In the ever-evolving landscape of science fiction, the concept of cryogenic freezing has fascinated audiences for decades. From the icy sleep of ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ to the suspended animation of ‘Futurama’, the idea of pausing life to be reawakened in a distant future has sparked countless imaginations. But what happens when this sci-fi trope edges closer to reality? Enter 'revival trusts,' a financial innovation designed for those daring enough to bank on the future - literally.

The Birth of Revival Trusts

Revival trusts emerged as a novel response to the growing interest in cryogenic preservation. With advancements in medical technology, the possibility of freezing oneself at death with the hope of future revival has become more than just a futuristic dream. Revival trusts, therefore, serve as a financial safety net, ensuring that those who opt for cryogenic freezing will have assets waiting for them upon their hopeful resurrection.

The concept is simple: before undergoing cryogenic freezing, individuals set up a trust that manages and grows their assets over time. This trust is designed to be accessed only upon their revival, providing a financial cushion in what could be a radically different world.

How Do Revival Trusts Work?

Revival trusts operate on the principle of long-term financial growth. Assets placed in these trusts are typically managed by a trustee, who invests them in a diversified portfolio aimed at maximizing returns over what could be centuries. The idea is to harness the power of compound interest, ensuring that the frozen individual wakes up to a healthy financial reservoir.

However, setting up a revival trust isn’t as simple as tossing money into a bank account. These trusts must account for a plethora of factors, including:

– Inflation: Over the course of hundreds of years, inflation can drastically erode the purchasing power of money. Trustees must invest wisely to outpace inflation and preserve the real value of the trust’s assets.
– Legal Considerations: Revival trusts must navigate a complex web of legal frameworks, ensuring that the assets remain secure and accessible across potentially shifting political and economic landscapes.
– Technological and Societal Changes: What if society no longer uses currency as we know it today? Trustees must consider the possibility of radical shifts in economic systems and plan accordingly.

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The Science Behind Cryogenic Freezing

Cryogenic freezing, or cryonics, involves preserving a body at extremely low temperatures with the hope that future medical advancements will allow for revival and repair of any damage caused by the freezing process. While still in the realm of speculative science, cryonics has made significant strides. Cryopreservation of organs and embryos is already a reality, lending some credence to the possibility of whole-body preservation.

However, the challenges are immense. Current cryonics techniques can cause significant damage to cells and tissues, primarily due to ice crystal formation. Researchers are exploring cryoprotectants—substances that prevent ice formation—to mitigate these effects. Even if the biological hurdles are overcome, the revival process would require advancements in nanotechnology and regenerative medicine far beyond our current capabilities.

Possible Outcomes: A Mixed Bag of Futures

Revival trusts paint a picture of optimism, but the future is notoriously unpredictable. Here are some possible scenarios, ranging from the serious to the humorous:

– Inflation Woes: Imagine waking up to find that your trust has grown into a fortune, only to discover that inflation has rendered it insufficient for even a cup of coffee.
– Economic Evolution: Your assets were invested wisely, but the economy now operates on a cryptocurrency you never heard of, and your trustee didn’t account for the shift.
– Political Upheaval: The political landscape has changed dramatically, and your assets are now in a territory that no longer recognizes your ownership due to new laws or conflicts.
– Technological Advances: The world has advanced so much that the amount you saved is trivial, akin to finding an ancient coin and realizing its value has skyrocketed—or plummeted.

Cryonics and Sci-Fi: A Writer’s Playground

For science fiction authors, revival trusts and cryogenic freezing offer a fertile ground for storytelling. The potential scenarios are endless: a character awakens to a utopia, only to find their wealth meaningless; a dystopian future where revival trusts are the only hope for survival; or a comedic take where the protagonist’s assets are rendered obsolete by societal advancements.

Classic sci-fi has already laid the groundwork for such tales. Heinlein’s ‘The Door into Summer’ explores time travel and suspended animation, while Asimov’s ‘The Bicentennial Man’ delves into the quest for immortality. In the first season episode of ‘Futurama’, A Fishful of Dollars, Fry goes to a bank to discover the $.93 he had in his bank account in the year 2000 is, thanks to compounding interest, worth $4.3 billion dollars. (According to the writers of the show, they ran the math multiple time to make sure the numbers were accurate.) Modern authors can take inspiration from these giants, weaving new narratives that explore the interplay between technology, economy, and the human spirit.

Conclusion

Revival trusts are more than just a financial instrument; they are a testament to humanity’s enduring hope and our desire to transcend the limits of mortality. Whether viewed through a serious lens or a humorous one, the concept invites us to ponder the future and our place within it. As science fiction continues to blur the lines between the possible and the impossible, revival trusts stand as a fascinating example of life imitating art. So, next time you delve into a sci-fi novel, consider the implications of a world where cryogenic freezing and revival trusts are a reality—because the future might be closer than we think.

About Leif J. Erickson

Leif J. Erickson is a science fiction and fantasy author from a small farming community in west central Minnesota. Using his time wisely when he was a farmer, Leif developed many ideas, characters, and storylines to create over fifty unique first drafts and outlines for stories. From his start in a small town school, to college at North Dakota State University, back to his family farm, then to the bright lights of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and back to his small farming town, Leif has always had a love of writing.

When Leif isn’t writing he can be found with his wife hiking in state parks, canoeing local lakes and rivers, exploring local and regional ghost towns, experiencing museums, or simply reading or hanging out with friends and family. Leif draws on the local nature and ecology to find inspiration for his writing while he also asks what’s possible for technology and the human race, weaving them together for amazing stories that will stay with the reader for years to come. Leif looks forward to having many novel and story releases in the years to come.

You can see all of Leif’s Books here: Leif’s Amazon Author Page