X-Message-Number: 10455
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 09:56:50 -0400
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: CryoNet #10450 - #10452

HI everyone!

Charles Platt and den Otter bring up the basic problem that has troubled
cryonics ever since it began. In order to effectively support research,
you need a certain number of members. The number of members may vary
a bit depending on just how much they're willing to donate, but it 
should be clear that in every case the average donation of time and
money from each member will have a limit --- in practical terms, much
less than sackcloth and ashes.

And of course supporting research (and actually getting results from
that research) will have a considerable role in recruitment of new
members. No, I doubt we'd see any sudden upsurge any more than before,
but if we were known to be progressing in our aims then its fair to 
think that more people would join.

So we started too small to support research, and still can barely do
so. This naturally means that our rate of growth of membership 
remains about what it has been. The same may be said for ANY thing
we might do to promote the growth of cryonics. Small numbers mean
(relatively) small funding which means small numbers which mean ....

Still, Alcor (the only society which openly lists its membership
numbers) has clearly grown over the years. And Saul Kent, one of the
early cryonicists, has (with Bill Faloon) slowly acquired more
resources.

If we avoid any catastrophes, in 20 years, whether or not current
research efforts take us very far, we'll probably be able to 
support significantly MORE research (plus all the other things a 
group needs to grow). No one should go about blaming others for
this condition. It comes with the territory of smallness. And even
though it hurts, I think that patience here is needed and useful.

			Best and long long life to all,

				Thomas Donaldson

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