X-Message-Number: 11405
From: "Robert Moore" <>
Subject: Celebrities and Cryonics
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 10:09:24 PST

Some thoughts and observations:  

Axiom:  People do move in crowds and follow "leaders."

I remember as child a well-know celebrity was cremated and his ashes 
were scattered solemnly to the sea.  This romantic idea of becoming one 
with the ocean after death, gave many of my family and friends a 
positive impression about cremation.

This change resulted in my mother 20 years later being cremated, 
something that earlier would have been considered very eccentric!

Try a few thought experiments on the effect of the following on public 
opinion of cryonics:
1. After being pronounced clinically dead, Princess Di, as per her 
previously stated wishes, is rushed into cryonic suspension.
2. Michael Jackson announces he will be frozen after he dies.
3. Former President Reagan's family has said they will have him frozen 
after death.
4. Sadaam Hussein orders his doctor's to immerse him in liquid nitrogen 
when he dies.
5. The US Surgeon General choose cryosuspension.

Also think about whether it would be good or bad publicity if the 
celebrities "made a big deal" about their choice and spoke about it 
often. (I think it would make them look eccentric)

Think also about the following:  By putting his name and face on 
millions of life insurance ads, did Ed McMahon enhance the reputation of 
life insurance or damage his own reputation?  (Answer: Damage his own.) 
Did it result in more sales or fewer sales? (Answer: More)

Regarding whether cryonics organizations should offer free suspensions 
to celebrities.  Does anybody really care whether Michael Jordan paid 
for his Nikes or not?

My personal conclusions, based on the thought experiments:
1,  Having celebrities sign up and actually undergo suspension would be 
VERY good publicity.
2.  Having a celebrity spokesperson could range from somewhat positive 
to somewhat negative, and is probably not worth the cost and risk.
3. Giving a freebie to a respected celebrity would have no effect on 
publicity.
4. Actions speak louder than words.  It's enough that Michael Jordan 
wears Nikes.  If he went around talking about Nike all the time, it 
would detract from the message.
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