X-Message-Number: 12493
From: 
Date: Sat, 2 Oct 1999 12:32:02 EDT
Subject: compromise

I guess I'll compromise between (1) not responding to Darwin's latest 
nastiness, thereby perhaps suggesting to some that I don't have an effective 
response, and (2) responding in full, with point-counterpoint, and raising 
the level of inflammation and turning off possible new cryonicists.

First, I thank Mike for his compliment, suggesting a comparison between me 
and Isaac Newton, who was a major genius but also an "S.O.B." 

As to who is really the S.O.B., who is really "duplicitous," who has told the 
lies and done the damage--those interested may consult the archives and the 
old-timers with stories to tell. But I'll note a couple of small points, 
easily verified, that may be suggestive.

First, in the course of his constant mixture of bragging and whining, Darwin 
has publicly admitted, repeatedly, that he is chronically sleep-deprived and 
on heavy medication.  This naturally contributes to intellectual and 
emotional instability. 

For a very plain example, look at recent posts. A few days ago he said one of 
his colleagues worked 10,000 hours a year--more hours than there are in a 
year. A minor point, and a trivial error, no doubt. But the next day, after 
having this brought to his attention and focus, he corrected himself by 
saying he meant 1,000 hours--which averages less than 3 hours per day, not 
exactly the heavy overtime he was implying. First error--smile. Second 
error--frown.

I will also note, although I can't prove it without divulging names which I 
was asked to keep confidential, that from time to time I receive messages 
from some of Darwin's colleagues expressing regret for his outbursts, which 
"serve no useful purpose," and assuring me that they do not represent the 
attitudes of others at 21CM.   

On the sin of my not attending 21CM briefings:  First, I hate to travel, and 
in recent years it has become impractical anyway. More importantly, I am not 
smart enough to learn much by glancing around a room at some equipment and 
listening to some fast jabber. I need documents to study at leisure, and I 
have all the tapes and printed material that 21CM has offered, as well as 
commentary on this material by Ben Best and others. 

Finally, to those newcomers or late comers who may be put off or deflected by 
"infighting"-

There are really far fewer unbalanced people in cryonics than you might 
expect in a movement as revolutionary as ours. If you attend meetings of any 
of the organizations--highly recommended--you will find, with inevitable 
exceptions, that most are very solid citizens with a very conventional range 
of views on most topics. They also tend to be much better educated and better 
informed than average.

As for choices, what you obviously need to do is, first, study all of the web 
sites (we have links to all the others on our site), make any further 
inquiries you wish, visit facilities, attend meetings, and make your 
assessment. You must try to strike a balance between too much delay, which 
can be fatal, and insufficient due diligence, which can lead to errors.

Robert Ettinger
Cryonics Institute
Immortalist Society
http://www.cryonics.org

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