X-Message-Number: 12872
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 06:57:14 -0500 (EST)
From: Charles Platt <>
Subject: Re: CryoNet #12865 - #12870

To George Smith:

> I am surprised that you find the need to state that I am "ranting" and
> "deluded".

Sorry, George. But you do seem a bit deluded to me, and your denunciation 
did seem to qualify as a rant. From my perspective, there are many rants 
on CryoNet, and many of them are deluded.

> Is it not true that at least one major researcher declared current cryonics
> a "failure" this year while still promoting funding research instead?

If you're responding to the idiosyncratic pulpit-thumping of one
particular person, it might help to name that person instead of
generalizing. At this point I think this, er, unnamed person speaks only
for himself. But even he, so far as I know, has not suggested that anyone
should cancel arrangements for cryopreservation and divert the money to
research. I believe he is still signed for cryopreservation himself. 

> My entire statement was taken out of context.  My statement was in direct
> reference to those IN GENERAL who believe the current state of cryonics to
> be poor or unworkable

All right, but those IN GENERAL have never suggested diverting
cryopreservation funds for research. In fact I believe virtually all
donations for research (e.g. for the hippocampal brain slice project which
was initiated by Paul Wakfer) come from people who are already signed up
for cryonics. I mean, why should anyone who is NOT signed up, give money
for research into cryonics? 

> The word "like" is critical here.  I was discussing the effects of public
> statements of those IN GENERAL who have a low opinion regarding the
> "probability of success with current methods" upon those who have not yet
> decided to sign up for cryonics.

During the period when Alcor was publishing a monthly magazine 
emphasizing grim realities as opposed to upbeat speculation, the 
organization enjoyed faster growth than any other cryonics organization 
in history. None of the many people who share your beliefs has ever been 
able to explain this.

Your apology is appreciated and accepted, though I hardly think it was 
necessary. I assume spirited discussion is legitimate here.

--CP

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