X-Message-Number: 13583 From: "john grigg" <> Subject: Feeling the guilt so badly!!! (and I should too!) Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2000 17:24:13 PDT Rudi Hoffman wrote: Many people reading this posting this very moment, however, do not have funding in place to make their suspension a reality. I am amazed at this. Many people who post regularly here-- and are often even highly opinionate--are "closet corpses" who in reality do not have solid funding in place. (end) Rudi, I am feeling so guilty!! I am one of those "closet corpses" who post regularly! you continue: Dave Pizer, (and I know that because you are fellow business man you already know this), please know that many people may have an opinion about cryonics and community, but on the part of many cryonicists there is an unfortunate lack of "follow through" when it comes to actually putting even relatively small amounts of money to make dreams reality. How do I know that there are dilettantes and hypocrites (for lack of better word) who regularly post here? (end) Do you mean cryonicists putting forth money to fund research? Ranging from those who are multi-millioniares to middle-class? Saints Saul Kent and Wil Faloon being the notable and blessed exceptions? you continue: I know this because I have had the opportunity to correspond with quite a few people who are regular contributors to this board. These hypocrites have initiated correspondence with me regarding funding. BUT...THEY have NEVER followed through, with me or other insurance vendors. I know this through checking with Linda Chamberlain (Alcor) and Andy Zawacki (Cryonics Institute). (end) I am one of those people who have initiated contact with you regarding a life insurance policy but NEVER followed through. I apologize. you continue: Since we are talking monthly commitments that may be only $18 or $50 or $150 dollars per month, it is highly unlikely that they have set $120,000 aside to fund their suspensions. (end) Very, very unlikely!! you continue: I take my commitments seriously. Most of you do as well. I use my valuable time, professionalism, toll free number, overnight mail costs, and the tremendous effort it takes to get appropriate, detailed, and affordable proposals to people who have inquired. All this is to make their dream of biostasis (and potential immortality) a REALITY for individuals. And I am usually rewarded with equal candor, reliability, and responsibility by the responders. There are others who are attracted to cryonics, however, who are ASTONISHINGLY unreliable, have NO sense of business realities, and who will try to soak up your time like a sponge while they "hold court" telling you how you should do things. (end) In helping me Rudi you employed your 800 number, acquired shipping and postage costs, and used your valuable time to try to get me signed up at my own request. And you were a friend who took the time to get to know me as you did these things. I sincerely apologize. you continue: Dave, I know you are well aware of this "flake" syndrome. By the way, my wife fondly refers to many cryonicists as "Frosted Flakes". Some are flakier than others! :) Many reading this posting this very moment consider themselves "cryonicists" but have done ZERO to establish their funding! (end) I like the term your wife came up with. I remember reading posts by various prominent cryonicists about how cryonics can attract the "socially challenged" and this would make it harder to attract people with a higher E.Q.! lol I am a "Frosted Flake" of the extra flaky variety! lol I have done nearly zero myself to establish funding for myself. Contacting you was the first big step but I did not follow-up on it. you continue: If they live outside the United States this is understandable, as obtaining life insurance for the purpose of cryonic suspension is EXTREMELY difficult outside the United States. (I am the leading writer of cryostasis policies in the world, and I do NOT have any carriers that will write outside of the country. Although I am working on it diligently. Thanks for the continued "Non United States" inquiries, but I cannot write you yet!) (end) I am very fortunate to be living in the United States and be able to take advantage of what is here. Though living in Alaska puts me at the outer boundary of things. you end with: The above "rant" is hereby concluded. :) (end) Thank goodness! I am feeling very guilty right now, but that is as it should be. Rudi, I showed interest in what you offer as an insurance professional and with the best of intentions but being a $$ poor student without a solid job interfered with things. Still, I should have stayed in touch and not let things slide as I did. I am not done with college yet but I am working nearly full time now. So, I can shortly reconnect with you and this time really get a life insurance policy to achieve the main goal of a cryonics policy. I feel like Cryonet is the equivalent of watching a PBS fundraising drive!! As time goes by I get to feeling guiltier and guiltier, until I have to donate some money! Actually, come to think of it, I feel guilty but never donate any money at all!!! As the old saying goes "I needed that!" Your words were a pail of ice cold water splashed in my face that was for the best. Yesterday was my birthday. I turned the big "thirty-three!" best wishes, John Grigg http://members.delphi.com/starman125 the plane is not mine! The photos were taken last winter. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=13583