X-Message-Number: 1368 Date: 28 Nov 92 03:12:51 EST From: Charles Platt <> Subject: CRYONICS First, I owe Keith Henson an apology. I suggested he was dishonestly implying that shrewd financial management had produced 60 percent average annual growth in the Patient Care "Trust" Fund. However, in the very next paragraph after the one that I complained about, he wrote, "you can easily see that 5/6ths or so of the growth in the PCTF came from suspensions." I overlooked this, probably because I blanked out, reading so much text. Which leads me to complain that once again, here on Cryonet, TEXT QUANTITY is getting out of hand. An unfortunate characteristic of Hensonage seems to be that it tends to create more Hensonage in response. As a result, even the most dedicated cryonics enthusiast may buckle under the pressure of prose--and turn away in disgust, saying, "Let the Board do whatever it wants, I've had all I can stand of this." Could it be that this is the secret motive behind Keith Henson's exhaustive, exhausting email? If so, by replying at equal length, his opponents are playing into his hands! Numbing the readership with Word Fatigue! During World War II, I believe Winston Churchill insisted that no memo should cover more than one side of a single sheet of paper. And that was cheap, mean British paper, a mere 8" by 10". Lastly: Courtney Smith has put it to me that "Alcor Critical Review" sounds too--well, critical. "Alcor Review" might be better. I think he's right. Everyone who has written to me (5 or 6 personal letters, plus 3 or 4 on the net) seems to like the idea of a newsletter which would act as a forum for complaints, questions, and suggestions. I am pursuing this further. But if I am the person who ends up compiling it, I would have to impose a strict wordage limit for each contributor. It would be more than one side of a single sheet of paper, but not MUCH more. --Charles Platt PS. Almost forgot to mention Dave Pizer's poetry. During various editorial jobs, I have read a lot of text, but have never seen anything quite like this literary equivalent of someone deliberately singing out of tune. Its awfulness is excused not only by its brevity, but its own pride in being awful. The triumph of ego over judgment. I love it. He should recite it at board meetings. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=1368