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. 

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