X-Message-Number: 1460
Date: 17 Dec 92 08:02:32 EST
From: Paul Wakfer <>
Subject: The Ongoing Process of Decision at Alcor

The Ongoing Process of Decision at Alcor

    I believe that the characterization, by many postings, of those
involved in the 'process of decision of the goals and methods of
Alcor' which has being taking place for the past several months, as
being people who are 'playing politics', 'squabbling', 'enjoying
fighting', etc. is largely mistaken and downright insulting to those
of us who are intensely concerned with the future of cryonics.  There
are real, and very important issues at stake and those issues are the
true substance of the so called 'political' dialogues that have been
taking place.
    Most of us are NOT playing politics.  We are attempting to present
a reasoned (and yes, often subjective) case for our opinion of the way
Alcor should operate as opposed to the way is has been operating.  We
are NOT just trying to cause trouble.  If we really believed that
Alcor could succeed as it has been operating, we wouldn't have said
anything.  It is completely true, as most of us have stated many
times, that for a long time we suffered quietly the many things that
we saw wrong about the operation of ALCOR, or politely, in friendship,
tried to point out the deficiencies to management.  It was only when
our suggestions were continually ignored and, in fact, things got much
worse, so bad that the future of Alcor, and, because of Alcor's pre-
eminent position, the future of cryonics, was at stake that we had to
act knowing full well that cryonics would be damaged in the process. 
Obviously, we believed it would be less damaged than if we did NOT
act.
    If anyone should be maligned, it is those who have NOT taken part
in this process.  Remember: 'The hottest place in Hell is reserved for
those who in a time of crisis do nothing'.  Yes, unfortunately, there
are many taking part in the process who have resorted to politics
rather than rational, sincere, truthful presentation of facts and
expressions of opinion.  But even those I classify as morally superior
to the ones, who express disdain at the whole process and purport to
be above it all.  If you think that you don't know enough about the
people and the issues to have an opinion, then if you care about
cryonics, you should damn well find out enough.  Certainly you have no
right whatsoever to criticize those who believe that they DO know
enough to express their opinion.
    We are a group of intelligent, determined individualists trying to
achieve a collective purpose.  There are major differences of opinion
on what is the best way to achieve the goals (and even major
differences of opinion on what the goals are!).  It is fruitless to
say lets stop fighting and get on with the common cause.  WE ARE NOT
FIGHTING!!!  We CAN NOT get on with the common cause (and I'm not sure
that even the cause is totally common!) if we each have vastly
differing ideas as to what getting on with it means.  We have no
alternative but to pursue a dialogue to attempt to reach a consensus
and a decision concerning how Alcor should operate.  If and as we find
we cannot reach such a decision, then each of us must decide whether
to stick with Alcor in spite of the faults which we see or we must go
our separate ways to further our goals as we see fit, banding together
with those who do agree with us.
    What Saul, I and others attempted to do was to demonstrate to the
Board that the vast majority of the active clients of Alcor want
changes.  I believe it is unquestionably clear that we have done just
that and yet certain members of the Board are so pigheaded that they
have not recognized and acceded to this fact.  Unfortunately, because
of the way that Mike Darwin set up Alcor (and he certainly regrets it
now), the Board can thumb their collective noses at their clients for
as long as they don't go broke (which by the way things are set up
will be a very long time).
    If you believe and care that Alcor is being damaged in this
process, and I agree, it certainly is, then you cannot afford to
remain aloof.  At the least, don't blame the large majority who want
change, blame those who are determined to cling to power and control,
and to go down fighting even though they take cryonics with them.

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