X-Message-Number: 16124
From: 
Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 00:17:20 EDT
Subject: Darwin is *BACK*

Hello, Dear cryoneters and lurkers,

Rudi Hoffman writing from Daytona, FL here.

I for one am delighted to see the recent postings of Mike Darwin.
And I join with John Grigg and others who wish him and Shaun well in the new 
Kryos adventure.  

There are numerous questions I have about Kryos.  Mostly regarding the 
financial arrangements and how they are to be funded, what there costs for 
services are, do they encourage insurance, how the financial long term 
stability can be assured,etc.  But these questions can wait for a time.  For 
now, we should take a moment to rejoice.

To see the clarity and practicality of Mike Darwin's writing is a joy.  I 
knew when I met Darwin at one of the earlier Alcor conventions and spent 
maybe 3 hours listening to his background and experiments and experiences, 
that this man is one of the most talented, intelligent, self-educated, 
scientific, brutally honest human beings I have ever met.  

It was also equally clear that this brilliance was wrapped in a personality 
that had, to be kind, some corrosive elements.  Even Darwin's admirers admit 
he can be difficult to work with.  And even his detractors admit his skill 
and knowledge of cryonics protocols are only possessed by maybe a few folks 
in the world currently.  (And I am just speculating on this...assuming folks 
like Brian Wowk and Greg Fahy, Linda Chamberlain, Jerry Lemler, etc. are able 
to handle the surgery/mechanics of cryonics work.  The skill sets involved in 
research may not overlap with surgical/cryopreserevation skill sets at all. 
Meaning Darwin may be uniquely qualified to do cryopreservation that will 
result in ACTUAL revival without nanotech.)

Anyway, what genuinely warms my heart is that Darwin is once again signed 
with Alcor, and seems to have his head on straight. 

I liked him a lot.  Was honored to meet him.  Don't know if I'd want to work 
with him on a daily basis...but I think he's a legit genius.

The cryonics community really *needs* Mike Darwin, IMHO.  I know there is a 
lot of you with some *serious* "history" good and bad with Mr. Darwin, and I 
hope we can all "just get along."   

So, we look forward to hearing more about Kryos, Mike and Shaun.
Your vision and hard work is appreciated.  

Warmly and Sincerely, 

Rudi Hoffman

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