X-Message-Number: 1751
Date: Mon, 15 Feb 93 18:46:36 PST
From: Lola McCrary <>
Subject: CRYONICS: Worldcon in San Francisco

Message: #1748 - Worldcon in San Francisco
From:	Ben Best <>

     As may of you know, the World Science Fiction Convention
(WorldCon) will be in San Francisco on the 1993 Labour Day Weekend. I
am planning to attend, and I do not think that it is too early to begin
making plans. Being located in California, it is certain to be a magnet
for a large number of cryonicists and a large number of potential
cryonicists.

     I have heard that some cryonicists are already making plans for
WorldCon, and I would like to see a co-ordination of efforts through
CryoNet (where Steve Bridge, Keith Henson and Charles Platt -- among
those most likely to get involved -- are contributors). Specifically,
I would like to know if plans have been made for a Party Suite or a
panel -- or if anyone is willing to be on a panel. And if we *can*
arrange a panel, what would the topic be: "Immortality in Science
Fiction"? or "Is Cryonics Science Fiction?" or ???? Coming-up with
imaginative/interesting panel topics and speakers for those panels
is the key to good outreach. I will take the initiative to attempt to
arrange a panel if I am not duplicating others' effors, if a topic
can be agreed-upon, and a number of panel participants are found.

              -- Ben Best (ben.best%)

Ben--

Thanks for your interest.  Alcor North has already begun organizing our
presence at Worldcon.  I am presently co-ordinating at least the Party Suite,
and have done some prelim work on panels.

Here is a status report:

PARTY SUITE:  The most recent progress report for ConFrancisco had a list of
the hotels and where the parties will be.  

The Parc Fifty-five is listed as the party hotel, and the rate listed for a
quad (four people sharing one room) is $118 per night.  There are no rates
listed for suites, but instead a contact person.  At other cons I've attended
the party suites usually have two bedrooms with four beds.  That could sleep up
to eight.  I expect that the fees for the suites will be high, and the plan is
that the cost will be split up among those using the suite as their
accomodations for the con.

We plan to have parties on Friday and Saturday night (possibly Sunday if there
is interest and/or food left).  We will need donations to cover the cost, and
donations of goodies for the parties.

I will contact ConFrancisco about the rates for a suite, and post back to the
mailing list.

Anyone interested in sharing the cost of the room, and or making donations can
contact me.

PANELS: Howard Davidson is head of science programming, and when I spoke to him
he was open to the idea of at least a nano panel, probably with Ralph Merkle as
a speaker.

I would agree with Ben that at this point we would need to present concrete
proposals for panels: Topics and possible speakers.  If Ben wants to take over
co-ordinating that part of it, that's fine with me.

We might make use of the _Omni_ contest.  For example, if the person who wins
the contest *happens* to be at ConFrancisco, having him or her on the panel
might be a draw.  

We might also consider a very technical panel on the feasiblity of cryonics, as
well as a literary and/or medica discussion panel.

It would probably help if we generated some interest in cryonics panels from
people who will be going to ConFrancisco.  An email note to them would get
forwarded to the correct person...

TABLES:  The Dealer's room is reserved out, and Alcor is on a waiting list for
a table.  We are also on a list in case they have free tables for non-profit
groups.  If either of these pan out we will need volunteers to staff them.

As long as Kevin doesn't mind, this is a fine place to brainstorm.  If you are
interested in donating or sharing the cost of the suite, email me though.
Thanks.

Lola McCrary


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