X-Message-Number: 17537
Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2001 21:53:18 -0700
From: Mike Perry <>
Subject: Re: Alcor's safety

Several people have commented on the issue of relocating a cryonics 
facility to better deal with the possibility of terrorism and unrest in the 
new century, which may indeed prove to be a violent one, despite all hopes 
to the contrary. In the case of Alcor we have a facility now located in a 
metropolitan area which could put it at considerably more risk than if, for 
instance, it were out of town in the surrounding desert (though still in 
the open), or, going a big step further, in an abandoned missile site. One 
concern here would be the availability of liquid nitrogen or other 
necessary resources. A metro area will generally allow easier access, 
through more different routes, at least assuming it has not been put out of 
commission itself. To move to a rural area would, it seems, require some 
serious thought on massive bulk storage of LN2 and/or means of 
manufacturing it on site. The difficulties would increase if higher 
temperature storage were contemplated. Probably these problems are all 
addressable in principle, but, as usual, the limiting factor is money. 
Another thought is to attempt to have it both ways by moving to the 
outskirts of the city, a semi-rural environment but still with good access.

It is also suggested that money that would be required for a landmark 
public facility like the Timeship would be better spent making a facility 
that is less conspicuous and more secure. I will say that I like the 
Timeship concept, and very much wish it *could* succeed; however, the 
difficulties seem formidable. If successful it could indeed sway world 
opinion toward immortalism, fostering progress and even saving many lives. 
But this is hardly guaranteed. The public could simply remain apathetic, 
meaning that the prodigious funding needed for the project would be largely 
wasted, even though the structure itself might not be threatened. Or it 
could become a target of violent religious or other extremists, who would 
see the things it stood for as an unacceptable challenge to their cherished 
beliefs. So I have mixed feelings on the Timeship project at this point, 
and am not a strong supporter; perhaps in a few years the outlook will be 
different.

To return to Alcor's present facility, it has been pointed out that it 
might be especially vulnerable to fire or break-ins. The problem of 
security has long been of concern here, and one can expect that measures 
will be in effect which, for security reasons of their own, are not fully 
detailed to the public, though general indications will have been given. So 
the situation could seem more precarious than it is, at least where human 
malfeasance would be involved, and it is worthwhile to consult management 
and other sources in forming an opinion. To comment more specifically, 
"armor plating has been installed along one wall to replace and enhance the 
shielding formerly provided by the concrete vaults" (*Cryonics*, 1Q 2000, 
p. 43). This is not to deny, however, that security could  be improved, and 
in particular, that ideas about moving to a new site are worth considering.

Another point made is that the storage operation might be moved to a rural 
area while the suspension facility would stay in the city. This would 
certainly have advantages, and overall I favor it, though the presumed 
added cost could be an obstacle. Once again, money is the limiting factor.

Mike Perry
Alcor employee (and member), not speaking for my employer. 

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