X-Message-Number: 18932
From: 
Date: Wed, 17 Apr 2002 21:08:10 EDT
Subject: "Crossing Jordan" cryonics episode

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Hello, Cryoneters:

Did anyone else catch the TV series "Crossing Jordan" last Monday, April 15?

Crossing Jordan is a fiction show in which Jordan Cavenagh, played by Jill 
Hennesy, is a coroner.  It is generally a pretty well done, thought provoking 
show, with likable and believable characters one can care about.  And 
interesting moral dilemma themes occasionally.  

This episode has a subplot in which a "stiff" is wheeled into the coroner's 
office in a high tech looking transport cart with various high tech equipment 
attached to it, including a thumper to continue blood flow.  

One of the coroners, nicknamed "Bug" is determined to autopsy the "corpse."  
This is totally forbidden by the slightly overdrawn and somewhat ridiculous 
but sincere cryonicist who is taking care of his "patient."  

Human conflict and some semi-high drama follows, highly reminiscent of the 
Dora Kent case, but fictionalized.  

"Bug" tells his colleagues that "Cryonics is a scam!  These folks are getting 
$120,000 for freezing DEAD people!  ...  But there is a discount alternative 
of $50,000 for the head only.  Someone is getting rich off of these poor 
deluded people."

(Semi-funny aside...I think he means you, Jerry and Paula, and all you other 
overpaid ALCOR RICH GUYS.) LOL!!

While there was no direct reference or credit (or blame) given to ALCOR, the 
specifics of the cryonics protocols were clearly taken directly from ALCOR.  
The perfusionist even states these exact words, I believe:

"You are killing my patient!  We must get him VITRIFIED immediately!"

A compromise is reached by agreeing to perform "Surgery" on the 
corpse/patient (choose your term depending on your viewpoint).

In the end of the cryonics subplot, a large silver vertical DEWAR is rolled 
in for the cryonaut to be placed in, and most of the coroners provide a right 
arm (Hitleresque?) salute, and chant the phrase, "To LIFE EXPANSION!"  

I asked Paula Lemler today during a phone conversation if all these ALCOR 
specifics had been authorized.  She was quite emphatic in that NO permission 
to use these has been granted.  She did indicate there was a "Mystery Actor" 
who refused to provide his name who had sent a contingent of researchers to 
ALCOR central some time ago, with no follow through.  It is assumed this is 
where the plot points have come from. 

In summary, the spin on cryonics could have been better.  But it also could 
have been worse.  The perfusionist was depicted as scientific, dedicated, and 
sincere...but also kooky, abusive, and ridiculous.  He did manage to win over 
several of the coroners, and was able to prevent the autopsy. 

A victory for cryonics?  Perhaps.   

Any comments or observations by anyone who did or did not see this episode?


Rudi Hoffman
My website:  rudihoffman.com
Member Financial Planner's Association, Certified Planner 
Member ALCOR Life Extension Foundation  alcor.org
Member Libertarian Party    libertarianparty.org
Member National Rifle Association  nra.org
Member Extropy Institute   extropy.org
Senior Associate Foresight Institute  foresight.org
Board Member Port Orange Chamber of Commerce posd.com
Board Member Daytona Salvation Army  salvationarmy.org

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