X-Message-Number: 20040 Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 12:31:54 -0400 (EDT) From: Charles Platt <> Subject: Position at Alcor I would like to elaborate on Dr. Jerry Lemler's brief announcement of my new association with Alcor. Earlier this year, Alcor did something which I think no other organization in our field has ever done: It commissioned an outside group, primarily consisting of researchers in relevant fields, to evaluate and report on Alcor procedures during all phases of cryopreservation, from standby to long-term maintenance in liquid nitrogen. With commendable courage and trust, the organization opened itself totally. Nothing was held back. As a tech journalist, I participated in gathering data about Alcor, and I helped to write the report. The purpose of this exercise was to insure that Alcor continues to provide the best possible service to its members, consistent with current knowledge of cryobiology and previous hands-on experience in cryonics. I was very impressed by Alcor's willingness to take this initiative. It marked a turning point for me. The immediate consequence was that I began to participate in cryonics cases (three so far, this year). This showed me that I could make a contribution, and the contribution might be well received. Concurrently I had quit my regular writing gig for Wired magazine, and was not entirely enthusiastic about returning to the book publishing business. I needed to find an alternate focus for my energies which would feel important and rewarding. In addition to helping to write the committee report (which consumed six weeks, on and off) I had produced two issues of an Alcor newsletter. I started a construction project for a piece of equipment that Alcor would use, and I presented to Dr. Lemler a list of other projects that I would be happy to tackle. Two or three weeks passed, during which I believe he consulted other people. I was extremely surprised when Dr. J got back to me and asked if I would be interested in taking on the task of Director of Suspension Services, if Alcor's board of directors would approve. I knew that the position was open, and I knew how urgently someone was needed to fill it. Since I had participated in eight cryonics cases over the past ten years, I knew exactly what would be involved. I decided that it was something that I would feel good about doing. In fact I can't think of anything else that seems so worthwhile. Therefore I was happy to say "yes." On Sunday, I met privately with Alcor board members and Dr. Lemler, and answered many questions about my past experience, skills, and commitment. The board then approved my association with Alcor. Now for the hard part. This is a punishing job. I have seen several good, highly motivated people burn out in this job. I have no illusions about it. But there comes a time (or at least, there _should_ come a time) when someone who has been critical of cryonics procedures in the past should be compelled to get out of his chair and go into the field and prove whether he can do any better. Fortuitously, I have achieved a friendly working relationship with the people who work at Alcor currently. If they have reservations about me, they have been polite enough not to mention them. I have certainly been made to feel welcome. I think this is a very exciting time in Alcor's history. Although I was extremely skeptical of Dr. Lemler's initial ambitions to be an "inclusionary" CEO, he has confounded my skepticism by gathering a diverse variety of skilled and talented people, some of whom were not formerly known for their ability to work easily together. This is a major achievement in cryonics, where fragmentation, rather than cohesion, is the norm, and good management has been extremely rare. Maybe this sounds like corporate PR, but I really do feel that Alcor has great potential at this time, and I would be missing a unique opportunity if I didn't try to participate to the full extent of my abilities. I can't deny that I have expressed concerns in the past about the longterm chances for resuscitation of cryopatients. My statements on this topic are all on the record. But I have also said, many times, that future improvements in cryonics require us to make two difficult commitments. First, we have to face facts instead of reassuring ourselves that somehow everything will be taken care of, with minimal effort on our part. And second, having recognized where the challenges lie, we should do what we can to address them and improve our chances, whatever they may be. I see this as the primary task for Alcor's director of suspension services. --Charles Platt Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=20040