X-Message-Number: 22398
From: "David Pizer" <>
Subject: Pizer replies to Mike
Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2003 03:28:06 -0700

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Reply to   from David Pizer

MIKE: Can someone tell me if Vitrification prevents the massive cell 
destruction that most of the commentors talk about.


PIZER: "Vitrification"  (the technology used now is in the early stages) causes 
less damage then the old fashioned way Alcor used to do suspensions.  But there 
is still some damage from the "vitrification" process being used today, just a 
lot less than there used to be.  The vitrification process will continue to get 
even better over time.


PIZER  When listing to opposition about cryonics, it helps to remember that 
there are two types  of opponents that talk about why cryonics won't work:  The 
ones who don't want it to work, and the ones who don't care (or even might want 
it to work), but honestly can't see how it will work.  It is the first type that
make the most outlandish statements against cryonics.  At present, no honest 
person (scientist, religious expert, doctor) can say for certain that cryonics 
won't work and give verifiable reason why it won't work and why it cannot work.


MIKE: Isn't it time for someone to clarify to the media of the recent changes in
suspension protocol and put some light on the subject. If it is not the case 
then I don't feel I should be considering myself as a potential cryonic 
candidate.


DAVID:  We can't do the impossible - force people to understand.  Alcor has 
notified the media - lots of times - about the new technology.  There are 
certain opponents that don't want cryonics to work, they don't want me nor you 
to have very long life, perhaps physical immortality.  They don't want to 
listen.  They don't want to understand.   There is no way to convince them.  
Some of them have media jobs.  Some are scientists.


So even though cryonics technology is getting better, and the ability to deliver
cryonics service is getting better, It is still the case that there is some 
risk in publicly opting for cryonics.  You risk being called "odd" or "bad."  
The alternative is to let them dictate to you what you will try to do with your 
life and what you will not.  In this case, they would help you to decide to 
accept eternal death instead of a chance at extended life or physical 
immortality.  Hang in there.  At some time in the future, all present cryoncists
will be called heroes and brave people instead of odd or bad.  If you did not 
sign up for cryonics, you probably won't be around to hear it.


MIKE: Also, with the LJ situation, it would appear that what Alcor or CI or any
facility needs so badly is money so we don't have to be held hostage to a 
situation whereby the lack of money and resources will probably doom the real 
prospect of successful suspensions.


DAVID:  You have hit on a subject very dear to me - getting Alcor more money.  I
am hoping that in the future Alcor will implement ways to increase their 
income.  But there are lots of decisions to be made in this area, and Alcor does
not want to make mistakes, so it may take a little time before they implement 
plans about ways that members can give money to Alcor and perhaps receive tax 
advantages to offset the amount given.  

MIKE: Any thoughts? Still waiting till things seem right in cryonic land.


DAVID  My thought would be that it is still better to get signed up now.  The 
benefit of the protection outweighs the potential risks of being considered odd 
by some people, at the present time.  There will always be some controversy, 
even when we have full-blown, reversible suspended animation there will be some 
people who will think it is wrong.  So why continue to take risks by not being 
signed up.  If you are young or old, there is always the chance of sudden death.
Also, the longer one waits, the more life insurance costs (what most people 
use to fund their suspension).  And sometimes when one waits, things happen that
prevent that person from being able to get any life insurance.

Even though I am very pro-Alcor, please remember that I only speak for myself.

David Pizer

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