X-Message-Number: 22894 Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2003 21:35:13 -0500 From: RANDY WICKER <> Subject: Ponzi Game? --Boundary_(ID_OG74j+74dlzEqh+/AHmUvQ) Content-type: text/plain; charset=Windows-1252 Ponzi Game? In #22882, Eugen Leitl says in a long and intelligent post: CI's $28,000 will one day be forced to increase for example. In 20 years, CI will be forced to ask something between $40,000 and $60,000 for the same service (if you assume they calculate with a 2%+ inflation each year). Assuming a 3% inflation each year, CI will charge $70,000 for it's suspensions in ~31 years from now.. So even if you take a $100,000 life insurance now, it will be useless in ~40 years So if you have the money and you're certain that the CI is the right investment, pay it soon. This saves you a lot of money in the long run, and gives you a good feeling in addition. I am not being cynical accusatory nor negative here. However, despite the idealistic good intentions of those involved, it seems to me that all cryonics organizations are essentially what are sometimes described as Ponzi games in financial circles. I know this isn t intentional. I understand some cryonic ventures have gone out of business because they under-priced their services. However, if you think in terms of either CI s $28,000 or Alcor s $128,000 price tag, these groups are essentially promising to keep you in liquid nitrogen forever (as long as necessary until you can be revived). I think the structure is actually rather sound insofar as those running these organizations take their obligation to preserve you seriously because they know they will someday join you in the ranks of the preserved , suspended , etc. However, if it takes longer than many suspect 100 years, 200 years, 1000 years before such revival is possible, these organizations depend on an ever expanding membership to keep their forbearers preserved. Indeed, if the time frame is even one-hundred-plus years in the future, many seem to think the entire world will be faced with extinction through an ozone-short induced heat wave. Cryonics seems to be faced with a problem unique in history. How do we fashion institutions that will endure through decades/centuries regardless of changing governments and world environments? Do the math yourself. Regardless of the amount paid, what is the cost of storage per person per year? And how many years will the paid fee cover before more financing is necessary? The concept of succeeding generations working to revive generations lost is both heroic and romantic. However, the numbers look like we might be embarking on a great Ponzi game. Randolfe (Randy) Wicker Founder, Clone Rights United Front, www.clonerights.com Member, Immortalist Society --Boundary_(ID_OG74j+74dlzEqh+/AHmUvQ) Content-type: text/html; charset=Windows-1252 [ AUTOMATICALLY SKIPPING HTML ENCODING! ] Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=22894