X-Message-Number: 23708
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 05:19:02 -0800
Subject: Re: Stem cell research - Sweden and cryonics
From: Kennita Watson <>

"Daniel Johansson" <> wrote:
> Hi everyone!

Greetings, Daniel!
> ...
> 1) First a comment on the mail entitled "Pentagon Bankrolls Swedish 
> Stem
> Cell Study". This is actually something that is happening a lot these
> days... The US limitations on this research
> has led to a lot of research being moved here. I believe this will
> increase in the coming years if the legislation in the US is not
> changed.

Which I'm guessing it won't until our military gets involved -- just
a guess.
>
> 2) Second a comment on Sweden as a possible cryonics facility country.
> At the moment the legislation in Sweden does not make the cryonic
> procedure and cryonic storing of frozen human bodies possible. But, the
> subject of cryonics from a swedish point of view has never been up on
> the political table, the public awareness is very low that it even
> exists, and the question itself has never been asked. The legislation
> has never been challenged from the cryonic view.

I'm confused.  If the question has never come up, just what is it
that's prohibited?

> ... I believe cryonics really could boom in
> this country! Someone has to start the work though... :)

I hesitate to mention it, but Trygve Bauge
>
> 3) And finally a comment on the Frozen Dead Guy subject. I do not think
> the event is good for the long time public awareness of cryonics as a
> scientific field and as serious business, and there might be a lot of
> misconceptions if this is the only contact people get with cryonics. It
> might be good as a first "starter" to get to know that there actually 
> is
> something like cryonics (although perhaps the public in the US are much
> more aware of the cryonics concept then here in Sweden).

Probably somewhat, because of the Ted Williams flap.  So, I will
go into this with most people having heard of cryonics as a scam
(Ted's "greedy son") as a joke (FDGD), or as a crackpot homebrew
denial-burial (husband in Arizona).  I can turn around anyone I
talk to, but I'll need to figure out how to turn around people
who don't get to talk to me, but for some reason know I'm there
(how, I haven't thought of yet).

>  The ones really
> interested in the subject will of course then find the developed
> cryonics business and hopefully get signed.

I want to make this easy for them.  Does it make sense to limit
access to the contact information in some way?  Maybe to people
who ask for it specifically?  Or won't people who aren't
interested bother to pick it up?  Oh -- I'll want to make sure
to have a disclaimer on any literature that states "Organizations
listed here are not affiliated with and do not necessarily endorse
the Frozen Dead Guy Days.".  Maybe that's obvious, but I want to
get all these things down in writing and in public so they can be
commented on.

>  This goes also for the
> headlines about boys being brought back to life after half on hour in
> cold water etc. BUT it is extremely important that CI, Alcor, and other
> developed and experienced companies in the cryonics field have easy
> explanations and short understandable facts on the differences between
> homegrown cryonics and cryonics as a scientific field and business 
> area.

Understood.  I will be working on flyers/position papers/etc.
that make these as clear as possible.  When the initial tumult and
flurry of inputs dies down, I'll be taking what I've gleaned so
far and starting on that work.  Studying Web sites and FAQs,
contacting Publicity Chairs of various organizations, etc.

> By doing this the seriously interested hopefully sees the difference 
> and
> take the next step in getting more information. We do not need more 
> "new
> age" and "crazy whacko" approaches to cryonics. We need scientists,
> universities, companies, politicians, high level people in society to
> comment repeatedly in favourable ways in media of cryonics, no more
> headlines about "those strange people"...

Hm.  I don't think I'll cause there to be more headlines than
there otherwise would be.  I'm not sure how to get scientists et
al. into the media to make positive comments on cryonics that
people would be interested in.  That's what the aforementioned
Publicity Chairs should already be working on.  When I've
gathered their names, I'll forward them so anyone interested can
help them get out those messages (I presume they'll be glad of
help from more pliable persons than myself :-) ).  I have my "pet
project", but just one will probably not be enough to turn the
tide of public policy and opinion in our favor.

> In my own business we always have ONE media responsible (or two if 
> there
> is big events).

I looked at your Web site.  What is your own business?  I saw
at least five.

>  All questions, and all public appearances are forwarded
> to this spokesperson. In cryonics it sometimes seems as if anyone that
> likes to do it can be a spokesperson... Would it not be a good idea 
> that
> members ALWAYS discuss media matters and public affairs with the person
> really responsible for it in the organization we are connected to?

It sounds good, but I don't know as it's practical, especially
for talking to random people attending a festival.  I guess it
would be possible, if a reporter asked for Alcor's official
position on some issue, for me to direct them to the Publicity
Chair.

Actually, while I am an Alcor member, I don't necessarily intend
to speak for them specifically; but people may well ask which
organization I belong to, and I'd tell them.  Just a random fact
to keep in mind in your deliberations.

Live long and prosper,
Kennita
--
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
none but ourselves can free our minds.
           -- Bob Marley, "Redemption Song"

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