X-Message-Number: 24657
From: 
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 2004 14:48:35 EDT
Subject: comparing organizations

Content-Language: en

 
It probably isn   t important, but it   s mildly annoying to see Joe Waynick  
misrepresenting Alcor vs. Cryonics Institute. One expects a bit of hype in  
competition, but too much is enough. 
Waynick says that Alcor is the    world leader in  cryonics, and cryonics 

research and technology.    I would never belittle the work done by Hugh  Hixon 
and 
others at Alcor, but the fact remains that CI is the only organization  with a 
research program led by a professional cryobiologist working full time.  
Waynick says Alcor is the only full-service organization in existence!  

Trying to figure out what this means, I conclude he means that only Alcor offers
traveling team service as a standard option. But in practice this option is  

frequently unavailable or worthless, as well as very expensive. If any CI member
 wants to pay what Alcor charges, including suspension fee, standby charges, 
and  dues, travel team service can easily be arranged. In fact, CI has a 

pending  agreement with Suspended Animation Inc. that will formalize one version
of 
this.  (But at much lower cost, local morticians can be given special 
training and  equipment.) 
CI does not claim superiority by every criterion. But we lead in patient  

population (66 to 65 at present) and we have been growing faster than Alcor in
recent years. It is also interesting to note that, when a member changes from  
one organization to another, it is almost always from some other organization  
and to CI, not the reverse.  
I have never met Joe Waynick but wish him and Alcor well. As to the  irritant 
of competitive barbs, I renew my suggestion of many years standing,  viz.: 
Let both organizations simply refrain from all comparisons or mention of  the 

other. If someone asks why the price difference etc., the answer should  simply

be:    Each organization speaks for itself. We will answer questions about  our
own organization, and it is up to the potential member to make comparisons  or 
draw conclusions.    I think both organizations would gain in dignity and  
credibility. 
Robert Ettinger  


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