X-Message-Number: 30071 From: Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2007 09:39:45 EST Subject: More on cryonics marketing, response to Chris Manning In a message dated 11/27/2007 5:01:31 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, writes: Chris Manning wrote re: my post: It seems to me that what it comes down to is that David seeks to promote cryonics in ways of which you disapprove. Writing for academic journals *may* achieve some effect, so we can at least say that it is no worse than doing nothing. Don't you think your criticism might be better directed against the many people who do nothing to promote cryonics, or, worse still, would seek to oppose it? 1. Actually, Chris, I am completely in favor of any and all legitimate scientists promoting cryonics in scientific and academic journals. Including David S. And, even more impactful, demonstrably, articles in scientifically and philisophically popular magazines like Discover, Reason, Scientific American, Life Extension, and Free Inquiry. I was personally made aware and recruited to cryonics as a direct result of an article and advertisement in the (now unfortunately defunct) pop sci magazine "OMNI". A rather high number of cryonics signups resulted from this article/contest/ad. (I think it was Charles Platt who primarily made this happen, BTW, and genuine credit should be due folks who get cryonics in venues that are actually read by large numbers of people.) And I respect the fact that David S., and others reading this bulletin board, are doing something rather than nothing. It was an especially meaningful and high content post by Shannon Vyff today, for instance, outlining her admirable and effective efforts to promote the extension and preservation of individual humans. So, my apologies if my observations about DS seemed mean spirited, instead of appropriate and nuanced. Coming from a background of academia, (my dad was a college prof, my sister is a college prof, my grandfather a university president for 39 years) I am not against academia or academics in general. I am a bit oversensitive to the occasional arrogance that tends to arise in some people in the insulated world of academia. Folks who presume that they can tell exactly what needs to occur having had little or no experience in a given field of endeavor, or expect us to honor their observations overmuch because of credentials instead of the intrinsic value of the observation, are annoying. You can make up your own mind whether DS falls into the above category for you personally. Perhaps his activities have been a huge contribution, and some of us are simply ignorantly unaware of this. Meanwhile, to his credit, DS has been doing something rather than nothing. There are, BTW, people who most of the cryonics community would rather HAVE doing nothing, like our Canadian friend "whose name mustn't be mentioned" (hope you've all seen Harry Potter!). But I don't think David S. is one of these. He is probably a pretty good guy in many ways, and he is doing what he can to promote the credibility and protect cryonics, in his own way. And I usually let his comments go unchallenged or challenged by someone with more talent and time than I have. I like the folks I meet at conferences, and many of my cryonics clients, who have INCREDIBLE academic credentials, multiple advanced degrees, and enormous real world accomplishments...and who don't even bother to put letters after their names. Most of us who are truly involved in any particular field of endeavor probably have pretty good idea of who is doing the most effective work. At some level of the game, reputations begin to speak for themselves. Regretfully, those of us who are "in the misty flats" still need and use academic credentials...I have three of the most prestigious credentials in my field after my name and use them often. It is my fervent desire to be a genuinely "good" human being. I think it especially encumbent on people who maintain an atheistic, agnostic, bright, skeptical worldview to demonstrate ethics and virtue to the greatest degree possi ble. And for this reason, I resolve to be "sparing in my criticism, and hearty in my approbation and praise." Especially for the charming collection of early adopting pioneers who recognize the potential of cryonics. In conclusion, sorry if had a bad, innappropriate, or unhelpful post. Let's all do what we can to make this world work for everyone. Publish on, David S. and others! Have a good day. If we can't make today worthwhile and fun, seeking immortality may not be that good an idea. Today IS your life, your moment to moment experience of existence...let's try and make it fun. Rudi Rudi Richard Hoffman CFP CLU ChFC I am proud to support Ron Paul for President--Google Ron Paul Board Member Financial Planning Association fpafla.com Board Member Salvation Army salvationarmy.org Member Alcor Life Extension Foundation alcor.org Certified Financial Planner(TM) CFP Board of Standards Member Libertarian Party libertarianparty.org Member National Rifle Association nra.org Member World Transhumanist Association http://transhumanism.org/ World's Leading Cryonics Insurance Provider rudihoffman.com **************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001) Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" [ AUTOMATICALLY SKIPPING HTML ENCODING! ] Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=30071