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

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World's Leading Cryonics Insurance Provider  rudihoffman.com



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