X-Message-Number: 30342
Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:01:45 -0500
From: "Charles Platt" <>
Subject: circumstantial evidence

David Stodolsky writes:

"Without some historical or demographic information, it is not
possible to draw any solid conclusions from this change."

Quite so. But in the absence of data, we can at least look at some
obvious circumstantial factors, such as the way in which the
organization communicates with members and potential members.

During the late 1980s Alcor published a monthly magazine that was
infused with drama. It presented cryonics as the most exciting
endeavor imaginable. The magazine was the primary recruitment tool at
that time, since the web site did not yet exist.

Currently Alcor's magazine appears only quarterly, and Alcor News has
been eviscerated.

In the magazine, the primary goal now seems to be reassurance.
Statements from management have a positive spin. Any problem or threat
is downplayed. The infrequency and lack of content in the magazine,
and the removal of almost all news from Alcor News, suggest that Alcor
now prefers to restrict its communication with members. Trying to
figure out what's really going on at Alcor by reading Cryonics
magazine is like trying to figure out the internal workings of the old
Soviet Union by reading Pravda.

Alcor's web site is an excellent reference resource, but it cannot
substitute for a printed news source. Life Extension Foundation
understands this distinction, which is why LEF maintains a monthly
printed publication in addition to a web site. And LEF's magazine is
full of drama--just like Cryonics magazine in the late 1980s.

Of course there are other contributory factors. However the change in
the way that Alcor communicates with its potential members is at the
very least symptomatic of a change in management philosophy--from
drama to reassurance, and from full disclosure to news control.

This is not a recipe for growth.

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