X-Message-Number: 4840
Date: Tue, 5 Sep 1995 01:24:06 -0500 (CDT)
From: Steve Jackson <>
Subject: Re: CryoNet #4832 - #4835

On Mon, 4 Sep -1, Thomas Donaldson wrote:
> 
> About MLM for cryonics: it is very clear that a large number of crynicists 
> do not like the idea at all. While I personally don't believe that MLM is
> just a synonym for charlatan, enough cryonicists seem to believe that that 
> their feelings on the issue should be taken account of. They are, after all,
> the best version of what the PUBLIC attitude would be.


Errrr . . . This proves not to be the case, Thomas. In fact, cryonicists 
are about the worst possible indicator of what the general population 
thinks about cryonics. To begin with, cryonicists think it will work!

We should never rule out any proposal solely because our current in-group
doesn't like it. Our current in-group is a pack of frothing weirdos (a
label I personally embrace, of course); four sigmas out on just about any
bell curve you can think of; and demonstrably unable to engage the
sympathies of Joe Sixpack. Those who want to get Joe S. into the freezer
will HAVE to come up with a new approach, and it's a good bet that the
current cadre will spout blue steam out their ears at the very thought. 

MLM might work. Might not. If I wanted to devote my whole life to 
spreading the cryonics meme by fair means or foul, I'd start a religion. 
I would make it nominally vanilla-Christian, because that sets off the 
fewest alarm bells in Middle America. (Yeah, it won't play in India. 
We'll burn that bridge when we come to it.) Sort of Methodism with liquid 
nitrogen. Make it a religious duty to protect those freezers . . . Honor 
thy father and thy mother, and keep them well below zero . . . 

Am I joking? Could be. Then again, if I were *just* trying to be 
outrageous, I'd suggest a merger with Scientology.

 Steve Jackson - yes, of SJ Games - yes, we won the Secret Service case
Learn Web or die - http://www.io.com/sjgames/ - dinosaurs, Lego, Kahlua!
          The heck with PGP keys; finger for Geek Code. Fnord.


Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=4840