X-Message-Number: 5756 Date: Mon, 19 Feb 1996 00:32:02 -0500 (EST) From: Robin Helweg-Larsen <> Subject: Temples and Garages One of the discussions peripheral to the CryoTechFest was the level of ostentation appropriate for a cryonics facility. An argument was made that it should be lavish, obviously successful, photogenic, on a hilltop with a view, etc. This raises the concerns (for me) of actual and perceived waste, frivolity, luxury (UN government bureaucrats....) etc, when the money should go on essential research. But I also acknowledge that credibility can be damaged, and interest dampened, and volunteer energy lost, if the pendulum is too far the other way. A garage is practical, but it's not beautiful. People (and governments, because it's really something people want) pay for appropriate settings. Just as you can have photos on the walls of the patients at the facility, so I think you should know (from an engraved plaque) WHO is inside each dewar. I don't think you need to specify WB or neuro. I do think anyone giving a tour needs to be able to say with absolute certainty how many patients are where, and provide the names of the public ones. I know intellectually that you're not going to revive the wrong head, or clone a wrong body for a right head, but plaques and certainty would ease my emotions! Secondly, I think that the storage area should ultimately become a place of meditation and remembrance; a comforting place; with a window in to the main offices, and a window out to a garden; nice, plain decor, good lighting, a choice of comfortable places to sit, and perhaps a VCR to play a message or souvenir of the person being reflected on, as well as (of course) reflective cryonics literature. A healing place for family members, including those who are having trouble coming to terms with the suspension, and who need the standard facilities to grieve, adjust, and look forward to the future. >From a marketing point of view, it is far far easier to sell into other divisions of a company you've already done business with, than to cold-call a whole new company. Signing up other family members should also be easier than finding entirely new people, because of the familiarity, credibility, comfort factors.... I think that could be helped with a meditation atmosphere, rather than a garage atmosphere. But note, I am NOT an advocate of the palace on a hill! Always optimistically, Robin HL Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=5756