X-Message-Number: 6169
Date: Thu, 09 May 1996 17:10:36 -0700
From: Randy Smith <>
Subject: SCI.CRYONICS  LA Times, Leary & cryonics

I just finished reading the LA Times article, "Leary Severs Ties to 
Cryonics Advocates," Thursday, May 9.

 The  writer, David Colker, quotes Leary as  saying that the cryonics 
people had no sense of humor and that he was afraid he would wake up in 
50 years and be surrounded by people with clipboards. [He should be so 
lucky.]

In some respects, the article certainly did not portray cryonics 
favorably; "widely discredited" was the adjectival phrase they used.

The article decribes a "tense scene" last weekend in which people from 
"BioPreserve [sic]...angrily removed" cryonics standby equipment from 
Leary's home; the article implies  the scene was the catalyst for Leary's 
action.

THe Times did present Cryocare's point of view, with Platt giving his 
side of story, citing medical and brain preservation issues for 
Cryocare's actions. A very brief overview of Cryocare and cryonics ias 
included.
Leary's writing collaborator, Vicki Marshall,  is quoted as saying that 
Leary opted for cryonics in 1988, claiming that cryonics was the 2nd 
stupidest thing you could do, with having worms eat you being the 1st.

Apparently, Leary is going for the "1st stupidest" option now; he is 
still considering the Live on the Internet Media Extravanganza, followed 
by burial or cremation. Vicki Marshall says he is not going to be 
cryonics' poster boy.

Charles Platt is quoted as saying, "It's a real feeling of defeat." It 
may seem hard to put a good face on all of this, but I think there is 
one.  Cryonics received considerable publicity from this and even this 
particular article gave out some even-handed info about cryonics and put 
a personal face on it.

I'm reminded of the final scene from _OH_GOD_ where George Burns as God 
takes his leave of John Denver's character. Denver bemoans his failure to 
get out the word about God. Burns answers him: "Whattaya mean? Ya did 
good. Ya plant a few seeds, ya move on."

Randy Smith

-- 
do not go gentle into that good night
rage, rage against the dying of the light

 Dylan Thomas


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