X-Message-Number: 6274 From: Ralph Merkle <> Subject: A simple observation Date: Mon, 27 May 1996 11:31:44 PDT Cryonics magazine (April 1993 page 11) has a graph titled Total Alcor Suspension Members Exponential Fit Graph (Semi-Log) It shows total membership as a function of year from 1976 up to 1993. Extrapolation of this graph showed Alcor with a total suspension membership of between 700 and 800 by mid 1996. The total membership of Alcor today is 383 (courtesy of Steve Bridge's recent posting). I don't have exact figures for CryoCare, but believe it is approximately 100. The total for the two organizations combined is under 500. This is a shortfall from the extrapolated value of 200 to 300 members. Obviously, there are many reasons why an extrapolation might differ from the actual numbers. However, one prominent event which seems to correlate well with the change in growth rate was the organizational split that occurred around 1993. This was accompanied by (among other things) repeated and exaggerated public statements about the shortcomings of the other organization, which might reasonably be expected to influence growth rates. We know a growth rate of almost 30% per year is feasible. We also know that our current growth rate is not 30% per year. I believe we can improve this situation. Let's do so. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=6274