X-Message-Number: 6426
Date:  Mon, 01 Jul 96 09:48:17 
From: Dave Pizer <>
Subject: Dave replies to Tom

Tom wrote
> Message #6420
> From:  (Thomas Donaldson)
> Subject: Effects of brain vitrification on cryonics
> Date: Sun, 30 Jun 1996 12:46:21 -0700 (PDT)
> 
> Hi again!
> 

> I too believe vitrification of brains should have very high priority. However,

> given Brian Wowk's comments about how this advance would increase the cryonics
> community, I feel I should add a few numbers.
> 
> At the very largest estimate, there are now about 600 cryonicists signed up
> with all the present societies. An order of magnitude increase means 6000
> cryonicists. While that is indeed a large percentage increase (I would dream
> that my investments might increase that much!) 6000 cryonicists in the ENTIRE

> world are not likely to make much social impact. Yes, there are other 
minoritiesof that size --- but they are the minorities that are ignored, rather 
than 
> those that can make any kind of public fuss.
> 

> As for the increased SCIENTIFIC interest (by NONCRYONICIST scientists), that 
too

> isn't so clear. To us, the further steps of growing a new body for a preserved

> brain (or otherwise providing such support) seem like trivia compared to those
> involved in preserving and reviving a brain. To many others, that will be a 
> major sticking point.
> 
> I do, however, most definitely agree that we should think about whether we
> can raise much more money for research from among ourselves, and of course
> 6000 people can raise 10 times more money than 600.
> 
>             Best and long long life,
> 
>                 Thomas Donaldson

I believe there are more than 600 people signed up for Cryonics now.  Alcor 
and CI probably have more than that between the two of them.

In any case, I strongly feel that if there were 6,000 dedicated 
cryonicists, we could raise the money needed to perfect reversible 
suspended animation.

The level of dedication is an important factor, not just the number of 
people involved.  Look how tiny Vietnam beat the US.  

At Alcor we are starting a fund raising phase.  The early response is good. 
 One reason why cryonics may not have been as successful as possible in 
raising money for research and other needed funding is because we have not 
been as good at fund raising as we should be. 

Several of us are going to educate ourselves in this field and try harder.  
Our lives are at stake.  Tom has often pointed out this.  I agree with 
him, we must raise more money for research and other items to increase the 
odds of survival.

We also need closer, *mutual* cooperation.

Dave  


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