X-Message-Number: 6864
From:  (Thomas Donaldson)
Subject: Re: CryoNet #6851 - #6854
Date: Mon, 9 Sep 1996 11:23:41 -0700 (PDT)

Hi Kevin!

Since you are the Sysop of Cryonet, this is an open letter to you.

I am writing to second, third, fourth, and 2^32 power the suggestion by 
Ken Greenwood that the backbiting posts be consigned to another area. You
get to work out what it would be called. And yes, I think it's done a lot to
give cryonics a bad name, at least among some. 

Sure, many people subscribing to Cryonet don't like it. You could even take a
poll. Personally I would suggest that we don't try to stifle such stuff
entirely, but simply have another place for it --- say Cryonet.Personal. For
those who post such stuff, it may help them let off steam which might become
even more harmful if not released. But I don't get on Cryonet to watch people
lett off steam, I get on Cryonet to hear comments about (guess what!) CRYONICS.

And if some of these posters are concerned with general issues which show
themselves in the behavior of particular individuals, OK, then they can post --
so long as they don't go around pointing fingers at individuals. As I've said
before, we all make mistakes, and if we're wise about it we try not to make
the same mistake again. And yes, it helps (I think) that others see us as the
fallible individuals we all are, but Cryonet would do well to leave the matter
at that and let those who wish to decide on blame do so elsewhere.

And to Mr. Hardy:

If you wish to found a cryonics society of your own, you're welcome to try.
But I suspect that you will learn how very difficult and slow that is, even 
now. I spent 15 years in Australia trying to do just that; yes, there is 
still a cryonics organization there, but it remains very weak. One reason I
left was that while I was there it was clear that we could get someone
suspended, if necessary --- so long as that person was not myself. (Frankly
there were other more personal reasons too, but that did play a part).

If you are seriously interested I suggest that a better strategy would be to
join one of the existing societies and become active in it. And if you don't
like some the active people, provide yourself as a replacement. And of course
if you want to try such a strategy, you get to pick the society.

			Best wishes and long long life to all,

				Thomas Donaldson


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