X-Message-Number: 7445
Date: 07 Jan 97 23:33:45 EST
From: Paul Wakfer <>
Subject: Re: The solicitation for the upcoming co

In Cryomsg #7436, Steve Jackson wrote concerning Alcor's posted Technology
Festival reminder:

>I found this, to put it briefly, very disturbing. The whole style and tone
>of the advertisement was inappropriate for any legitimate organization -
>let alone one already fighting against perceptions that it is a nut cult
>or a scam. With the repeated arm-waving about "Don't be left out! Only 120
>places!" this package looked like junk mail designed for suckers. I see
>this kind of thing in the trash that I get every day from pyramid
>marketers, stock touts and other such bottom-feeders. I didn't expect it
>from Alcor.

Since I have been criticized for some of my own "marketing" efforts with
respect to the Prometheus Project, I was interested to re-examine this
particular piece objectively, particularly as I had *not* been 'disturbed'
or otherwise bothered by its tone when I had read it.

I believe that this is another one of those times when the bad guys (the
dishonest, junk mail, hucksters) have spoiled it for the good guys. In my
view any potential problem here is *not* with the content, or even the
method of emphasis of what is said, but is with the *honesty* of such
statements. Since the statements were made by a person (Steve Bridge) with
a long record of integrity, I took them at face value: as being made for
the sincere purpose of helping to ensure that any tardy cryonicists (are
there any non-tardy cryonicists?:) would not miss out and be disappointed.

I ask Steve Jackson and others who are 'disturbed' by such honest,
vigorous, urging statements: Are sincere people now to be restricted from
making such true and useful statements, just because there are hucksters
and con-artists out there who make similar *dishonest* statements? Must we
all from now on, always refrain from being enthusiastic, and from stressing
and emphasizing those things which it is important for others to be clear
about, just because scam artists may use the same choice of words and
emphasis techniques? Do you really wish to let the scum-bags make honest
salesmanship and emphatic communication impossible?


-- Paul --

Paul Wakfer
email:  phone:909-481-9620  pager:800-805-2870

HELP TO ACHIEVE - PERFECTED SUSPENDED ANIMATION WITHIN 20 YEARS!

Check out the Prometheus Project web site at URL:
http://www.prometheus-project.org/prometheus/


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