X-Message-Number: 7517 Date: Thu, 16 Jan 97 11:12:12 From: Steve Bridge <> Subject: Brian Wowk's PR post To CryoNet >From Steve Bridge, Alcor January 16, 1997 In reply to: Message #7508 From: Brian Wowk <> Date: Wed, 15 Jan 1997 22:44:31 -0600 Subject: PR vs. Research I want to thank Brian for his extremely thoughtful post. I really like that, instead of merely extending a debate and shaking fingers at other cryonicists, he has laid out a new idea. I haven't decided yet whether I think it is a *better* idea; but I have been impressed with Brian's past exercises in communicating ideas. This new paradigm requires a close look and probably some experimentation. When Brian wrote "The Death of 'Death' in Cryonics" a decade ago, I began testing some of his ideas with groups. I found that they worked pretty well. Perhaps I will be able to do some testing here, also. > However I am becoming increasingly uncomfortable >with the intimate association between cryonics and esoteric >future technology. The image of cryonics as speculation on >way-out far-future technogy, instead of near-term goal-directed >science, has cost us enormously in terms of respectability >and appeal to biomedical scientists. >By conventional standards of medical research funding, >we are an infinitesimal distance away from having cryonics >technologies that DEMONSTRABLY WORK. We need a greater >emphasis on the specifics of why this is so, and to deliver >these specifics with a flourish that will inspire the people >and resources needed to get the job done. I'm not quite clear, though, on how Brian's new paradigm will work to make scientists more interested. It seems that he has shifted the hopeful future from a century away to 20 years away by changing the telescope's aim. In practical results, how does this change the participation? It still seems to promote speculative technology, but shifts to biological speculation. I hope Brian will elaborate on this as he develops the ideas further. Steve Bridge Stephen Bridge, President () Alcor Life Extension Foundation Non-profit cryonic suspension services since 1972. 7895 E. Acoma Dr., Suite 110, Scottsdale AZ 85260-6916 Phone (602) 922-9013 (800) 367-2228 FAX (602) 922-9027 for general requests http://www.alcor.org Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=7517