X-Message-Number: 7816
Date: Thu, 06 Mar 97 23:47:07
From: Mike Perry <>
Subject: Venturist Ideas
Here are two articles with some suggestions for how
the Venturist organization might be able to benefit
cryonics. Reader response is appreciated--Mike Perry.
CRYONICS RENTAL LIVING QUARTERS
by Mike Perry and David Pizer
The idea of a facility offering rental living arrangements
for cryonicists is not new. It had been talked about for
many years, and then it was finally tried
("Ventureville"). But the "communal" lifestyle that was
offered was not found suitable, and the project was discon-
tinued. However, the need for a living-place for cryonicists
continues and is sometimes very painfully felt.
For instance, there is the case of the longtime, elderly
cryonicist in Florida, Joe Cannon. Joe had been in declin-
ing health and was becoming seriously despondent. Then
he attempted suicide. He was taken to a psychiatric clinic
and kept under observation. His cryonics organization
couldn't reach him. Meanwhile, the "observation" he was
under evidently wasn't that close, for Joe was able to suffo-
cate himself. It was only with great difficulty and many
extra hours that his cryonics organization could extricate
him from the local medical examiner without autopsy of
his head. He was perfused and frozen, but the quality of
his suspension suffered substantially.
Had there been an appropriate living arrangement for cry-
onicists in the Phoenix area, we might have persuaded Joe
to take advantage of it. In addition (in his case) to being
close to his cryonics organization he would have been sur-
rounded by other cryonicists who recognize the special
needs of people like him who have chosen cryonics
and who are now terminally ill.
We hope to do better in the future for others like Joe who
will be needing suspension services. Such people will need
some attention beforehand so that their suspension quality
is not compromised.
So now we ask you, the reader, for your thoughts on this
matter. (Keep in mind that it may well affect you per-
sonally when the time draws near for your own suspen-
sion.)
(1) Are you interested in a project to provide rental living
arrangements for cryonicists? Those who will soon be
needing suspension services could then receive good care and
get the best possible suspension--though this
is not the only benefit.
(2) If so, what type of facility would you like, communal,
individual apartments, etc.?
(3) Are you willing to invest in such a project?
YOU *CAN* TAKE IT WITH YOU
By Dave Pizer.
For years we have been working on a way to help cryoni-
cists take things with them into the future. We now have a
plan.
Many cryonicists would like to have a secure place to store
important personal items such as video and audio tapes;
pictures, diaries, or other mementos. These might be used
for identity reconstruction in case the suspension was
compromised in some way. Also a cryonicist might store
items that would have a large value in the future like coins
or other rare things.
The Society for Venturism is a non profit 501 (c-3) organi-
zation run by cryonicists with the purpose of supporting
cryonics activities. We don't do suspensions but we have
other goals as mentioned in this article, and we also want to
build a community where cryonicists can live and retire, a
museum, and someday, a cryonics/immortalist university.
Our present goal is to implement a way for cryonicists to
have safe storage of small items.
We are planning on purchasing a used overseas shipping
container and modifying it for our use. These are the large
metal containers that are used to send items on ships over-
seas and then are put on semi trucks and hauled overland.
The one we are considering is 20 feet by 8 feet by 8 feet.
This will be modified to have an air conditioner and secu-
rity alarm. The shipping container is our choice as it can be
used now--and when our permanent home is established, it
can be moved there. These containers are made of sturdy
steel and hard to break into. The door has been modified to
make it burglar resistant.
For the present time, the container will be stored on a
cement slab (with air conditioner and burglar alarm hooked
up) at the property of David Pizer in Scottsdale Arizona.
Cryonicists can purchase space in a personal tube-capsule
that will be stored in the shipping container. These tube-
capsules are ABC pipe, 12 inches in diameter and 3 feet in
length. They have end caps that are permanently sealed and
should last for many centuries, if needed.
The proposed plan would be for cryonicists to purchase one
of these tube-capsules and eternal storage for a one time
payment (in today's dollars) of about $1,500. The cost of
the actual tube-capsule and the labor to seal it and store it is
estimated at about $400 The other $1,100 would be held in
trust and the income used to pay for rent, repairs and
moving the container, if needed (and to increase the princi-
pal to keep up with inflation). It would also help insure that
the Venturist organization survives over time to be there to
continue storing the contents and return them to the owner
someday.
Details are being worked out. What we need now, is a
show of hands on how many people might utilize this
option. Also we are considering a special price offer to the
first 10 people as a way of raising some of the money to
start this. For instance, we might offer the first 10 people a
special price of $1,000 each (a $500 discount) if they will
prepay their storage before the container and tube-capsules
are ready. We would use this money to underwrite the cost
of this project and set up the trust account. It also gives us
an idea if there is support for this project. "Money talks and
wishfull thinking walks."
There would probably be a $250 fee (in today's dollars)
each time the tube capsule is opened to add additional
items, or when it is accessed upon revival.
The expected expenses are:
1. $2,500 for the container and delivery charges. 2. $1,200
for the first 10 tubes and 20 end caps and silicone, etc. 3.
$5,000 for the construction of the concrete pad, additional
shade roof over the container, electrical and alarm hook up,
addition of air conditioner. 4. $1,000 for the initial labor
costs to fill the first 10 tubes.
Any balance would be used to start the trust fund.
Your pledges and/or inquiries are invited to our E-mail
address--or to our new snail mail address which is:
Society for Venturism
15111 N. Hayden Rd. Ste. 160-182
Scottsdale, AZ 85260.
Dave Pizer
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