X-Message-Number: 9681
From: "Scott Badger" <>
Subject: The Growth Issue
Date: Mon, 11 May 1998 00:18:06 -0500

Though not qualified to critique it, I'd like to say kudos to Jim Halperin
for his generous and creative proposal.  Looking forward to seeing you at
Barnes & Nobles on the 22nd, Jim.

One other side issue before my main point.  Saul Kent asked for feedback on
his essay from seasoned cryonicists as well as neophytes.  Being of the
latter persuasion (and not signed up yet), I would characterize my initial
reaction by saying that I felt considerably more skeptical and pessimistic
about cryonics and my chances for reanimation.  Thus, I felt less inclined
to sign-up for cryonic services.  I thought, "What's the point?"  Yes it's
my only chance but you made it sound like I have a better chance of winning
the lottery . . . and I never play the lottery. You wanted my initial
reaction, that was it.   I continued to follow the postings, however, and my
spirits gradually lifted a bit.  Still, what hope I still have has more to
do with your predictions that 21CM will develop better protocols.  I hope
more of my optimism returns.

The main issue I wanted to address regards the conversations on why people
don't sign up for cryonics services.  While I believe it has been very
valuable to toss around hypotheses for explaining slow membership growth in
cryonics, ultimately these questions can only be answered by conducting an
actual survey.  I keep waiting for someone to make a reference to some
previous survey which addressed this issue but I haven't noticed any such
references.  Well, if it hasn't been done it needs to be.  It wouldn't be
that expensive if we used the internet and did a bulk e-mailing describing
the study and directing the subject to a web page where s/he could complete
a questionaire designed to measure attitudes and opinions.  Then we could
more or less settle this on-going debate.  I think we would get a lot of
individuals who would respond because they'd think it would be interesting
to do so.  We can use many of the proposed *reasons* in recent postings to
develop survey items.  And I realize that people using the internet are not
representative of the general population but it's getting more
representative than it used to be.  Besides, a survey such as the one I'm
conceiving of would likely pique the interest of many and may even result in
some sales.

I have a Ph.D. in Psychology, an MBA in Marketing, and have worked enough
with HTML to come up with some rough ideas.  It wouldn't be until later this
summer though.

Comments?


Scott Badger

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