X-Message-Number: 11421
From: Daniel Ust <>
Subject: Re: Icing celebrities
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 16:21:38 -0500

On Sun, 14 Mar 1999 22:42:31 -0500 Gary  wrote:
>However, if we were to consider approaching aging but celebrated
>scientists of some stature we may meet with some success by
>virtue of the fact that they would be able to appreciate a rational
>argument better than any pop icon. We should also note that
>because our ideas appear exotic at first sight, special care should
>be taken to advance an argument based upon suggestive
>experimental and theoretical considerations. I also think that we
>should make extra efforts to ensure that such approaches be carried
>out be people who are themselves conversant with scientific matters. 

I agree with Gary on this approach.  Those who attempt to do this
should also choose a scientist who seems to fit the profile of a
cryonicist - especially, someone who is an atheist.  The prospect
should be handled carefully to avoid creating a "celebrated opponent"
of cryonics.

I would also extend this out to other intellectuals who might be
open to the idea.  A popular college professor who signs on
board might be able to influence her students and colleagues
to take cryonics seriously.

Also, care should be taken to avoid painting cryonics as a way of
separating desperate people from their money.  I bring this up
because this is the kind of response I often get when I expose
people to the idea of cryonics.  I can't always blame them because
when someone does get a terminal illness (which aging is), there
seems to be a whole industry devoted to squeezing as much money
out of them as possible.

On this note, I've seen at least one essay that surveyed what
people believe about cryonics.  Has anyone else done this
sort of market research?  If so, it might prove useful in targeting
people from all walks of life - e.g., if we know single, male,
atheists are more likely to be cryonicists, then we can focus on
single, male, atheist scientists, actors, or alligator wrestlers...:-)

Cheers!

Daniel Ust
http://www.monadnock.net/summa/

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