X-Message-Number: 13204
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: Yes, we could go up too fast. But how fast CAN we increase?
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 100 22:44:11 +1100 (EST)

Hi!

I respect Steve Bridges opinion a lot. However I do wish to add a comment:
yes, a sudden increase in those interested would cause great disruption.
It still remains interesting to know the maximum number of entries Alcor
could withstand without disruption, and with future growth in mind,
perhaps what strategies might be taken to deal with growth.

With growth we would basically need more people to work for Alcor. That 
work includes administration and the whole set of duties dealing with
suspensions. I will point out that not everyone who joins will be
identical, and some might be quite willing to take on some of these
duties, at least for several years. That has become even more true now
that Alcor is offering discounts on suspension fees to those who either
pay directly in advance, or else do work at Alcor.

Yes, too many people would be a disaster. But then it remains interesting
to know:

1. Just how many new members can be accomodated without a need to increase
   staff?

2. Just how fast and how much effort and money is required to create a 
   staff member from a new member who is willing to work for Alcor? 
   (After all, many people at Alcor now were not even members when I
   joined myself years ago).

Such information, if nothing else, would give us bounds on the maximum
rate at which Alcor could increase its size. It may even give us ideas
for dealing with even higher rates of increase --- a prerequisite for
even thinking seriously about faster rates of recruitment.

I certainly know that any numbers here would certainly be inaccurate, but
at the same time it may help a lot to get a better and more detailed idea
of this issue. After all, we do want to increase the number of practicing
cryonicists, yes?

			Best and long long life to all,

				Thomas Donaldson

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