X-Message-Number: 16383 From: Subject: from acorns Date: Wed, 30 May 2001 09:36:20 +1000 A little while ago, there was some discussion about using the PayPal payment service to fund the last month of some important research. Since no one has picked up on the point, I thought I might make the suggestion. Every once in a while a new initiative is put forward to try to get some research project going, people pledge $1000, $2000, $5000 etc. Unfortunatly considering the number of signed up cryonicists and those with a strong intrest in cryonics, the amount of pledges tends to remain low. The reason for his I suspect is that many people simply do not have this kind of money available to give away at any given time. A system of smaller payments automatically deducted from a persons account (direct debit) is an alternative but some months people are short of cash and others they have a surplus and stop/starting DD is a hassel. As you have probably already guessed, I suggest a good system of raising funds for research might be to have a PayPal account setup to recieve donations. This account should be permanently active so people can donate when it suits them. There should be a really low minimun contribution of say $10 so that all can contribute (this does not limit anyone to this amount, they can donate more). Although the amounts may be less, the money comming in will be from a much broader base and over an extended time frame. People will feel more involved knowing they have contributed at least a little towards research and feel encouraged to continue making further donations provided that they get good - extensve feedback about the research. The ease of making payments, the lack of a big financial hit and a sense of participation could change the funding of Cryonics research for the better. Most charitys get their funds from small donations made by ordinary people with a small amount of spare cash. Why should cryonics be any different? I am intrested in receiving constructive feedback about this idea. Chris Benatar Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=16383