X-Message-Number: 1645
Date: 20 Jan 93 02:18:25 EST
From: MICHAEL RISKIN <>
Subject: CRYONICS: "Style or Content"

     Charles Platt asked if I was commenting on style or content in my
posting of 1/18/93. The answer is "both." 
     The style issue is an obvious one requiring no further comment.
     As to content, I am often not in a position to judge the accuracy
of the facts presented. Innuendo is usually spotted by most readers
and easily rejected. What I can say about the content is that it is 
often presented in the same way lawyers present evidence at a trial.
Our legal system is based on the adversarial concept ; prosecution does
not present evidence to support the defense and v.v. As a result, the
verdict does not always represent the truth but which side was the most
persuasive. It is my ideal scenario that cryonicists would strive to
present all evidence whether it supported their viewpoint or not, the
same way real and honest and useful research is conducted. It seems that
many cryonet contributors prefer to prove themselves right, as compared 
to searching for the truth. 
     We have a commonality of purpose of extraodinary consequence, and 
the long term benefit of truth should obviously be of higher priority
than the short term gratification of winning an argument.

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=1645