X-Message-Number: 1852
Date: 01 Mar 93 12:53:41 EST
From: Charles Platt <>
Subject: CRYONICS Science Fiction

To: Cryonet
 
March 1, 1993
 
I'm sorry that Lola McCrary found my descriptions of science-
fiction fans pejorative. I have been a science-fiction fan 
since I was eight. I implicitly included myself in my list of 
"fan types" at conventions. I may have oversimplified a 
little, but my picture is derived from attending at least 
thirty science-fiction conventions during the past twenty-
five years. I believe the picture is basically true. 
 
Since Lola says she is a fantasy fan, I agree I was wrong to 
say that the chances of fantasy fans embracing cryonics were 
"nil." Clearly, the chances are greater than nil (though 
still very small). Also, I am willing to believe there is 
more crossover between different types of people at 
conventions than I suggested. 
 
But these quibbles don't detract from my main point: most 
fans at science-fiction conventions are not in the same frame 
of mind as, say, scientists at a science convention. The 
tenor of the event is summed up by Lola's own statement: "I 
think we will have fun." Fun is what it's all about. That's 
why fans dress up in bizarre costumes and turn an entire 
luxury hotel into a projection of their own fantasies for 
four days. It's outrageous fun. I happen to enjoy it very 
much, because it's such a glorious violation of "respectable" 
behavior; but seriousness gets short shrift, which is why the 
science track of the multi-track programming tends to be 
under-attended. 
 
Lola herself says she is "aware of the limitations of fandom 
regarding cryonics." And she itemizes food as the number-one 
reason why fans may attend a hospitality suite. So let's be 
honest about this. There are some wonderful people at 
science-fiction conventions, but most of them are NOT there 
to discuss life, death, science, and the future. That's why I 
believe that although we should try to "reach out," we should 
not expect too much. 
 
I'm just trying to be realistic. Why should that cause 
offense? 

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=1852