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