X-Message-Number: 19045 From: "Ben Best" <> Subject: Science Fiction Conventions Date: Sun, 12 May 2002 05:33:36 -0700 In CryoMessage #19040 Charles Platt wrote: > So, I don't have any answers. I do know that > science-fiction conventions are a really unrewarding > venue in which to try to sell cryonics. I would like to hear from Charles what he thinks is a rewarding venue in which to try to sell cryonics. I have given lectures, had booths and otherwise tried to "sell cryonics" at as many promising venues as I could think of including: Libertarians, Mensans, Humanists, Skeptics, amateur philosophers, life extensionists (even including life-extensionist scientists/physicians at A4M) and atheists -- as well as science fiction conventions. I even have tried running booths at health fairs and at a Computer Fair. In all cases, the response is massively and overwhelmingly indifferent or negative. In all cases, there are a few golden needles in the haystack. Keith Lynch is one of those who discovered cryonics at a science fiction convention. Whatever else you may think of Keith (it is true that he has yet to sign-up), he has been of great benefit to cryonics in his archive of CryoNet, in his participation in the Life Extension Society, in his participation in one of Mike Darwin's Transport courses and in other ways. The people in every venue have their own particular reasons for rejection of cryonics. Science fiction fans are mostly disengaged from practical living, but there are exceptions. Skeptics usually dismiss cryonics as pseudoscience, but there are exceptions. Humanists usually think cryonics would cause a population explosion, but there are exceptions. Libertarians are (surprisingly) selflessly devoted to the cause of liberty and are not so concerned with self-preservation, but there are exceptions. Life-extensionists figure that the elimination of aging in the near future will make cryonics unnecessary. Once we accept the fact that the rewards are few in ANY venue, and are delighted to find a few rare gems we can get on with the business of finding helpmates and allies. -- Ben Best http://www.benbest.com/cryonics/cryonics.html Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=19045