X-Message-Number: 19388 From: Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2002 16:43:28 EDT Subject: Re: CryoNet #19380 Speak softly [on topic] and carry a big tent In a message dated 7/1/02 2:01:40 AM, Robert Ettinger writes in part: << 4. For most of us, time is better spent in doing more of what we know we can do and of what we know produces results, even if not spectacular results, rather than flailing around trying to find magic wands. In particular, I believe marketing studies, or studies of the profiles of cryonicists, are a waste of time, for the very simple reason, as I have said repeatedly, that our numbers in any group are so small that it just doesn't matter whether the group itself is above or below average. We need a shotgun, not a rifle. >> I would agree up to a point. With my background in survey research and knowledge diffusion and utilization studies, I have often wondered if I could be of some help to the expansion of cryonics through some sort of marketing strategy linked to targetted research. The targetting would presumably be based on similarity of profiles of our current members with various much larger but still limited target populations. I used to think it was somewhat noteworthy, for example, that the first frozen person was a psychologist like myself as were at least two of CI's current patients. Does this constitute a pattern? probably not. In the last 2 weeks or so there has been a real off-topic bruhaha about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, of all things! Perhaps an analysis of some of these off-topic scampers would reveal correlated interests but it is clear that this one just showed how easily we can get divided and angry with each other, hardly a prescription for successful expansion. What is interesting, in a way, about cryonics, is how wildly it cuts across convention groupings. We seem to have Mormons and Wiccans, Christians as well as atheists in our little group. We also have some liberals, libertarians, and,I would guess, some conservatives, Bush supporters and Bush-haters, gays and straights, lots of males and some but not enough females. I feel that most science fiction is doomsday rot and that it should be anathema to true cryonicists and I almost never read it but obviously many of my fellow cryonauts are addicted to the stuff. I think that the environmental movement is loaded with luddites and a real threat to progress even though their goals are laudible but I can tell that many of my fellow cryonauts are enthusiastic greens as well. What can we make of all this? Where is the intersection of beliefs and descriptors that we can identify to help us begin the campaign? Robert says there isn't one so forget it. My logical mind tells me that there must be an intersect somewhere so let's keep on trying to find it. In the meantime, it is important to keep a very big tent for our tiny group. Just because I can't figure out how a Mormon or a dyed-in -the -wool green could possibly believe in what I believe is no reason to reject them. We need each other. In that vein, I urge participants to get back on topic. If you want to sound off on liberals, conservatives, GW Bush, Yasser Arafat, Israel, or whatever, please find the right forum. CryoNet is not it. While I have your attention, what about suggestions for an agenda for the "summit"? Ron Havelock, CI member Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=19388