X-Message-Number: 19757
Date: Sat, 10 Aug 2002 23:23:27 -0700
From: Mike Perry <>
Subject: Shermer and CSICOP

George Smith, #19735, seems to imply that Michael Shermer, the "skeptic" 
critic of cryonics, is closely affiliated with the Committee for the 
Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal or CSICOP, but I don't 
think this is so. Shermer edits a magazine, *Skeptic*, which, despite the 
similarity of titles, is different from CSICOP's publication, *Skeptical 
Inquirer*. Shermer is based in California, CSICOP in New York. In general, 
CSICOP focuses on claimed, paranormal effects--such as encounters with 
aliens or ability to bend keys without touching them--which might be 
verifiable or falsifiable. (Actually, their publication does consider a 
broader range of issues, but this is still the main focus.) Cryonics does 
not involve this sort of claim, that is, of something that has already been 
accomplished or observed. Instead we are making a claim of what *we think* 
future science *may* be able to accomplish, making sure that, as far as we 
know, no violations of physical laws or encounters with space aliens and 
the like would be required. The responsible skeptic should be aware of our 
position and think twice before attacking us. As far as I know, CSICOP (I 
subscribe to their publication) has never come out strongly against cryonics.

Mike Perry

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