X-Message-Number: 22541
Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2003 00:34:55 -0400 (EDT)
From: Charles Platt <>
Subject: Alcor membership

Because this issue has recurred in several posts on CryoNet,
the following message seems necessary, even though the topic
is somewhat personal.

My concerns about personal differences or misunderstandings
between myself and Alcor seem to have been resolved, thanks
to some goodwill on both sides. Also I have been urged to
remain an Alcor member because I've been told that my
decision to quit membership was interpreted as a vote of no
confidence. I did emphasize (more than once) that I was not
doubting Alcor's ability to provide service, but some people
seemed unwilling to believe it.

My primary satisfaction in cryonics has always come from
being active--helping to provide service for people who want
it, promoting the general concept, and trying to make
improvements which will benefit my daughter's generation if
not my own. I'm highly motivated to pursue these goals
because they constitute the only defiant gesture that I can
make in the face of human mortality, which I abhor. This
defiance is a matter of principle rather than self-interest.

I am less interested in receiving cryonics service myself
because my response to aging and death is sadness rather than
fear, and I question whether cryonics will do much to
mitigate the overwhelming sadness when I'm on my death bed.
Even if resuscitation turns out to be possible, I will be
facing decades of oblivion in the interim.

Because of my personal outlook, quitting membership didn't
seem such a big deal to me, especially since I have gone
without coverage twice before. However, for obvious reasons I
never wanted my choice to damage Alcor. Some people did seem
worried about this, and my primary concerns about personal
issues have been addressed. Consequently today I told Alcor's
membership administrator that I will not execute the form
that she sent me to retrieve ownership of my life insurance.

By default, my Alcor membership will remain in effect.

--Charles Platt

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