X-Message-Number: 23694
Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2004 11:54:14 -0500 (EST)
From: Charles Platt <>
Subject: PR

I certainly never said we should do nothing. On the contrary,
I said that prompt press releases distancing Alcor (or any
other serious organization) from fringe elements are the way
to go. I definitely did say this, but apparently Kennita
didn't notice, because she seems locked into her own agenda.

Of course I don't expect anyone to say, "Wow, how stupid I
have been, Platt is absolutely correct!" This wouldn't happen
even if I was absolutely correct. On the other hand, what I
am missing is a debate on the issues which have been raised.
For instance I have mentioned, twice, that an event very
similar to the one precipitated by Bauge was used as evidence
against cryonics and in favor of regulating it, by a
legislator in Arizona. This is a clear indication that, at
the very least, do-it-yourself cryonics entails a very
obvious risk of hastening and worsening regulation for the
rest of us.

I don't see Kennita really addressing this issue. I don't see
any reassuring rational counter-argument that explains why
it's not an issue. I just someone ignoring the potential
downside in a breezy confident style, because she just
*knows* she can do it. This of course would be fine, and
would be an interesting experiment, if there was no potential
downside for the rest of us.

--Charles Platt

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