X-Message-Number: 238 From att!parc.xerox.com!merkle Wed Oct 17 21:58:14 1990 Return-Path: <att!parc.xerox.com!merkle> Received: from att.UUCP by whscad1.att.uucp (4.1/SMI-3.2) id AA24256; Wed, 17 Oct 90 21:58:14 EDT Received: by att.att.com; Wed Oct 17 21:09:21 1990 Received: from manarken.parc.xerox.com by arisia.Xerox.COM with SMTP (5.61+/IDA-1.2.8/gandalf) id AA02777; Wed, 17 Oct 90 18:10:12 -0700 Received: by manarken.parc.xerox.com (5.61+/IDA-1.2.8/gandalf) id AA00355; Wed, 17 Oct 90 18:06:52 PDT Message-Id: <> Date: Wed, 17 Oct 90 18:06:52 PDT From: Ralph Merkle <> To: Subject: Re: cryonics #235 - Proposal for Cheap Freeze Before we jump on Rich too hard, remember that the ideas he is proposing seem quite reasonable and were actually tried for many years before the difficulties became apparent. While the idea of relatives tending dewars is (from historical evidence) a very poor one, the general concept of cost-reduction is a good one. The trick, of course, is to cut out all the unnecessary costs but none of the necessary ones.... Alcor is currently experiencing exponential growth. While the initial base of members is modest, we can reasonably expect tens of thousands of members (or more) in the next few decades. The basic technical concepts supporting the feasibility of cryonics are now available in several formats. Press coverage now refers to cryonics as a "controversial practice" (an improvement from a few years ago) with increasing acceptance of the idea. The legality of cryonics has recently been reaffirmed so that even the densest must acknowledge it. Critics of cryonics are in disarray, and have been routed in several recent debates. The only remaining legal issue is the right to pre-mortem suspension. While critical, it seems more than likely that this will be won during the next few years (though the Donaldson case is by no means a sure thing). Growing public intolerance for forcing the incurably and miserably ill from being kept "alive" for a few wretched weeks or months before their invevitable deaths will eventually force legal changes providing for physician assisted termination of life for the terminally ill who so choose. Cryonics can ride the coattails of this movement, even if earlier legal victories prove elusive. Membership growth is primarily through direct contact with existing members. Growth will also require a great deal of work and dedication by a great many people. Anyone familiar with a startup, especially a successful startup, is aware of the huge amount of work required. And, of course, any rapidly growing organization is forced to fund next years growth with this years revenues -- which by definition means money is scarce and work is plentiful. The basic organizational structure and strategies seem to be in place. Some transitions ahead might result in fairly fundamental strategic shifts, e.g., the entry of hospitals and other traditional health care providers into the suspension business would result in significant restructuring. Such changes, while fundamental, would tend to increase (rather than decrease) the overall probability of success. In short, there are no extraordinary or unreasonable requirements for success. The usual virtues; dedication, hard work, money, persistence, good explanations patiently repeated; should be more than sufficient. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=238