X-Message-Number: 26639 Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2005 16:29:40 -0700 (PDT) From: "D. den Otter" <> Subject: Re: survey / low cost option David Stodolsky wrote: <<A survey could predict public interest, as well as give guidance on marketing. It would be a lot less work and risk than a service offering.>> Mike Perry responded: <<The idea of a survey to gauge public interest before committing oneself to an actual operation sounds good, though it is my feeling that something should be done even if little interest is shown; you might still save a few.>> Yes, exactly. Though a survey could certainly be useful at some point, if only for promotional purposes, public interest shouldn't be a decisive factor in this matter. Even if just a few are (potentially) saved using low cost means, it will have been well worth the effort, and that there will be at least a few takers is pretty much beyond reasonable doubt. Our first priority --phase one-- should, imo, be setting up a (non-profit) respectable looking legal entity that can act as a kind of middle man between morticians, university labs, commercial plastination outfits like VisDocta etc., and (potential) 'customers'. Phase two would be determining what procedure(s) could best be used -- plastination, freeze drying, or something else. In the meantime we'd simply use, via the middle man setup, whatever happens to be available. This would always remain the default fallback policy, btw; any preservation is better than no preservation. Phase three would be acquiring equipment and (storage) space. Phase four would be testing & refining the procedure(s) using sheep brains etc. Phase five would be doing an extensive survey as suggested by Mr. Stodolsky and, after some more fine-tuning, introducing the organization to the general public. The institute would, however, already be effectively operational, and accept 'inside jobs', during beta testing (phase one through five). Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=26639