X-Message-Number: 2920
From:  (David Stodolsky)
Subject: CRYONICS re; sheep & court
Date: Tue, 19 Jul 94 13:22:02 +0200 (MET DST)

In CRYONICS #2905 - sheep & court [R.C.W.Ettinger] said:
>Scientists opposing cryonics have always refused to meet us in formal or
>extended debate or to submit themselves to cross examination. They just play
>their one-liners for journalists and retreat into their holes. The Nets seem
>to offer an opportunity to harass or even corner them.
>
>I know nothing about the Nets, but have the impression that many forums and
>bulletin boards are available, and we could make a great many scientists
>aware of the availability of our postings. Perhaps we could keep up a barrage
>of information and challenges through these channels. Then the detractors
>would either have to suffer in silence, in effect taking the Fifth, or else
>stand up and be knocked down.

Attempts to do this would probably result in the forums being closed
to cryonicists, as least for writing. Thus, there would be more
forums for expression of orthodoxy. In the long run, a better option
is to create a new forum for the discussion of scientific results
of interest.

Scientists are always looking for new outlets for their results and
the Net offers a better alternative than conventional publication
for several reasons. In fact, paper journals will probably be gone,
as the dominate means of communicating scientific results, in ten years.
Further, the Net offers secure means of submitting anonymous articles,
which could be a way to get cryobiologist who are sympathetic, but
afraid to support cryonics, to contribute to the development of knowledge
in the area.

I would suggest an "electronic journal" with the broadest possible
coverage, in order to reach a critical mass of contributors quickly.
That is, anything of importance related to life extension. If it is
to attract serious scientists, there must be a peer review process.
The open peer commentary model used by the sci.psychology.digest is the
most advanced practice likely to be acceptable to scientific workers.
It also provides a good type of forum for debate.

If the cryobiology community is as conservative as has been suggested
here, it probably will continue with traditional approaches to publication
long after they have been discarded by new researchers. Thus, the
transition from paper to electronic publishing offers an ideal opportunity
for cryonics to establish itself as a legitimate area of scientific
investigation.

dss


David S. Stodolsky, PhD      Internet: 
Peder Lykkes Vej 8, 4. tv.               Internet: 
DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark           Voice + Fax: + 45 32 97 66 74

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=2920