X-Message-Number: 32615 Subject: Re: Silver Platters Ignored, in Cryonics From: David Stodolsky <> Date: Sat, 12 Jun 2010 21:52:56 +0200 References: <> On 12 Jun 2010, at 11:00 AM, Melody Maxim wrote: > The bottom line: Unless cryonicists want another 40 years of little progress, and lots of scandal, some of the faces need to change, starting at the top. It doesn't matter how much money any given benefactor pours in. Unless it is funding progress, that money is of no benefit to anyone, other than those on the payroll. Without integrity, there is no trust and confidence. Expecting people to hand over a large sum of cash for many tens of years of suspension will be impeded by any lack of this type. False accusations and the attempted censorship we have seen in this Forum hurts the Movement. When an organization comes across as a bunch of amateurs, that doesn't inspire confidence. When that amateurism continues when professionally trained people are available and proven products are available, that is mismanagement that destroys trust. The problems that Melody mention amount to a crisis of integrity that impedes growth and may destroy the movement. In addition to the problems with personnel and equipment she mentions, there is also a crisis in the promotion of cryonics. The belief that improvements in suspension technology will lead to the acceptance of cryonics is incorrect. Even the revival of a human being will not lead to a dramatic change in attitudes. This fundamental misunderstanding is one key element in the failure of growth that we now see. Another key element is the inappropriate marketing strategy. I have previously illustrated how the two major impediments to growth could be eliminated: lack of short-term benefits and economic barriers. If the marketing strategy was updated, then we would be looking forward to having about a third of the population signed up. This would provide the social acceptance and political stability, needed to protect suspendees, that we don't have now. Every movement must make a transition from being isolationist to being a mass movement. Otherwise, it faces decline. The lack of growth in sign ups is an indication that an inflection point has been reached. If cryonics is not made acceptable and available to a larger segment of the population, it is likely we will see a decline. dss David Stodolsky Skype: davidstodolsky Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=32615