X-Message-Number: 7159
Date:  Mon, 18 Nov 96 14:06:02 
From: Steve Bridge <>
Subject: Cryonics and Science Fiction

To CryoNet
>From Steve Bridge, Alcor
November 18, 1996

In reply to:   Message #7153
                     Date: Mon, 18 Nov 1996 11:35:27 +1030 (CST)

                     From: Sundance Bilson-Thompson 
                     <>
                     Subject: Re: Broadening the base of Cryonics + Sci-fi

     In my personal opinion and experience, Sundance and Olaf Henny 
may be somewhat off-base in assuming that the science fiction fan 
community is a good place for finding cryonicists.  It is true that 
the general category of "people who like to read science fiction" is 
one sorting method for finding "people who might sign up for 
cryonics", but it is a coarse filter at best.  Only by combining that 
with other filters such as "owns computer," "understands the 
difference between science and fiction," "works at a meaningful job," 
etc. can you even begin to narrow it down.

     Most people who are part of SF fandom -- the people who go to 
conventions, collect thousands of paperbacks, dress up funny, and 
talk Trek-speak -- are interested in the future only as 
entertainment.  They don't want to *be there.*  Of course, this is not 
true of everyone.  Brian Shock, Hugh Hixon, and I have each attended 
many SF conventions over the years, and I see other cryonicists 
there.  But even the more serious readers and science-oriented people 
are not in "serious mode" while at the conventions.  I have concluded 
that attending SF onventions to find cryonicists is probably a poor 
use of one's time and money.  You may find one or two new members; 
but they would probably have run across you anyway in their science 
circles.

     SF on-line discussion groups may be a slightly better filter, 
but I suspect only marginally so.  Yes, you may find a higher 
percentage of literacy there and by definition there is a 
"computer-owner filter;" but from my limited perusal of such groups, 
the attitude is still the same.  They are watchers, not doers.  They 
fantasize about the future; but they take no actions to influence it 
or to get there themselves.  The future is not a *real* place to them.

     I will be curious to know if you guys get anywhere with 
discusions on SF on-line groups.  If you bring in some cryonics 
members --  as opposed to merely having lively discussions with 
people who look upon *taming you* as an intellectual challenge -- I 
will be deeply impressed.  

     This approach is NOT one I will place any emphasis on here at 
Alcor, however.

>From Sundance:

> There are probably plenty of people in the world who are not actively
> opposed to the idea of cryonics, who would like to live the longest,
> healthiest life possible, but who are sufficiently well educated to be
> aware of the difficulties facing cryonics, and who have not been exposed
> to the plans for how to overcome those difficulties. 

     Absolutely true.  I merely submit that most of these people have 
better things to do than type discussions of science fiction into 
news groups. 

> Science fiction fandom is full of people who want to see the future, and
> people with sound scientific knowledge. 

     Very few people in SF fandom want to SEE the future.  They just 
want to read about it or see movies about it.  It is an escape from 
real life for them.  Unfortunately, understanding cryonics means 
understanding and accepting this life (*your* life) and the future 
which proceeds from it -- or the death that obliterates it -- as 
*real.* 

Steve


Stephen Bridge, President ()

Alcor Life Extension Foundation
Non-profit cryonic suspension services since 1972.
7895 E. Acoma Dr., Suite 110, Scottsdale AZ 85260-6916
Phone (602) 922-9013  (800) 367-2228   FAX (602) 922-9027
 for general requests
http://www.alcor.org


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