X-Message-Number: 7492 Date: 12 Jan 97 23:13:38 EST From: Paul Wakfer <> Subject: Public Relations and Research Steve Bridge wrote: > I agree the balance is out of proportion; but here is *why* -- We >cannot do much research without MONEY and INTERESTED RESEARCHERS. Public >relations is absolutely necessary to promote several improvements that >lead to more research: >1. Adding more members increases the number of people willing to donation >funds and energy. Adding more members who *believe* that cryonics will work doesn't help us at all; it just gives us all a false sense of security. >2. More members increases the likelihood that *other* people with the >funds and commitment of Saul Kent and Bill Faloon will become involved -- >leading to more research. I believe that something which Saul has stated many times is relevant here. He was a cryonicist first and *then* set out to make the money necessary to further his desire for vast life extension. It is much less likely that those who become wealthy first, and then are attracted to cryonics, will be induced to part with large sums of money to make it successful. Although, I still remain hopeful about this possibility. >3. More members increases the probability that new leaders will come >along to make sure that this endeavor doesn't run out of gas (or out of >liquid nitrogen). Most of the highly involved cryonics leaders and >researchers have gone through at least one major burn-out. While this is true, it should be noted that a much larger percentage of those being currently attracted to cryonics are "consumers" than was true for those attracted in the past. I believe that this is in part due to the current activities and promotion methods of cryonics organizations. >4. More public relations increases the general respectibility of cryonics >in the local community, improving the chances that more money and time >will be available to be spent on research than on legal conflicts. Again true, but missing the more important value of improving the respectability of cryonics with the opinion molding communities of scientists and academicians. Research must not be seen as just a by-product of cryonics promotion as implied here. How can any of us be satisfied to be signed up for something which we don't even know works? Cryonics research and publishable scientific advances must become the foundation -- the heart and soul -- of what cryonics is all about. >5. More PR increases the general respectibility of cryonics within the >scientific and medical communities. Granted, *true, broad respect* will >only come with more research. I believe that this is very misleading. True, by behaving like "nice guys" (Steve's description of himself), we will generally have such behavior returned, however misguided others believe us to be. But true respect for our ideas and their worth will only come from showing that we really mean what we are saying and that these ideas show promise of being true. And that can only be accomplished by doing real science and making real progress toward suspended animation. -- Paul -- Paul Wakfer email: phone:909-481-9620 pager:800-805-2870 HELP TO ACHIEVE - PERFECTED SUSPENDED ANIMATION WITHIN 20 YEARS! Check out the Prometheus Project web site at URL: http://www.prometheus-project.org/prometheus/ Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=7492