X-Message-Number: 788
Subject: Perception of alt. groups
Date: Fri, 01 May 92 12:51:55 -0400
From: 

 (R Enns) says:
>I think creating an alt.cryonics newsgroup would be very unwise.  The 
>general perception of alt groups would do more damage to cryonics than
>the actual content of the base itself (IMHO).

I think we need to think in smaller chunks than the "general
perception".  

Some people will respond mostly to the form of a communication (or
some other indicator of the opinions of others) while ignoring the
content; these people may be predjudiced against cryonics if they
think of it as

   some loony idea which other people don't like; I know they don't
   like it because it's dealt with on some alt group

On the other hand, these people are probably already thinking of
cryonics as

   some loony idea which other people don't like; I know they don't
   like it because the medical establishment doesn't support it

so I doubt they are part of the group we can hope to successfully sell to.

Other people will respond to the meaning rather than the form, and
they won't be put off by the "alt."  prefix.  We can reasonably hope
to sell to these people.  They need to hear reasonable discussion
about the idea, and they can get it from an alt. group.

As kqb's earlier post mentioned, the real choice at this point is
between an alt group and no group.  With an alt group we will get a
chance to talk to the latter people.  With no group we'll lose both.

>Even if we lost the attempt to create a sci group, the exposure in
>news.groups would certainly increase general awareness (i.e. many people
>from very diverse backgrounds monitor news.groups).

It's clear by now that it isn't sufficient to say the word "cryonics"
and give a definition to get converts.  It's a much longer
conversation; we won't get much of value from a one-time exposure in
news.groups.

>Trying for alt.cryonics puts us on the same level as alt.McDonalds.

Alt groups often get promoted into the official hierarchy.  The stigma
of being a topic discussed on alt groups isn't as strong as you say.

Tim

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