X-Message-Number: 8383 Date: 16 Jul 97 19:29:55 EDT From: "Stephen W. Bridge" <> Subject: Marty's Probabilities To CryoNet From Steve Bridge July 16, 1997 In reply to: Message #8369 Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 19:35:18 -0700 From: Marty Nemko <> Subject: Nagging questions Several people have already replied to Marty's specific objections, so I won't say much about those. One could argue with anyone's particular figures; but definitely Marty's "Billion to one" scenario is more a product of pessimism than of careful calculation. One angle that hasn't been explained, though, is much more basic: no matter WHAT the actual chances of most of those factors, *we can influence them.* We are not seeds being blown by the wind. Marty (and others): -- You can choose and *support* the group you join (and the other groups, so you have a back-up). -- You can work to raise public support for cryonics (and its related technologies). -- You can make sure to provide above-minimum funding to your cryonics organization. -- You can arrange emergency supplemental funding to be held outside your cryonics organization. -- You can set up a trust in many states which will last for 99 years and may "pay you back" in the future, with compounded interest. In a couple of locations, it may be possible to form a perpetual trust, with no close- out date. -- You can organize or join local cryonics groups to give yourselves a better chance at being preserved under good circumstances. -- You can donate or invest money for research in cryonics and related technologies. -- You can convince your family that you have the right to your own decisions and only consult with physicians who agree. You can sign the LEGAL DOCUMENTS with a cryonics organization to prevent your family from interference (at least legally). Yes, there are many things in life that we cannot control. We can't do a thing about falling meteors or nuclear war. So give yourself as much margin as you can, then act. Sitting still does not work. >2. What's the current thinking on the pros and cons of CryoCare vs. >Alcor? Marty, the current thinking is: CryoCare members think you should join CryoCare. Alcor members think you should join Alcor. Cryonics Institute members..., ACS members... As humans, once we have made a choice, we exert a great deal of internal energy to persuading ourselves that we have made the right choice. This is true whether we are talking about selecting mates, cars, computers, or cryonics groups. You will not receive an objective opinion on this question here on CryoNet. Even if we COULD be objective, we can only guess about what group will be the best for you in 20 years (or whenever you actually need its services). So go join the group YOU think is best now; then work hard to make it survive and grow. Steve Bridge Alcor Board Member Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=8383