X-Message-Number: 9367
Date: Sun, 29 Mar 1998 16:27:23 -0700 (MST)
From:  (Dave & Trudy Pizer)
Subject: Re: CryoNet #9361 - #9364

Pizer adds to Ettinger's comments.

Robert Etinger said:

snip................

>The main theme of Charles' post was that growth should not be our first
>priority. I won't attempt to tell others where to put their priorities, but it
>seems clear to me that growth should not be neglected. Growth certainly will
>contribute to our strength more than it drains. If CC is discouraged by anemic
>growth rates, their response is their business; but CI's response to slow
>growth is to try to speed it up--AND improve service at the same time.


I strongly agree.  I think growth is the key to our survival.  And growth
can be a priority without hurting in any other areas like research or
storage.  In fact, with growth come the resources to enlarge other areas.

We have under 1000 people world-wide signed up and fully funded for cryonic
suspension with any one of the cryonics organzations.  This is a tiny number.

Compared to how reasonable cryonics is, and the value of the potential
payoff, it is mind-boggling why more people havn't signed up.  We have been
pretty well known for over 10 years, less well known (but still known of)
for a lot longer than that.


It is very sad to see the current drop in growth rate of *net* members in
the world wide movement.  I am optimistic that the coming better relations

between all cryonics organizations will give more people reasons to sign up now.

Why?

The other day, I read that there are now 60,000 Americans alive over the age
of 100.  Perhaps people are putting their hope in living old enough - until
the age of youth pills - rather than the chilling thought of being frozen.  ???

One trend that I have noticed in the last couple of years, is the 
high rate of people cancelling their memberships (not switching - just
dropping out).  So if 6 people sign up world wide in a month, and 5 people
drop out, the net gain is not much.  Certainly the growth 
rate of net gain is dropping.  Why?

One explanation is that a while ago, a lot of people funded their
suspensions with term insurance.  When it comes up for renewal years later,
and they are older, the premiums are a lot higher than they had thought
(and/or could afford).  But I suspect that is not the main reason.  I don't
know what it is.  It just doesn't make sense that a person would do all the
work of filling out the paper work, getting funding in place, and the other
work, and then change their minds several years later.

Perhaps we (the hard-core cryonicists) should do more work in member
retention than getting new members?

Any suggestions are welcome.

Dave  Pizer

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