Philosophy of a Cryonicist Interviews Hugh Hixon- Part II Alcor is ... Cryonics is ... The Alcor Foundation is a non-profit tax­ Cryonic suspension is the application of low-temperature exempt scientific and educational organization. Alcor preservation tech-nology to today's terminal patients. The currently has 25 members in cryonic suspension, hundreds goal of cryonic suspension and the technology of cryonics is of Suspension Members--people who have arrangements to the transport of today's terminal patients to a time in the be suspended--and hundreds more in the process of becom­ future when cell/tissue repair technology is available, and ing Suspension Members. Our Emergency Response restoration to full function and health is possible--a time capability includes equipment and trained technicians in when freezing damage is a fully reversible injury and cures New York, Canada, Indiana, North California, and exist for virtually all of today's diseases, including aging. England, and a cool-down and perfusion facility in Florida. As human knowledge and medical technology continue to The Alcor facility, located in Southern California, expand in scope, people who would incorrectly be includes a full-time staff with employees present 24 hours a considered dead by today's medicine will commonly be day. The facility also has a fully equipped and operational restored to life and health. This coming control over living research laboratory, an ambulance for local response, an systems should allow us to fabricate new organisms and operating room, and a patient storage facility consisting of sub-cell-sized devices for repair and resuscitation of patients several stainless steel, state-of-the-art storage vessels. waiting in cryonic suspension. Subscribe to Cryonics!!! Cryonics magazine explores and promotes the practical, scientific, and social aspects of ultra-low temperature preservation of humans. As the publication of the Alcor Life Extension Foundation-the world's largest and most advanced cryonics organization-Cryonics takes a realistic, real-world approach to the challenge of maintaining in a biologically unchanging state patients who have reached the limitations of modern medicine. Cryonics contains thoughtful, provocative discussions of cryonic suspensions performed by Alcor, related research, nanotechnology and molecular engineering, book reviews, the phy­ sical format of memory and personality, the nature of identity, and more. First-time subscribers get one entire year-- that's twelve issues -- for only $15. SUBSCRIBE!!!!

Want Detailed Information? Cryonics: Reaching For Tomorrow is truly the world's only "textbook" introduction to cryonics. Over one hundred pages long, C.R.F. T. is a fantastic and unique examination of the social, practical, and scientific arguments that support the continuing refinement of today's imperfect cryonic suspension techniques, with an eye toward eventual perfected . C.R.F. T. is also a comprehensive introduction to the Alcor Foundation. This book is free with your $15 subscription to Cryonics magazine, or can be purchased separately for 7.95. • r 0 ICS Feature Articles

Volume 14(1) A New Era Begins January, 1993 Carlos Mondragon 10 Issue 150, ISSN 1054-4305

From President-Elect Stephen Bridge To the Alcor Membership Stephen Bridge 16 Cryonics is the magazine of the Alcor Life Extension Foundation, Inc. Philosophy of a Cryonicist Editor: Ralph Whelan Contributing Editor: Hugh Hixon An lnteJView with Hugh Hixon - Part II Production Editors: Eric Geislinger Ralph Whelan 18 and Jane Talisman

Published monthly. Individual subscrip­ Review: Nanosystems by K. Eric Drexler tions: $35 per year in the U.S.; $40 per Thomas Donaldson 24 year in Canada and Mexico; $45 per year all others. Back issues are $3.50 each in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico; $4.50 each 1988 all others. David Pizer 26 Please address all editorial correspon­ dence to ALCOR, 12327 Doherty Street, Riverside, CA 92503 or phone (800) Columns 367-2228 or (714) 736-1703. FAX#: (714) 736-6917. E-mail: [email protected] For the Record Mike Perry 4

Future Tech Contents copyright 1992 by the Alcor H. Keith Henson 6 Life Extension Foundation, Inc., except where otherwise noted. All rights The Real-World Interface reserved. The opinions expressed herein Charles Platt 8 are not necessarily those of the Alcor Life Extension Foundation or its Board Cryonics One Decade Ago of Directors or management. Ralph Whelan 23

Alcor Board of Directors

Carlos Mondragon, President Ralph Whelan, Vice President Departments David Pizer, Treasurer Keith Henson Up Front 2 Hugh Hixon Brenda Peters Letters to the Editor 3 Steve Bridge Mark Voelker Membership Status 9 Allen Lopp Advertisements & Personals 27

Upcoming Events 29

Issue to press: December 13, 1992. Cover: Hugh Hixon is interviewed by Ralph Whelan in this month's cover story. Up Front by Ralph Whelan

still on the Suspension Team are continuing repeat of his ERIS 1992 talk in Aspen, In This Issue - and accelerating. And there is now a Colorado. Ross has given numerous talks on Anyone who follows Cryonics and/or much more concerted effort to involve "out­ Libertarian and Extropian themes. reads Cryonet postings is well aware of the side" medical professionals in future suspen­ Among the topics he will discuss are strife and political upheaval that have dom­ sions. I want to publicly thank Tanya Jones, Life Extension, Human Uploading, Cry­ inated Alcor for the past few months. Some Hugh Hixon, and Keith Henson for their onics, Cell Repair Scenarios, and Trans­ members have despairingly exclaimed that relentless efforts in these regards. humanism. such divisiveness cannot go on, that the The second major change: Carlos The talk should be interesting and cryonics community is too small and too Mondragon has resigned as President of challenging. For reservations, directions, poor to waste its resources this way. Others Alcor effective January 23, 1992, at which and additional information, call 310-285- shrug and grudgingly accept the turmoil as time Stephen Bridge will replace him as 9321. an inevitable component of growth. It's President and CEO. probably reasonable to expect a middle­ Carlos has been president of Alcor Business Meeting Report ground of sorts in the future, where stress since the now-infamous " Crisis" Abort and strife will be present (especially as the of '87-'88, when he took over from Mike membership total continues to climb), but Darwin, who had been president for five­ If you page through this issue only to the political edginess of the past few months and-a-half years. Carlos' five-year tenure discover that your copy is missing the will wane. has surely marked the healthiest half-decade monthly Business Meeting Report, don't Before the political tension does wane, in Alcor's twenty-year history, with a panic. The December meeting, as usual, however, it's likely to mount a little bit factor-of-ten increase in assets and well over turned out to be a Turkey. No business, no more. As we move into 1993, two major three times the total membership base. minutes, no kidding. Just music, lively con­ changes face Alcor, one having just oc­ Steve Bridge has been a vastly dedi­ versation, and ... well, turkey. Expect an curred and one just about to. cated member/volunteer since the late extra-special (that is, extra long) Business First, , past President and 1970s, when he was active in Indianapolis Meeting Report in the next issue, as well as head of the Transport Team for Alcor, has with Mike Darwin in lABS (Institute for a few snapshots from that Turkey Thing that resigned from his contract to provide train­ Advanced Biological Studies), which later you were absolutely stark- raving bonkers to ing for Alcor staff and volunteers, to serve merged with Alcor. Steve has served as a miss. on the Suspension Team during future past Editor of Cryonics, as a Certified mem­ See you next year ... or else. suspensions, and to provide consulting ber of the Transport Team, as President of regarding general readiness. the Indianapolis Chapter of Alcor, as a Is Cryonics Having A Baby? Mike's official employment with Alcor member of the Board of Directors, and ceased at the end of last year, though he has more. One interesting side-issue that has pop­ participated in the subsequent five sus­ Like the departure of Mike Darwin, the ped up several times during the difficulties pensions as an independent contractor. change in presidency from Carlos to Steve is of the past few months is the somewhat Throughout the past several months, proceeding under an atmosphere of tension sideline-ish role that Cryonics magazine has however, the contractual relationship be­ and disagreement. But, to make things a lit­ played. With so many powerful political tween Mike and Alcor became increasingly tle bit clearer, both Carlos and Steve have hands being played, shouldn't Cryonics have strained, as conflicts of principle and per­ written articles for this issue explaining their been deep in the ring, reporting every sonality heightened. Eventually, it was clear perspective with regard to this change and nuance of the controversy? Or should that Mike would only work with Alcor under other things as well. Both articles are deftly Cryonics be free of the political winds of the conditions which Alcor (the majority of the written and insightful, and I will leave the moment, instead concentrating on scientific, staff and Board, that is) found unacceptable, interpretation of them to you. social, economic, and cultural matters? while Alcor would only work with Mike I'll close by thanking the many mem­ What is the proper role of such a publica­ under conditions which Mike found unac­ bers who've made their efforts and insights tion, and is the current format adhering to ceptable. Mike handed in his resignation. available during the trials of the past year, that role? The obvious question, then, is: Can and by requesting the patience of all who - As usual, there are as many intricate, Alcor do suspensions without Mike Darwin? like us -are deeply concerned about the unassailable Position Papers on this topic as And if so, how well? potential outcomes of the changes we're there are members. Refreshingly, though, The answer to that question is: we'll now experiencing. With your support and they all seem to point toward the same see. Really, the answer varies wildly de­ understanding, we will continue to improve, problem: Cryonics is really two publications pending on whom you ask. (And unfor­ expand, and augment what has been and will in one, in that it acts both as an informa­ tunately, all of those most prepared to make continue to be the finest cryonic suspension tional and educational vehicle for existing an informed statement on the topic are quite organization in the world. Long life! members, and it acts as an introduction and clearly interested parties.) But the prevail­ marketing tool for potential members. Not ing opinion among current staff and Suspen­ Nock Talk surprisingly, in attempting to accomplish sion Team members is clearly that we do both of these tasks, it performs sub-opti­ still have a solid suspension capability, and David Ross will be speaking on "Seven mally at both. And yes, the solution has it's still the best there is in the world. And Paths to Immortality" at the Nock Forum in always seemed obvious: create a newsletter, understanding and readiness in those of us Hollywood on January 20, 1993. This is a The Alcor News (or whatever), which spe-

2 • Cryonics • January 1993 cializes in informing existing members, so Cryonics would not lose its importance to Now, a qualified member is offering to that Cryonics can shed those duties and existing members. Many items of interest donate his efforts in producing such a serve better as a marketing tool. But where and importance to members would continue newsletter, if Alcor will foot the bill­ will the effort, time, and money for such a to appear in Cryonics, while documents, or which is likely to be in the $2,000 to $4,000 project come from? (I should emphasize member-oriented exchanges would move range. Is it time to make this split? Is the ex­ here that if such a newsletter is created, over to the newsletter.) pense justified? What do you think? Letters to the Editor

Dear Ralph: cor's Bookkeeper, Joe Hovey, and ask him to some bank in Timbuktu? to add a specific amount to your Emergen­ What exactly is being planned? I The October 12, 1992 issue of News­ cy Standby Fee each month, quarter, or haven't heard or read any specifics, except week magazine features an article titled, year (depending on which option you use that Saul once told me that once his Life "ET, Phone Us," about NASA's plan to to pay). Extension Foundation's problems with the spend $100 million over the next ten years Just a simple note authorizing him to FDA were over, he wanted LEF to com­ to search for radio signals from intelligent bill you for an extra amount will help us bine with Alcor in order change the U.S. extraterrestrials. One of the boosters of raise the extra money we need. In addition Government(!)- was he really serious? this project, astronomer Frank Drake, is to giving the staff the protection they need Whatever his plans, will he be able to quoted from his new book, Is Anyone Out with this new health insurance, your ges­ maintain the one vote majority on the There?, to the effect that if we contact ETs ture is a show of your support to the staff board by which Steve Bridge was elected more advanced than humanity, they would for their dedication and hard work. in order to implement his agenda? If not, probably be immortal because they, like I urge you to join me in a show of then where will be the leadership Alcor we, foresaw that they could conquer aging support now by sending in regular monthly needs? and death through technological means, donations or authorizing Joe to begin bill­ What happens when there is no time and then proceeded to do so as soon as ing you for a regular donation amount of for a board meeting and Saul can't be their technology was up to the task. your choice. reached? Alcor will now depend on Steve As an immortalist I have to ask the Thank you for your help. Bridge. I like Steve, he's a good person, obvious question: Would it not be better to but based on his resume, how can anyone spend $100 million to make ourselves im­ Sincerely, predict the quality of his decisions? How mortal before we spend such a sum in David Pizer does managerial experience in a children's search of these hypothetical immortal Alcor Treasurer library bureaucracy relate to the hard-core, ET's? ground breaking operations of a cryonics Cryonics: organization? I'm sure Steve will improve Long life, things as far as being organized is con­ Mark Plus Why is it that Alcor' s change of man­ cerned, but how do we know how he will Wrightwood, CA agement- the election of Steve Bridge as hold up under the pressure of being in president - was announced by an official command when that happens? Alcor needs Dear Cryonics: looking "release" on the Cryonet (authored a strong leader at all times - Steve will by Courtney Smith)? Does this mean that have the responsibility, but where will the I often hear our members asking how 's policy will henceforth be to authority be when things get tense? they can help Alcor become a better or­ use non-board members, non-employees to This is all very scary because in spite ganization. One way members can help is communicate exclusively with this or that of these worries Alcor is still our best bet to show their support for our staff. part of Alcor's membership? Who's kid­ for survival. How long will that be so? Recently the Alcor board authorized a ding whom about who's really in charge? health insurance package for our staff I had been willing to trust Alcor's Ever forward, where Alcor pays for half the premiums board and staff not just because I knew David Brian Christiansen and each staff member pays the other half. them all, but because I expected them to be When I presented the plan to the Board, I accountable. But how well can we trust an Dear Cryonics: told the Board that I felt that there was Alcor that is under the control of people support for our staff and that our members who have no official position or legal I would like to inform Cryonics would send in donations to cover Alcor's responsibility for the organization? readers that the members of the Patient portion. Now that we have the insurance, I If major changes at Alcor will now be Care Fund Advisory Committee and of the am writing and asking for your help. made at "special meetings" of the board Endowment Fund Advisory Committee Alcor's portion on the insurance for - called with minimum notice to the resigned on August 27, 1992. all the staff members is about $300 per directors and no notice at all to members month. You can help by sending in your -we all have reason to worry. This was Sincerely, donation each month and marking it also the way by which Saul accomplished Erik Klien "Employee's Health Insurance Donation." his takeover of Cryovita. What's next? Las Vegas, NV Or, you may want to write to or call Al- Will the Patient Care Trust Fund be moved

Cryonics • January 1993 • 3 For the Record

Gold from Dross

Michael Perry

As cryonicists we often encounter op­ sense, and in general is a piece of trash. to the outside, is powered by a convention­ position from "experts," particularly the The point is that sometimes words of wis­ al atomic drive (realistically, there is no scientific establishment, who are ever dom , or other things of value, appear in faster-than-light travel!), so centuries are resourceful with excuses for why it is not unlikely-seeming places. In this column needed for the journey, and generations worthwhile pursuing our goals. This I've assembled, in addition to the above, a live and die on board. (Here there is no problem -a resistance to innovation and few other instances of such "gold from cure of aging and in fact the technological change, however constructive and desir­ dross," that are relevant to the problems level differs little, in many ways, from the able it may be - is a recurring one, par­ we face in cryonics. There are many more mid-twentieth century setting in which the ticularly in the halls of academia, where it examples and this should be taken as a book was written.) The spinning provides might be hoped that the learned professors brief introduction only. artificial gravity, so that what we would would be happy to consider new and excit­ The second case I want to consider call "outer" levels (closest to the surface) ing scientific prospects. One observer of concerns the noted science fiction writer are "lower" to the inhabitants within. The this phenomenon, some years ago, com­ Robert Heinlein. Many cryonicists are ship is in reality a giant terrarium, warmed mented: familiar with his haunting and beautiful by atomic fuel and heavily insulated from "I have found the Professors as a novel, The Door into Summer, in which he energy loss to the outside, with the lower body, though learned in received theories, uses the device of cold sleep to transport levels given over to farming. There is little to be among the least competent to decide characters into the future, without aging. incentive or need to venture forth from the on any newly discovered principle. Their This in turn is only one of many works in self-contained environment. Knowledge of interest, education, pride, prejudice, which interesting futuristic themes are ex­ the original mission, and of the nature of self-love and vanity, all rise in resistance plored, that of immortality or greatly ex­ things generally, degenerates as genera­ to anything which conflicts with their tended lifespan being prominent among tions go by, accelerated by a revolt that tenets, or which outruns the limits of their them. Unfortunately Heinlein was unable has left a hostile crowd of mutant humans own reasoning. So little do they look to see the advantage to himself of a life ex­ in control of the upper (inner) levels of the beyond the principles inculcated by educa­ tended through science, and he died in ship. The uppermost level includes the tion, and so tenaciously do they hold on to 1988 without being frozen. On the best of control room where there is a view port these, that when driven from one principle, his wonderful ideas he couldn't have been showing the depths of space and thus, that they fall back to another, and when beaten wholly serious and sincere, yet the ideas there is a Universe Outside, but this is from all, they return again to the first, and are there just the same. In deciding which mostly unknown to the low-level inhab­ maintain themselves by dogged assertion, to share one is confronted with an embar­ itants. A mythology has grown up mean­ or charging their assailants with ignorance rassment of riches. The following is just while, in Paradise Lost fashion, in which and a lack of science." one of many possibilities, but can be con­ Jordan, the organizer of the expedition, Certainly this has validity for us if we sidered representative. It is not even and Huff, the leader of the revolt, play replace "Professors" with "Cryobiologists" directly concerned with the conquest of roughly the roles of God and Satan, (who often are also professors) and con­ death, but like the quote above, with more respectively. Hugh Hoyland, a low-level sider the resistance to date of the latter to general progress in scientific understand­ inhabitant, is a young apprentice scientist, cryonics. It just so happens that the quota­ ing, and the opposition and prejudice this learning arithmetic and other advanced tion is from an 1874 book by one John A. often arouses. arts, but is also inquisitive enough to make Parker, the main purport of which is to The novel Orphans of the Sky con­ an exploratory foray to the upper levels. square the circle (that is, to construct, cerns an attempted Earth expedition ("the There he falls into the clutches of Joe-Jim using only a ruler and compass, a square Trip"), starting in the early 22nd century, Gregory, a two-headed mutant who amuses equal in area to a given circle, something to reach the vicinity of Alpha Centauri himself (Joe, that is, while the other head, that would be proved impossible in 1882). some 4 1/3 light years away. The ship, a Jim, is asleep) trying to explain to his The book has other mathematical non- large spinning cylinder with few windows young captive that there is, indeed, a

4 • Cryonics • January 1993 World Outside. something about that is likely to be met the atomic bomb by which we were " ... 'Did it ever occur to you that the with dismay and denial, both at the pos­ "shocked into a reevaluation of the quality Trip was just what the old books said it sibility and the propriety of it. Heinlein of life itself," and perhaps, called upon to was - the Ship and all the Crew actually was surely aware of this, and in his writ­ improve it. going somewhere, moving?' ings (in many passages at least) took the "The capacity of man to destroy him­ "Hoyland thought about it. 'You don't optimistic stance of favoring life exten­ self provoked another response, perhaps mean for me to take you seriously. Physi­ sion, though unfortunately when all was arising from his conscience, and as he con­ cally, it's an impossibility. The Ship can't said and done, not really. tinued to build 'bfgger and better' instru­ go anywhere. It already is everywhere. We For the last case of gold from dross I ments of destruction, he also endeavored can make a trip through it, but the Trip - turn closer to home, to the man many to find new ways of prolonging life. The that has to have a spiritual meaning, if it regard as the nemesis of cryonics. Robert Golden Age of Medical Research was has any.' Nelson became notorious for his decep­ launched, and the battle to conquer death "Joe called on Jordan to support him. tions and his failed cryonics operation at and disease became everyman's personal 'Now listen,' he said, 'get this through that the Chatsworth cemetery. Earlier though, war, regardless of his political and philo­ thick head of yours. Imagine a sophical convictions." place a lot bigger than the That a few were not con­ Ship, a lot bigger, with the tent to let matters rest here Ship inside it - moving. should not seem surprising: D'you get it?' "Is it any wonder then, "Hugh tried. He tried very that someone would carry the hard. He shook his head. 'It struggle one step further and doesn't make sense,' he said. challenge the necessity for 'There can't be anything dying at all? Certainly, few bigger than the Ship. There men face the prospect of death wouldn't be any place for it to with equanimity. Man fights be.' this grim intruder with every "Oh, for Huff's sake! Lis­ weapon modern science places ten - outside the Ship, get at his command and willingly that? Straight down beyond the contributes great portions of level in every direction. Emp­ his capital, garnered in today's tiness out there. Understand jungle-like commercial arena, me?' toward the advancement of the " 'But there isn't anything science that might one day below the lowest level. That's prove death unnecessary." why it's the lowest level.' " The point is then made When Joe suggests im­ that the freezing of Bedford agining, as a thought experi­ ("Harold Greene" in the book) ment, digging a hole at the opens the possibility of life ex­ lowest level to get to the Out­ tension to every man, woman side, Hugh is upset. and child. There is a lively dis­ "He began to get some cussion and answering of ob­ glimmering of a possibility, a jections on such topics as why possibility that was unsettling, we should freeze now rather soul-shaking. He was falling, than ~ait for the process to be falling into a hole that he had "perfected" and why the "pop­ dug which had no levels under ulation explosion" is not so it. ... 'That's awful!' he ejacu­ serious as to make life exten­ lated. 'I won't believe it.' " sion inadvisable. Some addi­ It's easy for us, from our knowing he had seemed sincere and committed. tional space is devoted to an eloquent plea vantage point, to appreciate the absurdity After the freezing of , car­ that dying children, especially, should be of Hugh's objections and fears. For him ried out under his direction in 1967, he frozen. A couple whose son died of leu­ the universe is spatially bounded, within a wrote a book, We Froze the First Man. A kemia "dissolved their marriage, each one rather narrow compass (only a few miles few passages from this work outline an in­ a constant reminder to the other of the around, in fact, at the lowest and broadest spiring philosophical stance and a plea for cruel tragedy they both wanted to forget." level). Any suggestion of the existence of action. "And yet, I talk to doctors who stead­ something beyond what has always been "We are living in an age when the old fastly maintain that to advise a parent of everything is more than a little unsettling. answers do not fit the new questions, and the possibility of cryogenic suspension On the other hand, as immortalists we at the risk of great agony, we are forced to would be to give that parent false hope. know that a similar narrow focus is normal discard the pat and the obvious and open False hope. There is no qualified scientist for people in general, whose lives, though ourselves to the realities which have been or medical man living today who can state not bounded in space as here are certainly thrust upon us with unexpected force ... " unequivocally that what we propose is im­ bounded in time. Any suggestion of doing Nelson reminds us of the advent of possible or will not be accomplished even-

Cryonics • January 1993 • 5 tually. I pinned one such medical man We must resist making a "dogma" out of cryonicists, being such strong-willed in­ down and asked him if he didn't consider cryonics, while continuing to further it as dividualists, in their bickering and it his responsibility as a physician, in ac­ best we can, as long as it continues to offer ego-clashes have often done much more cordance with the Hippocratic oath which hope that alternatives cannot. Among other harm than good. We need especially to clearly states that 'I will follow that things, we need improvements in our keep this in mind as Alcor grows. I think method of treatment which, according to procedures to offset the possibility that the level of harmful divisiveness now is my ability and judgment, I consider for the they aren't yet good enough to deliver all great, and it must diminish if Alcor is to benefit of my patients,' to advise a ter­ we would like. And if nothing else, we fulfill its mission of defeating death, the minal patient, or more particularly his need improvements to more easily con­ real enemy of us all. parents when that patient is a child, of the vince people to take cryonics seriously. possibility and availability of cryogenic Second, good ideas can and often do Sources: suspension ... come from questionable sources. We need "While this 'doctor's' answer was, to be able to make intelligent use of such Heinlein, R. Orphans of the Sky, Signet, admittedly, extreme, he said, 'there are too ideas, wherever they come from, without 1965, quotations from p. 29. many people in the world already.' extending our trust further than is war­ "Tell that to the parent of a dying ranted. This requires objectively assessing Heinlein, R. The Door into Summer, Sig­ child!" both the ideas and their originators. net, 1964. To briefly conclude, a few thoughts Finally, we all have our golden mo­ are suggested by the cases above. ments, along with the less-than-stellar per­ Nelson, R. We Froze the First Man, Dell, One is that the "professors" are often formances. So here I make a generic plea 1968, quotations from pp. 124-126. right after all, and many good-sounding for some toleration of others' shortcom­ ideas are fatally flawed. Hopefully it won't ings, and an attempt to encourage the more Parker, J. Quadrature of the Circle, Wiley, be true for our special preoccupation of constructive contributions and diminish 1874, quoted in Beckmann, P., A History cryonics, but we don't know for sure yet, the motives for strife. Complacency and of Pi, St. Martin's, 3rd ed., 1974, p.179. and probably won't know for some time. toleration must not go too far, yet I think

Future Tech

Cool Heads

H. Keith Henson

Last time I said I might try to report What made us delay this project was were very concerned that the little pump on the controlled neuro cooler project - the work load that cooling puts on the motors we were planning to use would not especially if we got it done. We didn't, but staff. A rotating team of people has to be able to start up near the temperature of I am going to report on the progress to watch the cooling process for about two dry ice (light oil gets as stiff as heavy date anyway. days, and control it by adding chunks of grease) so the initial design included a Early last spring, just after the first dry ice to a five-gallon bucket of silicon pump operating continuously and a suspension of the year, Hugh Hixon and I oil. While we don't mind doing this for solenoid switching a hose back and forth were planning another pig training session. patients, the thought of subjecting staff between the silicon oil running over the In the interest of getting as much as we members to this grueling task twice for dry ice and just recirculating back to the could (using all but the squeal) out of the something which really should have been bucket with the patient. If more cooling pig, we had decided to do a neuro isolation turned into head cheese was just too much. was needed, the oil was to flow over the and glycerol perfusion on top of the Hugh and I decided to delay the training dry ice more of the time. planned blood washout, and .then freeze for a month or two, and build a computer The initial design for the cooler con­ the pig's head. A cryobiological researcher controlled cooler. sisted of a box made out of glued 2-inch wanted to see what difference in damage We decided to stick with dry ice and styrofoam with a metal frame inside to we got with slow and fast cooling, so we silicon oil. Control of the cooling rate was hold the pump, solenoid, and two con­ were planning to do two with different to be by varying the amount of oil pumped tainers. I put it together, welding, cutting, cooling curves. into a can containing dry ice chunks. We gluing, etc. in my back yard over a period

6 • Cryonics • January 1993 hairy internal modifications the factory would never have approved of to get it to work without shredding itself. After making the modifications, I ran it on my workbench pumping cold silicon oil for an hour (photograph). It was not much of a surprise that it started up with­ out problems after pumping oil at near -78 degrees C - the pump was designed to pump liquids to 100 psi, and to start with that much back pressure. This let us simplify the control method. Though it had worked okay, switching the flow back and forth by moving tubing with a solenoid was kind of a kludge. Just switching the pump motor on and off to control the cool­ ing rate is a simple solution. We have always taken some trouble to cool patients slow enough to avoid "shell freezing." This is a condition where outer layers freeze first and then are cracked by Testing pump number two at my home workshop. inner layers expanding as they freeze. Once during a test Hugh and I needed a simulated heat load, so we dropped in a of two or three months, and wrote a con­ patient's temperature descent to -78 gallon baggie nearly full of water (in place trol program partly by patching together degrees C had to be done by hand addition of a patient), and ran at the maximum chunks from other programs. of dry ice. cooling rate. The shell freezing was most Hofstadter's Law says everything al­ Cold silicon oil dissolves up a lot of spectacular! The largest crack in the result- ways takes longer, ·even when you take COz, and fizzes like soda Hofstadter's Law into account! This water as it goes through a project ran into delays about as bad as any pump. It was my opinion I have ever seen. The changes in the Cryo­ that the little centrifugal vita management left us uncertain about cooler pumps we were the conditions for training, and the politi­ using were turning the oil cal infighting massively diverted time and to unpumpable froth as the energy. In addition, we had the flood of gas bubbled out. Hugh suspensions last summer. Still, by the end thought the higher vis­ of summer I took the cooler box and a disk cosity at low temperature with the program on it to Riverside. and the pump impeller Our first use was immediate! We had shape was the problem. been using a timer to control the flow of Turned out he was right. In LN2 into a cooldown dewar for whole­ a later test we found out body patients. This required constant fid­ that the little cooler pumps dling with the on/off time by Hugh to keep didn't do much better with on the cooling curve, and we had a patient cold oil even if we kept being cooled. Hugh had me adapt the hard­ the C02 out of the oil. ware interface and program to control the When you don't have LN2 valve. We got it to work almost im­ any good ideas, visit a mediately, and the remaining temperature junkyard! I did, and found descent for that patient was under com­ a very nice little gear puter control. pump for about five per­ Before we had a chance to test the cent of what it would have cooler system, the last suspension of the cost new. However, silicon summer came along. When the perfusion oil is only "oil" in name - was complete, we filled the unit up with it does not lubricate worth dry ice and tried it- with full-time obser­ a hoot. The first time we vation to be sure we could take over by tried pumping silicon oil hand if anything failed. It didn't work very with it, the oil instantly long. We had ice clogging a drain pipe be­ turned black as the gear cause a screen had been omitted, and, as pump started to grind itself the temperature went down, the pump flow to pieces. I took it back The world's first automated neuropatient rate went to near zero. The last part of that home, and made some Phase II cooling system.

Cryonics • January 1993 • 7 ing ice ball was 3/4 inch wide, and much dup, materials incompatibility (you should out to do. Now, unless Steve Bridge can of the volume looked crushed like snow. see what silicon oil does to silastic reverse the "no animals" restriction im­ On the next test we tried a bag of Alcor's tubing!), odd computer interface problems, posed on Alcor as a condition for zoning, SHP-1 perfusate with 30 percent glycerol. surge suppression, and the usual obscure Alcor will be hard put to provide I was impressed by the dramatic damage problems with software. We are likely to cryobiological researchers with some reduction cryoprotectives provide. Even at scrap the original design entirely and go to sample brains frozen at different rates. -50 degrees the bag of perfusate was not a a chest version. One problem is that I no Next time (if I can get it to fit), I hard solid, but would "give" like putty longer have the free time to build another might take a hard-look at our efforts to when squeezed. box. guess how good a job we need to do for I have only hit the high spots in this It has been nine months now, and various future technologies to revive us. report. In the process we learned a great while the project has turned out to be use­ deal about heat-transfer problems, ice buil- ful, we never did get to what we started

The Real- World Interface

Promoting the Unproven

Charles Platt

Is cryonics a business? I used to im­ receive nothing in exchange for their dues made some fairly pointed comments. One agine that it was, when I first signed up but a monthly magazine, an occasional an­ of them referred to "the recruitment of with Alcor. I figured that substantial mem­ nouncement, and a promise: that if they ever more members with promotions and bership dues of nearly $300 a year, plus are pronounced legally dead, their remains contests and slick literature in a never en­ the intermittent payouts from members' will be treated in a rather unusual way. ding quest to stay one step ahead of a life insurance, should be more than enough Even if this promise holds good, Ponzi-style day of reckoning." to cover the costs of the operation. there's still no guarantee that the treatment Let me focus on the first part of Then I discovered how few suspen­ will actually work. It may enable life to be Mike's statement, in which he is reacting sion members there are. I also began to un­ restored at an indefinite time in the future, against attempts to "sell" cryonics. Pre­ derstand the real costs of maintaining a assuming various forms of advanced tech­ sumably, he feels uneasy about promoting fairly elaborate emergency medical serv­ nology are developed. But the actual chan­ a service while we cannot prove that it ice. I learned that a lot of Alcor's help is ces of this dream coming true are a matter works. So here we go again, grappling supplied on a volunteer basis, and - de­ of debate. with the ambiguous status of cryonics. To spite drastic economy measures - Alcor Cryonicists have good reason to what extent is it a legitimate business? To has depended on donations to make up a believe that the picture looks a lot brighter what extent do we have a real service? persistent shortfall between income and than this. But they can't actually prove it, And to what extent is it right to go out of expenditure. and consequently, everything rests on our way to win people's trust, instead of Gradually, I realized that Alcor is an trust. passively waiting for them to come to us? odd mixture: a nonprofit corporation that This being so, to what extent is it looks like a business from the outside but right to promote cryonics? To what extent A year ago, when I thought of Alcor seems more like a charitable foundation on should we feel comfortable about influenc­ in simpler terms, I started wondering how the inside. ing public opinion in favor of our cause, to promote it. My motive was purely per­ This ambiguous status raises some while we have at least some doubt about sonal: I want Alcor to save my life, and I problems. For a start, outsiders who think its functionality ourselves? assume it will be better able to do this if it of Alcor as a business naturally assume is better funded and has more members. that it is selling a service or product. And When Mike Darwin resigned from So, what could I do to achieve my yet, this isn't true. Members of Alcor Alcor last November (see Up Front), he goal? I focused on the gap between the

8 • Cryonics • January 1993 cryonics mindset and public attitudes in general. (This is the same topic which I am now addressing in these columns.) I saw the general public perceiving cryonics as being ghoulish and morbid. How could this misconception be corrected? How Many Are We? Well, when a normal business wants to make its product seem more valuable Alcor has 349 Suspension Members, 463 Assot;iate Members and attractive, it uses standard public-rela­ (includes 130 people in the process of becoming Suspension tions techniques. For instance, it may offer Members), and 25 members in suspension. These numbers are one of its products as a prize in a competi­ broken down by country below. tion. So - why not? Why not offer a whole-body suspension as a valuable prize? Through my work as a science-fiction writer, I knew Keith Ferrell, the editor of Omni magazine. Keith had already bought a one-page article from me endorsing cryonics, and Omni was in the habit of running contests. Omni also had a highly effective public-relations department. Sup­ pose the magazine asked its readers to write 500-word essays titled something like, "What I would like to see and do in the twenty-second century." Omni could publish a selection of the essays (which would fill pages of the magazine at zero l cost), and the person who wrote the win­ ning essay would have a chance- one Country Members Applicants Subscribers day- to wake up in the future that (s)he had tried to imagine. Argentina 0 1 0 The benefits were potentially great, Australia 13 1 4 all around. People who entered the contest Austria 1 0 1 would obviously be interested in cryonics. Canada 10 3 27 Alcor could obtain their names and addres­ ses and send them promotional literature. Denmark 0 0 1 Meanwhile, the contest would be getting Estonia 0 0 1 exposure on radio and TV, because noth­ Finland 0 0 1 ing like it had ever been done before. It France 0 0 4 would boost the sales of Omni, and it Germany 1 0 1 would spread the word about Alcor. Holland I saw two very important additional 0 1 0 advantages. For the first time, Alcor would Italy 0 2 2 be controlling the media, instead of pas­ Japan 2 1 0 sively submitting to journalists and hoping Lichtenstein 0 0 1 they would be sympathetic. Also, so long Lithuania 0 0 2 as the contest winner remained alive, Mexico 0 0 1 Alcor would not have to pay for the prize! Norway 0 0 1 In fact, if the winner was in reasonably good health, the cost of the future suspen­ Russia 0 0 1 sion should be coverable via a life-insur­ Spain 6 2 0 ance policy. The prize would genuinely be Sri Lanka 0 0 1 worth $120,000 (an important fact in Sweden 0 0 2 promotion), but it would not necessarily Turkey 0 0 2 cost that much. U.K. 13 I proposed my idea to the Alcor board 5 8 of directors. They approved it. I pitched it U.S.A. 303 113 265 to Keith Ferrell. He loved it. Many months passed, because Keith always had something a bit more pressing to do than grapple with the legalities of

Cryonics • January 1993 • 9 this bizarre idea. But now, it seems that the Yes, of course - and I'm sure that I still believe that the best way to contest is finally turning into a reality. executives in tobacco companies feel ex­ strengthen Alcor is to spread the message Early in January 1993, so far as I know, it actly the same way about their product! as actively as possible in the hope of will be announced. (I am writing this Cryonics is obviously more ethical to recruiting new members. If this is careful­ column at the beginning of December promote than tobacco. Amortized over a ly done, it can work like a system of posi­ 1992.) lifetime, it probably costs less; and one tive feedback, in which the new members thing we can say for sure is that it has no provide money which helps to improve the The question remains: was this an chance of killing anyone, since the people service, and the improved service can then ethical thing to do? who submit to it are already dead (in con­ be promoted to attract new members. Keith asked me to write an introduc­ ventional terms). I'm glad that Mike Darwin has voiced tion to the contest, telling people the facts I feel uncomfortably aware, though, his criticisms, because any cryonics or­ about cryonics. I did so, as honestly as I that this contest is the first step along a ganization needs them as an antidote to could. I warned people (for example) that path that ultimately leads to overinflated wishful thinking. no mammal has ever been wholly frozen claims, misleading packaging, legal dis­ At the same time, I think my view of and resuscitated. I made no claim, explicit claimers in small print, and downright lies. positive feedback is slightly more realistic, or implicit, that cryonics will definitely The emphasis can so easily shift toward right now, than Mike's pessimistic assess­ work. selling the service instead of improving it. ment. I am not formally affiliated with And yet, obviously, the purpose of the Money is so easily diverted away from re­ Alcor in any way (except as a suspension contest is to make cryonics look better to search, toward advertising and promotion. member), but I have met and talked to the general public. After all, the whole This, I think, is what Mike Darwin is everyone who works there, and I have con­ idea of public relations is to manipulate concerned about in his quote above. Fair siderable faith in them. So long as Alcor people's perceptions. enough; I share his concern. We have to be remains honest about its real capabilities, I From the cryonic viewpoint, people's vigilant and self-critical as cryonicists, be­ have no regrets about promoting it as often perceptions need to be revised. Cryonics cause there is no easy way for anyone - and as actively as I can. has received some bad press, over the including us - to test our claims. years. It's about time we had a chance to Personally, even though I understand get our side of things into print. more about cryonics than I did a year ago,

A New Era Begins

Carlos Mondragon

Alcor will soon have a new ad­ stitutional memory," I've written this brief bilities were growing by the day: legal ministration. I will continue to do every­ history of my tenure as chief executive and fees, greater numbers of bureaucrats taking thing in my power as a suspension member the manner by which I believe future presi­ an interest in us, sensationalistically nega­ and as a director to promote the interests dents should be evaluated. tive press (no longer true). of Alcor's suspension patients. I hope you In dealing with the situation, my first will do the same. The last Five Years act was one of prioritization of objectives We are fortunate that this transition is and maximization of resources: I assumed not taking place in the midst of an external So now here are some highlights of command. The president, Michael Darwin, attack, as was the case the last time Alcor what I consider to be some of my most im­ had become non-functional. was changed presidents. Over the past five portant decisions and policies, and the then vice-president, but he was doing years, we've successfully protected our results for Alcor. something much more immediately impor­ patients from danger, established our My tenure as Alcor's CEO began tant and something which he was best member's right to choose cryonic suspen­ when the organization was under attack. qualified to do. I looked at the ninety­ sion, and upheld the legality of cryonics. And one of our patient's lives- Dora seven names on the suspension member­ Simultaneously we've grown from 97 Kent - was at stake. Our continued exis­ ship list. Then I called Jerry and told him suspension members to 349; and assets tence was not a certainty. Our resources that unless he objected or had a better idea, grew from $223K to over $2 million. And consisted of some very dedicated people I would take over. most of the media attention we get no and very little money (in the grand scheme Jerry readily agreed and so I called longer treats us like "kooks." of things, this is still true now). Our most Mike and all the other directors in se­ In the hope that some of my ex­ important obligation was to our patients in quence. There was no objection. At the perience will survive within Alcor's "in- suspension (also still true). And our lia- next monthly meeting of the board

10 • Cryonics • January 1993 (February, 1988) Mike resigned, Jerry grow, and to use the media to that end, has of their lawyer (Barrett Mcinerny) of using nominated me, and I was elected without at times been a factor in other decisions a fictitious name was acceptable to Alcor. dissent. I've made (such as the Donaldson litiga­ I assured them that we would make no use My first action items as CEO were tion - more on that later). Given the of Dick's name. Dick decided to go ahead, dictated by my priorities as a director (sur­ results, I think I've followed the right but he remained somewhat disturbed. Un­ vival of patients, ability to suspend mem­ policy right from the start in this area. fortunately, this incident set a tone, at least bers, therefore survival of Alcor) in the Its doubtful that all of the consequen­ in the minds of Jenna and Mr. Mcinerney, context of the circumstances. We had to ces of the Dora Kent suspension could be which eventually ted to disastrous conse­ have money freed up to pay lawyers (no counted by one person. The first which quences when Dick's health began its telling how much this would eventually comes to my mind is our litigation with the downward spiral toward deanimation. come to), so the first thing I did just as the State of California Health Department. We'll never know all of the machina­ board meeting ended was to tell two of Al­ (Their attempt to administratively outlaw tions which led to Dick's signing of a cor's three employees that we could not af­ cryonics was not a result of Dora Kent, but second will and trust in his last hours, ford to pay them any longer. I told Hugh the manner by which they handled us was.) documents which gave part of his money Hixon that we would only have limited My initial attempts to reach a negotiated to relatives. Alcor could not be party to the amounts to pay him for work on an hourly settlement with the State were un­ ensuing litigation over his estate. Saul basis as he was needed and I told Art ceremoniously rebuked. (For a full account Kent as a fourth successor trustee of the McCombs (who had been getting paid on a of the specifics of this case, see my article original estate plan initiated the litigation piece-work basis) that he was back to in the November 1990 Cryonics.) and single-handedly managed it until it being a volunteer. Mike was retained on Then Dick Jones, twenty years a cry­ came time to settle. full salary because I considered him essen­ onicist, ten years an Alcor member, and by Cryonics is a new endeavor. I've al­ tial and he had no other means of support­ then terminally ill, became involved. Since ways recognized that mistakes are in­ ing himself. our attorneys told us we would have a bet­ evitable, and if not fatal they are useful as Looking back at the 1988 financial ter chance of success with a terminally ill lessons. None of us had any experience statements, it is impressive to note just member as a plaintiff, and since until this with estate litigation. We do now. I be­ how little room for error we had. As things matter could be resolved we could not ex­ came active on behalf of Alcor as a turned out, donations for legal bills rolled pect to extricate any of our suspension beneficiary when it came time to end the in at a much greater rate than I had hoped members from any California Hospital, Jones Estate litigation. I hired two attor­ for. And the legal victories were achieved Dick was motivated to participate. neys to represent us at an hourly rate less with the help of members such as Keith I feel wonder at the reach which even than half of what all the other lawyers on Henson, Steve Harris, Art McCombs, and the smallest mistakes can have when the both sides of the case were getting. When others who found ways to use the system intricacies of interpersonal relationships it was clear that Saul wasn't going to win, to make our adversaries live up to the law. are involved. In the first year and a half of we accepted the family beneficiaries' in­ In my estimation, the second most im­ my presidency, I was employed full time vitation to a settlement conference. I don't portant decision I made in those early days at a factoring company (private bank) and think our lawyers could have done any bet­ was to reverse Mike's long standing policy so I was limited to the evening hours and ter in salvaging the situation. The settle­ of minimizing media exposure. I had noted time stolen from my employer to do Alcor ment agreement was, at that point, the best that even the most negative press was get­ business. Saul Kent had been actively in­ we could hope for. ting us inquiries from "instant cryoni­ terfacing with our attorneys on the matters I do not mean to imply that Saul Kent cists." These were people who didn't need consequent to the Dora Kent suspension, did not have my full support as he was to be convinced, they just needed to know and so he also took an active role in the handling the estate litigation. He did. And where to find us. I believed then, as I do Health Department issue. Saul's energy he had the support of everyone on the now, that more members meant more and enthusiasm are boundless and he had board of directors, except Mike Darwin resources with which to achieve our in­ been a most valuable asset. I made what (Mike predicts every disaster conceivable, stitutional goals. Further, I was sure (based seemed at the time to be a minor error in so he can't help occasionally being right). on the brief encounter I had with the press not realizing that Saul's buoyancy The point here is that this was our most on the day I was arrested by coroner's wouldn't be well received in all cases. costly mistake, and I have acknowledged it deputies) that I could have a positive im­ It was Saul who approached Dick and learned from it. pact on the tone of the reporting about Jones with the idea of being the plaintiff in cryonics and Alcor. the Health Dept. suit. Predictably, Saul Finances The quantity of reporting on Alcor presented a glorious picture of victory and since my presidency began (based on a the fantastic press attention we would Once the Jones estate litigation was visual once over of our files of clippings receive. Dick knew the importance of settled, Alcor began receiving amounts and videotapes) is about fifteen times more proceeding, but was deeply troubled about previously unheard of in the cryonics than everything accumulated in prior the possibility of media attention (he was "business." Three months before the settle­ years. And subjectively, I think the content ill with AIDS and he had never publicly ment, I presented the board of directors is closer to being fair. dealt with his personal life). Dick's part­ with an eight year financial plan. The plan According to Charles Platt's article in ner, Jenna McMahon, was aghast. made very conservative assumptions in all the August 1992 issue of Cryonics (page I received a frantic phone call at work respects. It was designed to leave Alcor 14), the media is by far the largest source from Dick and Jenna. It took me half an with an endowment large enough to gener­ by which new members have heard of hour to convince them that we didn't have ate investment income equal to its internal­ Alcor. I admit that my desire to have Alcor to go for publicity and that the suggestion ly projected increases in spending as its

Cryonics • January 1993 • 11 income from the estate dwindled, while as­ for patient care for accounting consisten­ Our property was returned. suming zero membership growth. cy). Because some of Alcor's patients had And just a year ago, the California The fly in the ointment was that the inadequate or non-existent funding, five Medical Board dropped its investigation of actual income to the estate turned out to be years ago the Patient Care Fund covered Steve Harris. This case was critical to radically lower than what everyone (in­ only 73% of our currently required mini­ Alcor (and cryonics generally). If Steve cluding Dick and Jenna) expected. When mums. Now, the Patient Care Trust Fund had been injured in any way as a result of this happened, I informed the board of covers 103% of minimum funding for his association with us, it would have been directors in March of 1990 that we had long-term care. a long time before-we could expect any two choices: make immediate and radical Another financial consequence of physician to come near us again. We spent cutbacks in order to preserve our income Dora Kent was a substantial loss of money over $45K on this matter. Along the way from the estate as capital, or, adopt a ris­ to fraud. Early in 1988, we were all still we also got a superior court ruling that kier plan that would rely on a continuation very understandably paranoid about poss­ propounded a pre-mortem right to cryonic of our recent growth rate. The board opted ible state action against us. (We had been suspension. That ruling was helpful in the for the latter, with no dissent. raided twice, accused of murder and grand Health Dept. case, and every other subse­ The new plan was also less ambitious theft, and we had been told that the quent legal brief we've presented. in its scope: it went out only five years. It Cryonics Society of New York had been I was criticized at the time for the did provide for an endowment fund. As of put out of business by $1,000/day Health very aggressive attitude I took on that last April1991, this plan was on track. At that Department fines.) Everyone wanted to get case. I was adamant about it because I point, a majority of directors became a substantial amount of money abroad. believe that loyalty on that level is in the anxious about the perceived riskiness of There's no way to sugar coat it: we best long-term self interest of Alcor. The the plan. got took. The "banker" we used turned out hardest thing we must achieve is the On April 23, 1991 we held a finan­ to be a fraud. Another mistake to learn long-term survival of Alcor with its pur­ cial/budgetary planning session. In atten­ from. A simple enough lesson: an office poses (read that: patients) intact. That can dance were board members, the Alcor suite in Newport Beach, an impressive only be done if we stand up for our own staff, and Saul Kent and Courtney Smith. suit, and the best recommendations don't (ourselves). Only then can we expect­ Once again, a plan of my design was ac­ guarantee integrity. individually or as an organization - to be cepted. This time however, everyone had stood up for. input and the plan was unfolded, step by More litigation And this leads to one last episode in step, with everyone having an apparently our litigation saga: The Thomas Don­ clear understanding of its consequences. There were four other legal battles aldson case. Again, there was substantial The biggest difference in the new plan consequent to Dora Kent. Each of them criticism of my aggressive advocacy and was that it provided for a very substantial yielded a vindication for Alcor and support of that lawsuit (the cost was too reserve ($400K) to be held as capital in the long-term positive results for cryonics much, we couldn't possibly win, we would Endowment Fund. To accommodate this, generally. antagonize the medical community, etc.). the staff agreed to a 25% cut in salary (ex­ With Dave Pizer's financial backing, The board was not close to being united on cepting Mike Perry, who is paid out of the those of us arrested in the first coroner's this issue. Then at a board meeting, Art Patient Care Trust Fund, and Ralph raid sued the county and collected a $90K McCombs gave a short impassioned Whelan, who had just been hired with a settlement. There was no monetary impact speech, and those he didn't convince, at directed donation). The staff was reduced for Alcor, but this victory boosted morale least quietly acquiesced. The gist of what by one (Art McCombs), and other less and enhanced our reputation in county of­ he said was that as long as it was financial­ consequential cuts were made. Continuing ficialdom. ly feasible to do so without endangering growth was assumed, and a diminishing In a battle with the District Attorney, the organization, we had an obligation to operating deficit was predicted through we went all the way to the State Supreme try. The Dora Kent case had established 1994, at which time our (non-endowment) Court and affirmed our Fifth Amendment our reputation for being the cryonicists reserves and the operating shortfall would rights (and everyone else's as well). The who fought for their own, and that is both be down to zero. cost to Alcor was only $2k. That's because something we will never be through prov­ As of now, we are well ahead of pro­ Chris Ashworth put me in contact with the ing. I took a raise-your-hand poll of the jections. The Endowment capital is com­ dean of the California Trial Lawyers As­ members present at the meeting. Two pletely intact. (An audit of the Endowment sociation, and I convinced him that it was members and one director still weren't by a member who is also a CPA has in his organization's best interests to take convinced. We went ahead anyway. verified this.) The operating accounts have the case pro bono. Three of our suspension There was no money in our operating been in surplus territory for several team members were saved from having to plan for the Donaldson case. To this day, months, and while this may not hold up testify before the grand jury about the some of my critics say that that litigation consistently, we are ahead of schedule. suspension. was a mistake. After all, we lost and we These details aside, the objective We didn't have to go to court to win sure could use the money we spent. But I reality is in the progression of our finan­ against UCLA's false charges of stolen don't see it that way. We are still getting cial statements. I don't think I need to property. Instead, we persevered ad­ dividends on that money. Alcor got mil­ comment further, just have a look at them. ministratively and after much correspon­ lions of dollars worth of free publicity. In five years, our assets have grown from dence from Jerry Leaf and myself (as well That publicity brought new members as $223K to over $2 million. Net worth has as numerous phone calls from Keith Hen­ well as new subscribers, and the greater grown from $219K to over $1.6 million son and some supportive detective work level of awareness it brought about will (excluding the recently established reserve provided by Steve Harris) they relented. continue to pay off for years. Thomas him-

12 • Cryonics • January 1993 self has told me he had little hope of win­ tions. I don't freeze up. I make decisions style at Alcor that I've employed or ob­ ning, but he knew that someone had to be fast and well. But this is something that served at other places. Our organization is the first to try. His courage in subjecting every chief executive had better be able to unique. Our purpose is unique. Our people himself to the whole thing will not be for­ do. I remember one day when Jerry Leaf are unique. In most organizations, em­ gotten. And because the Appellate Court's introduced me to a visitor as "our fearless ployees are primarily motivated by the decision gave some way, the next time the leader"; to which Mike Darwin muttered, need to earn a living. In some, a degree of legal issues will be substantially narrower "That much is true." What Mike and others commitment to the corporate mission is (plus which, they did reaffirm the right to have perhaps failed to fully understand is needed. That degFee of commitment is post-mortem cryonic suspension). The that courage in every corner of one's greatest in the non-profit world and must added financial burden we took on in the character is the first requirement of a be higher in inverse proportion to the Donaldson case was a small risk relative to leader. resources of the institution and in direct the added strength it gave Alcor. I can't imagine courage with a fun­ proportion to the radicalism of its cause. Now, there is only one bit of litigation damentally pessimistic psychological bias The equation at Alcor is as extreme as it pending -our suit to recover our fees in (though I concede it could be possible). gets. the Health Dept. case. And it isn't costing Some time ago, I had a boss who never The problem is made even more inter­ us any money. A not insignificant side used the word "problem." Instead, he esting by the fact that the very nature of benefit to Alcor of all that litigation has would always substitute the word "oppor­ our cause attracts persons who are ex­ been my own practical legal education and tunity." Every single time. We never once tremists in their individualism, their store of experience. When it came time to had a problem in our department; we had self-interest, their egos, and quite often argue the case of our tax-exempt status lots of opportunities. That man's meth­ their opinions. Add to that the fact that (property only) before the State Board of odology may have been hokey, but his nearly all are first class intellectuals. Equalization, I was able to write the brief philosophy was right, and as a matter of If all of this weren't enough, when I and present a professionally organized fact, he got good results. started, Alcor's staff- none of whom I case. (They started out thinking I was a If you aren't sure that Alcor faces had hired, and two of whom were directors lawyer until they got to the page that listed probable future circumstances that will re­ of the corporation- were already intense­ my salary.) We still don't have a decision quire leadership of this kind, consider the ly hostile to one another. Hugh Hixon and from them. I took the risk of not hiring an decisions that had to be made the night of Mike Darwin seemed to communicate only attorney by looking at the costs versus Jerry Leaf's suspension. Everyone in­ by loudly arguing, Mike and Arthur costs. The property taxes we will have to volved offered input. The first question McCombs flat out hated each other, and pay if we lose are in the low five figures, was whether or not to get our lawyers to Hugh and Arthur got around each other but our legal fees would have been too. wake up Judge Munoz. The risk was a like two tomcats in the same house (care­ Steve Harris and Dave Pizer provided ex­ clear escalation of hostility with the medi­ fully, but seldom in all-out battle). Only cellent help with this one. cal examiner who had already agreed to Mike Perry seemed to get along with come out in eight hours, and who could everyone, though he wasn't especially well "Running Alcor" just as easily make it longer, find another treated. Jerry Leaf was helpful in that his judge, insist on an autopsy, drag us mere presence inspired people to behave These are the most major of the through months of litigation, etc. The only -nobody wanted to look foolish in his policy level decisions I have made, on my possible benefit: about eight hours' less is­ eyes. Jerry was not helpful in that he often own, or with the board, and a flavor of the chemia for Jerry. I took the chance be­ egged on Arthur against Mike Darwin. way I went about implementation. Some cause everything inside me said "things Oddly, I did not feel overwhelmed by all things didn't work out, others did. In every will work out" because "/' ll see to it they this. For the past year, at least, interaction case, I think I learned something, and in work out." Munoz called in an order. We among the staff has been professional and every case I am comfortable with the could take Jerry away right away, but the cordial. thought processes that led to the decision. coroner's deputy was on the phone. I com­ I believed when I started, as I do now, On balance, the results are in our favor. promised: we would wait another 45 that our staff is comprised of motivated, The other half of the executive equa­ minutes, they would come do their visual intelligent, honest, inventive, and hard tion is what's known as management style. examination and that would be the end of working people. All of them started as It is fruitless to argue the subject because it. I balanced the extra hour of ischemia (at volunteers. Within their areas, they are all it is one of subjective biases. One can only that point four hours so far) against the positively and rationally self-directed. My reach objectivity at the level of the results specter of protracted litigation and the pos­ job has been to foster a collegiate atmos­ reached. sibility of Munoz getting ultimately phere where each could do his or her best. Much has been written or said about reversed and Alcor facing a court order to I have functioned mostly as an arbiter on a my being a "crisis manager." I appreciate hand over a patient for autopsy. day-to-day basis. the intentions of those of my supporters I am not so much of an optimist that I Various people have told me I should who have found virtue in this. But I don't think that from now on all of our members have imposed a more structured environ­ like it. There is a negative connotation to will deanimate in an accommodating ment. I don't agree. When one has a group the term that doesn't apply. Among my hospice program. of people willing to take on the long hours critics, the most lucid on this issue has What is harder to illustrate, is that the of hard, often tedious, often challenging, been Mike Darwin. It is one area in which much less important, day-to-day, mundane occasionally interesting, and seldom excit­ Mike and I have a basic philosophical dif­ and common non-crisis decisions have to ing work that we do, one does not ask ference. be made with similar thought processes. them to keep regular hours, dress up to a Yes, I do very well in crisis situa- I do not use the same management code, and suffer the constant ilillterference

Cryonics • January 1993 • 13 of a manager that knows less about what Not like the glamorous and dramatic board of directors (in line with any set of they are doing than they do. I have been TBW's of the mid-'80s. Jerry, Hugh and organizational priorities or mission) is the careful not to stifle or dampen the drive, Mike did accomplish patient care improve­ selection and ongoing evaluation of the creativity, enthusiasm, initiative, and com­ ments such as the new big-foot dewar corporate officers. The directors' second mitment of people who have shown their storage system for whole body patients. priority is the setting of organizational willingness to put their lives on hold and Mike continued to improve transport policies, a responsibility shared with the on the line for cryonics. procedures. And work has begun on an chief executive. A fair performance ap­ When there is a disagreement on how automated patient cooling system praisal is based onl:he job description in­ to proceed with a given project, I often (developed by Keith Henson, Hugh Hixon volved, the employee's general level of don't understand the technical details of and Scott Herman). Funds are still avail­ competence, and his/her level of success in the biological or silicon based system able for research on a moderate scale, and reaching specific pre-arranged goals. The ~· being debated. So I ask enough questions I do hope that the board of directors will position of chief executive is no exception to get something of a feel for what it's make grants to worthy applicants. and should be evaluated in this way- ex­ ll about and what is at stake, then I decide. The most important concern for living cept that his or her pre-arranged goals are The decision is based on the strength of suspension members is Alcor's ability to those of the organization as a whole and the convictions involved, the working suspend us. In my opinion, Alcor's emer­ are not specific. relationships, whose area of responsibility gency response and suspension capability Alcor's Bylaws state the primary ob­ is involved, and because I am human, my is better now than it has ever been, and jectives and purposes of the organization unconscious biases. still the best in the world. When Mike Dar­ as: The degree to which my style has win was Transport Team Leader and Jerry worked is evidenced by the productivity of Leaf was Suspension Team Leader, they a) to promote, foster, and conduct the staff, the quality of their performance both got total support from me. In every basic and applied research in all areas of and their unflagging dedication. They instance, if Mike suggested that money be the life extension sciences including, but deserve all the credit for that. All I do is spent on something to improve suspension not limited to, cryonics, cryobiology, offer all the support, encouragement, and capability (and there were many), I found gerontology, molecular engineering, and loyalty I have in me. a way for us to afford it. Since Jerry's sus­ cell repair technology; pension, we have made training a top Two Other Important Areas priority, and established working relation­ b) to engage in the application of ships with two contract surgeons, one of whole body cryonic suspension, neuro­ Of major concern to many Alcor whom has displayed a strong interest and preservation, and other post-mortem and members is the relative paucity of research caring about the work. When Mike biopreservation techniques and to provide done at Alcor over the past few years. Pre­ resigned last year, the training efforts in­ these services to the general public; vious portions of this article describe tensified, spearheaded by Tanya Jones and where our resources were being directed. Keith Henson. c) to promote, encourage, further and No amount of research we could have done Alcor now has 21 Certified Transport carry out research to develop techniques would be of any benefit to our patients if Technicians, that's one for every sixteen for short-term and long-term fully revers­ our legal fight for survival had been lost. suspension members (15 have experienced ible arrest of metabolism in man and other That notwithstanding, money was only a at least one suspension, and 7 have helped animals, i.e., the development of sus­ secondary impediment to research. (The at least five suspensions). And those num­ pended animation; TBW (Total Body Washout) series done in bers do not include people such as Hugh the mid-'80s cost less than $25k). Hixon (25 suspensions), Keith Henson (10 d) to promote, encourage, further and One of my first acts as president was suspensions), and myself (20 suspensions) conduct research to allow for repair, to write a research fund policy which the - people who have a tremendous store of recovery, and rehabilitation of humans board passed four years ago. A fund was cryonic suspension experience and skill. placed in cryonic suspension, neuro­ established with a simple procedure for Nor does that number include the profes­ suspension, or other biopreservation tech­ getting a grant - internally or outside of sional contract surgeons and perfusionists niques; Alcor. Un~il August of 1992, no grant ap­ available to us. Three more transport techs plications were received. On those few oc­ are being trained right now. But until we e) to act as a bank or storage facility casions when Mike Darwin (who was have perfected suspended animation, there under the California Uniform Anatomical director of research until December, 1991) will always be room for improvements. If Gift Act (section 7153.5(a) of the Califor­ had projects, he got my encouragement the present rate of growth in the number of nia Health and Safety Code) for tissues, and support. At those rare times when he suspensions continues, it won't be long organs, and all other human remains as asked for money, he got it. before Alcor can afford medical profes­ may be required to further the purposes of For the immediate future, our ability sionals in almost every position on the (a) through (e) above; to use animals in research is constrained suspension team. With adroit financial by a recent zoning restriction which dis­ maneuvering, economies of scale will f) to engage in the dissemination and criminately prohibits Alcor from doing so. make that transition possible. administration of techniques and informa­ (Three years ago we began a search for tion for extending human life span, health new quarters. Hopefully, Alcor will soon Evaluating the Chief and quality of life; move to a more benign environment.) Executive In reality, there has been research and g) to act as a trustee, conservator, development at Alcor in the past few years. The primary task of any corporate guardian, executor, power of attorney or

14 • Cryonics • January 1993 medical surrogate as may be required to about Alcor's future. It is my most impor­ sion organizations in the world, supported further the purposes above; tant task to make sure that future directors by less than 600 signed-up members. For share my commitment and priorities and at least ten years, Alcor has maintained the h) to sponsor seminars, exhibits, values. The selection of a chief executive superior technological capability (this is of workshops, displays and other activities to for Alcor and its directors must never be course open to debate). But technology is educate the general public about the life done on the basis of popularity. And even not all that has differentiated Alcor from extension sciences in general and cryonics qualifications are only the second con­ its "competition." Many of us decided on in particular; sideration. Common values come first. Let Alcor because we were impressed by the me explain: When I vote for a new direc­ argument that our fate was not in the hands i) to provide financial support, re­ tor, I'm choosing someone whom I will of a majority of members, most of them search facilities, equipment and supplies have to trust with my life if I end up in a unable to keep fully informed on the issues required to carry out all of the above ob­ dewar. And if I hope to ever get out of that confronting cryonics year by year. Instead, jectives. dewar, that director will have had to have members of Alcor have been empowered voted for new directors also trusted and as consumers: our sign-up fee has always This then is the context within which committed to our common self-interest, been the lowest, thus leaving animate I think Alcor's chief executive should be above all else. Those directors also need to members no financial disincentive to evaluated. Has the chief executive's ac­ know and trust the officers they elect. switch to a better organization if they find tions and management furthered the pur­ I have urged the board to formalize a one. And those members who have made poses of the organization? How much periodic review of the chief executive's the effort to get involved naturally con­ progress has been made? Is the degree of performance and that of the other officers. tribute their ideas as well as their labor. By progress achieved acceptable given the en­ I urged that the criteria used be essentially contrast, democracy disempowers in­ vironment and resources available? To the that which I described above. dividuals who are misled by the illusion extent that the chief executive has Further, I recommend that the board that they have a degree of power. And at prioritized the organizational purposes and consider ways to involve activist members Alcor's historical growth rate, at any given objectives, was that prioritization correct? in the board selection process which will time, those persons signed up for less than Has the chief executive made the best not result in the further politicalization of 2. 7 years constitute a majority. use of the organization's resources in order Alcor (a process unfortunately already For some months now, there has been to further its purposes? I.e.: Are the begun). We can provide for review and a push to have the board of directors employees who report to the chief execu­ input without turning over our fate to the modify the bylaws in order to allow some tive successful in their jobs? To what ex­ vagaries of a democratic popularity con­ form of membership participation in the tent has the chief executive provided test. selection of directors. This idea was incor­ financial planning, and have those plans porated into the campaign to replace me as been reasonable? What is the financial What's Next president. This year there will be a pres­ state of the organization? What is the over­ sure on the board of directors to allow all quality of the organization's products Although there is now no immediate regional elected representatives on the and programs? Has the chief executive threat to the organization or our patients, board, and to remove suspension patients balanced risks and opportunities in a man­ we are still so small as to hardly register and the Patient Care Trust Fund from the ner appropriate to the organizational on the tracking systems of governments or control of the directors. Hopefully, Alcor's priorities? other large potential adversaries. So, in new directors will tell us sooner rather These are the premises which I held spite of the many battles we have won in than later where they will stand on these when I became a director and officer of the last five years, we are not yet part of issues. By comparison, the question of Alcor in April 1987 and when I became the "mainstream." It remains important for who sits in the president's office is rela­ CEO in January of 1988. These are the Alcor' s leadership to be agile, quick­ tively unimportant. questions I've asked and the standards by witted, and vigilant. (This was easy for me The campaigning which the board of which I have evaluated myself whenever because I've never been a mainstream per­ directors has experienced so far is just the I've considered the matter. son.) beginning. Perhaps when organizations All of the questions I posed above The most immediate dangers to Alcor grow beyond a certain size, this sort of boil down to one word: Results. What is which I can now foresee are internal. For thing is inevitable. But it is sad to see so the "bottom line?" Ultimately, any execu­ twenty years, Alcor operated under a "con­ much of our energy and resources con­ tive's performance must be evaluated by stitution" comprised of our Articles of In­ sumed by such struggles. Those of us who that standard: the more a job is managerial corporation, By-laws, and accumulated abhor politics also just aren't any good at and the less it is technical, the more results precedents set by the board of directors. it, and we tend to have little patience for become the only objective measure avail­ This constitution (which I believe has sub­ uncommitted platitudes where our lives are able. stantially contributed to our success and is at stake. That means that the greatest pres­ In the final analysis, my view as a critical to our long-term survival) is being sure on Alcor's new directors will come director is that the corporation has been challenged. To some extent it has already from those who want to dismantle our ex­ growing, is financially stronger that it has been compromised. The present change in isting constitution. Let's hope they have ever been, and is better able to protect its management and changes on the board of the strength to ignore that pressure. patients and provide its members with con­ directors were not a result of the sort of stantly improved cryonic suspensions. review I've advocated here, but rather a I have friends in suspension counting result of political action. on me as a director to be very careful There are three active cryonic suspen-

Cryonics • January 1993 • 15 From President-Elect Stephen Bridge,

To the Alcor Membership

The history of cryonics is replete with cryonics group, but we did begin many But in January, 1988, the suspension bumps and bruises, failures and tragedies, paths that have led to current Alcor suc­ of Dora Kent spurred the Riverside Coro­ along with more than a few startling tri­ cesses. We wrote a 24-page booklet that, ner to attack Alcor, resulting in two raids umphs. The nearly twenty-one years of the over the years, has turned into Cryonics­ on our facility, the detention of several Alcor Life Extension Foundation ar~ sim­ Reaching for Tomorrow; we became the Alcor personnel, and a flurry of legal ac­ ilarly uneven. Alcor was started in early first group to publicly advocate neurosus­ tions. On the brink of disaster, Alcor made 1972 because of doubts and differences pension as a suspension option; I (together Treasurer Carlos Mondragon its new that Fred and Linda Chamberlain had with with the ideas of several attorneys) wrote a President. Carlos was a gritty fighter for Robert Nelson and the Cryonics Society of set of legal paperwork which was the an­ the rights of Alcor and of its suspended California. This was a prescient move on cestor of the current Alcor suspension patients. He almost seemed to grow larger their part, since a few years later it was documents; Mike especially was able to and stronger as the situation grew worse. discovered that Nelson had failed to keep accomplish some notable early research With the assistance of Jerry Leaf, Saul his patients frozen. and come up with several significant new Kent, Michael Darwin, Steve Harris, Keith Alcor stayed a tiny, almost personal technical ideas; and, in 1981, we started Henson, Arthur McCombs, and some organization for another decade. Jerry Leaf Cryonics magazine. terrific attorneys (and other members too became involved with cryonics in 1977 Later in 1981, Michael Darwin moved numerous to mention - no slight in­ and, based on his background in thoracic to California, and in 1982 we merged tended), Carlos led Alcor to a series of surgery and research, rapidly began lABS with Alcor. Mike became Alcor legal victories that stunned several local upgrading the quality of suspensions. He President and, with Jerry Leaf, Hugh and state governmental agencies. worked with both Trans Time and Alcor to Hixon, Allen Lopp, and other Southern Interestingly, the storm of news train teams of members to do research and California members, swiftly changed coverage of these events eventually placed perform human suspensions. Coincidental­ Alcor into the liveliest, most technically Alcor as the heroic organization in the bat­ ly, I also became a cryonicist in 1977, progressive, and most rapidly growing tle; and our membership began to boom when Michael Darwin and I started the In­ cryonics organization in the country. Mike (for a cryonics organization, anyway). stitute for Advanced Biological Studies in was President for 5 1/2 years, including Mike Darwin was named Director of Re­ Indianapolis. lABS never became a large the move to Riverside. search, and he, Jerry Leaf, and Hugh

16 • Cryonics • January 1993 Hixon continued to make substantial ad­ mass of paper, you might not call this a seems to be a natural consequence of vances in our suspension capability. Under positive). squeezing several cryonicists into the same the Presidency of Carlos Mondragon, For several years I have been the Al­ room. Alcor has placed 17 more patients into cor Midwest Coordinator and I am Presi­ My personality and methods are much suspension, and suspension membership dent of the Alcor Indiana Chapter. I was different. I think I am a little slower to has grown from 100 to about 350. one of the first Alcor members to get EMT react and more steady. I prefer to become a In the ten years since Mike Darwin training, and two years ago I also took Al­ "bridge" between people, rather than to in­ moved to California, Alcor has completely cor's Transport Technician Course. In spire conflict. I believe that I have the per­ changed from a tiny group of friends early 1990, I took a three month leave of sonal respect of most of the Alcor hoping to find some way to hold on to life, absence from my library job to work at members who have met me, although I to a dynamic organization with seven Alcor in Riverside. I have worked on five also recognize the level of demands which employees, dozens of volunteers around suspensions, including three transports. will be placed on me. While I have a the United States (many with training in During the past several years, I have given strong conviction in the need for liberty, I how to provide the early stages of "trans­ over fifty cryonics or nanotechnology slide do not identify myself as a pure "liber­ port" for a suspension patient), sets of presentations in Indiana, Illinois, and tarian;" so maybe I can resist the ego-need transport equipment and supplies in four Ohio. In September, 1992, I was elected to to battle with members over whose opinion remote U.S. locations and two sites over­ the Alcor Board of Directors. is "right." I also recognize that Alcor seas, and assets of around $2 million. The past few months have been itself, as a non-profit corporation, And now comes another change in bumpy for Alcor, although not because of constrained by the requirements of govern­ leadership. Carlos Mondragon has legal actions. For the first time in Alcor's ment and run by a Board of nine Directors, resigned as President and CEO, effective twenty years, a political disagreement be­ is not properly a "libertarian" organiza­ January 22, 1993, and I have been selected came the prime topic of conversation and tion, no matter what the political convic­ to take his place. While much hostility has threatened to overwhelm much of the good tions of its members. With a cryonics been vented in the various arguments of that has been accomplished. While the organization, where long- term survival the past few months, I consider this to be a various leaders of Alcor have cooperated and stability must be an over-arching prin­ "bump," not a failure. Looking at the both on many projects over the years, it is in­ ciple, I consider this situation a plus, not a dynamic and crisis-laden history of Alcor, evitable that independent-minded people minus. I understand that becoming the leader of under stress will eventually clash. This My first priority as Alcor's President this organization is an awesome challenge. year's events, like most such problems, will be to insure the continuation of our The members of Alcor not only want every can only be understood in the context of primary tasks: care of the patients already positive aspect of Alcor's recent past to five years of legal and economic turmoil in suspension, and assurance of our ability continue (and to accelerate, no doubt); but that have challenged Alcor, the differences to perform new suspensions. From a tech­ they also want every problem they point in philosophy and style that Alcor' s nical standpoint, I have confidence that we out eliminated. Today. In an organization leaders have had, and in their real differen­ can continue excellent suspension main­ whose members overwhelmingly identify ces of opinion on how Alcor's goals tenance and that the basic capability is themselves as "libertarian" (my dictionary should be reached. I am not going to there to handle transport and suspensions. unaccountably leaves the words "argumen­ speculate here about which people were In regard to performing suspensions, mem­ tative, opinionated, stubborn, and uncom­ right most often or which disputes did the bers' questions to me during the past few promising" out of the definition), this most harm. But it is understandable how weeks could be divided almost exclusively means a lot of forceful "pointing out." much of the membership's attention has into "When are you going to bring Darwin Not surprisingly, these kinds of mem­ focused on the two most visible par­ back?" and "You're not bringing Darwin bers offer many solutions which conflict ticipants: Presidents Mike Darwin and back, are you?" with each other. It will not be easy for Al­ Carlos Mondragon. Many members may not yet be aware cor's Board of Directors and me to sort Carlos and Mike are both battlers, that Michael Darwin has resigned from his these solutions out- or even to agree on leaders who know what they want (and contract to perform on Alcor's suspension what the problems really are. But we will who assume that what they want is team and from his suspension membership give it the greatest effort we have in us. RIGHT) and who are willing to push and in Alcor. (I should note that this does NOT For those many members who do not drag others along the paths of their vision. mean that Michael has abandoned cryonics know me, let me tell you more about This willingness to battle has been a great itself. He is still pursuing potentially valu­ myself. I am 44 years old, and I have spent benefit to Alcor when the battles are able suspension research through his own the last eighteen years as a librarian in In­ waged against outside forces, such as in­ company and through Cryovita.) Michael dianapolis, including the last twelve years difference, the medical and legal problems has discussed some of his reasons for this as an assistant branch manager. After the that death throws at us, or the interference decision on the computer network and with Institute for Advanced Biological Studies of hostile governmental agencies. How­ the Board of Directors; but he has decided merged with Alcor in 1982, I continued to ever, too often the battling has been done not to begin a series of arguments in the be one of the more active cryonicists in the against each other or other Alcor members. pages of cryonics. It would not be fair for country. I have written many articles for This is not to put the entire blame on Car­ me to summarize Michael's reasons; but I Cryonics and I have continued to be the los and Mike or to diminish their past ac­ think it is fair to state that they involve main editor and re-writer for Alcor' s complishments. Other Alcor members differences between Michael and some suspension paperwork (though if you have participated in, and perhaps even Alcor staff concerning the manner (in the recently worked your way through that relished, the conflict of the past year. It broadest possible sense) in which suspen-

Cryonics • January 1993 • 17 sions are to be performed. While I share perceive enough improvements to motivate proposals to change the manner in which some of Michael's concerns (and believe a higher level of cooperation. I do not ex­ the Board of Directors is chosen, although others to be exaggerated), I think that pect this to happen soon. any such change must be made with great "dropping out" is the wrong way to make Yes, it WILL be harder to do this care. improvements. Since I am one of work without Mike Darwin. It was harder Michael's oldest and closest friends, it after Jerry Leaf went into suspension, too; • The Alcor staff and Directors will might seem obvious that I would im­ but remaining team members renewed make a great effor:_t to increase com­ mediately begin pushing as hard as I could their commitment to Alcor and ac­ munication and cooperation between Alcor to reinstate Michael on the suspension complished six more suspensions. I have Central and remote members and chapters. team. But I am NOT going to do that. confidence that the current team and I also want to increase contacts between Performing suspensions is not a task prospective new team members will reor­ the members and chapters themselves. that one person can do. A team of a dozen ganize and forge ahead. Send us your suggestions. or so members is required from transport Obviously, one important task I have through descent to -196C. Michael's resig­ is to encourage more technical and medical • The risk of a severe earthquake in nation and the responses it has generated people to find out about our work and join Southern California has almost certainly from other team members show a great the suspension team. Even if we have increased during the past year. Efforts to amount of frustration and mistrust on both every team position covered, we do not find a new building and to increase seismic sides. It simply will not work to slam these have much depth and any additional loss in protection in the one we have must receive people back together in the super-heated the future (if only for a vacation) will a high priority. atmosphere of a cryonic suspension. As make the situation more difficult. YOU much as I admire the work that Mike has can help with this. If you know EMTs, • I want to develop a business plan done and the talents. he has, I must con­ paramedics, nurses (especially with emer­ which will explore the essential tasks of clude that under current circumstances it is gency or surgical background), medical our organization and which will give us not in Alcor's interest to bring Michael technicians, perfusionists, or physicians the basis for making the decisions neces­ Darwin back onto the suspension team. that might be interested in the frontiers of sary to handle growth in the future. Furthermore, Michael has indicated that he medicine and technology, don't be shy. DOES NOT WANT to be on the suspen­ Talk to them about cryonics, give them our • There are many possibilities for re­ sion team. literature; and if you see them getting ex­ search which Alcor could do on its own or We are going to have to learn to do cited, please give me a call. in cooperation with other organizations. cryonic suspensions without Michael Dar­ In future articles in Cryonics, I will be Alcor first made its reputation by develop­ win. Maybe this was going to happen writing about other issues facing Alcor. ing new methods in almost every area of anyway. Michael's resignation leads me to cryonics, including better storage protec­ question whether or not we could count on • Ralph Whelan and I will be working tion and safety, ways to reduce ischemic him if other difficult relationships arose in on methods of fund raising to increase Al­ injury, immensely better cooling methods the future. It may be possible that after cor's financial stability (expect a phone from 98.6 degrees on down, and the first nearly twenty years on the front line of call!). organized system of training and equip­ battle, Mike has lost his enthusiasm for ping remote agents to do patient trans­ performing suspensions and prefers to pur­ • I want to move forward rapidly with ports. To be effective in the future, we sue his research. our efforts to protect the Patient Care Trust must keep this edge. I sincerely hope that Michael and I Fund and other Alcor accounts. can keep the kind of friendship that allows None of these tasks can be accom­ us to share suggestions and knowledge. I • During my short time on the Board plished by me alone or even by the Board am positive that the research he is pursu­ of Directors I have led a movement to for­ or Staff alone. I am asking you to commit ing will give us new methods to limit the malize the operations of Alcor and its some part of yourself to preparing Alcor damage done to patients during suspen­ Board of Directors. That will continue. for the future. Your family and friends will sions. Perhaps over time some of the hard need us someday - and so will YOU. feelings will diminish and both sides will • I am interested in exploring various Help us make sure we are ready.

Cryonics: For various reasons, Alcor may eventually move its headquarters out Philosophy of a Cryonicist of California. How do you feel about this? Hixon: We realized when we went Interview with Hugh Hixon, Part II into the present facility we shouldn't be there for more than about five years, and this is exactly true. The problem is, we should've aggressively pursued looking for a new place even sooner than we have, Interviewer: Ralph Whelan but we've been severely cash limited. The deal we would've gotten in Phoenix would've been a real sweetheart, but it

18 • Cryonics • January 1993 Hixon: No, that mechanism of our growth is. We appear to doesn't follow. There are a grow in an exponential fashion, but we do lot of cities that have never not grow in the normal exponential had that problem. L.A. has fashion, which is a cascade of propagation. got a real good record of it Most of our propagation usually damps out now, because it had the by the third generation. It's kind of like a Watts Riots twenty years reverse half-lif~ situation, where the back, and they had this people just pop up out of the blue. It's crap that went down with seems rather directly related to the amount the Rodney King affair. of publicity we have, but there obviously There's no reason to are other factors also because we've had a believe that after a serious lot of publicity before and not had as many earthquake things are people come in. Plus there's the question going to be a whole lot of what's the total number of cryonicists better. I think engineer­ out there. It may be that there's some ing-wise we can deal with upper limit. For example, if you take the the problem of earth­ number of cryonicists in California quakes, but services-wise divided by the total population, and then we cannot. And yet we you extend that to a United States sized have this other problem, population, it only turns out there's 800 that a lot of support is in people. On the other hand, you know what Southern California, and a they say about California's population: number of our patients they shook the country and all the loose now and to come are going nuts rolled down into the corner. (Laughs) to be from Southern Cali­ fornia simply because of Cryonics: A lot of people would the number of people we argue that cryonics will not have "mass ap­ have here. So we have peal" until it's offered as a hospital proce­ these opposing forces. And dure. there's other constraints. Hixon: Well, that's a chicken and egg We have to have came together and everything went down reliable access to cheap the drain, so that's a real blow. There's a liquid nitrogen. Plus lot of different forces on this move, and a there's the sheer physical lot of it has to do with the number of scale of the move; the people we have available. A lot of our sup­ business rule is, two port is in Southern California, and people moves equals one fire, in can't move. And yet it would be very nice terms of disruption of the to have at least our storage functions out operation. Plus, there's the of the earthquake area, but we don't have major technical problem of enough people to support two facilities. moving those dewars full. There are all sorts of pro's Cryonics: In your estimation, are we and con's, but what really going to have to move out of California drives us is the danger of before we can support two facilities? severe civil disturbance in Hixon: Yes. It is something I do not the L.A. area after an like. I used to think it would be possible to earthquake. find a place in Southern California that in fact would be quite earthquake resistant, Cryonics: Do you en­ and I still do. However, the riots in L.A. vision Alcor - or some were very educational because they dem­ other cryonics organiza­ onstrated how stupid people could act and tion - becoming a huge how stretched the infrastructure of damage and powerful corporation? control and firefighting and so on is. The Hixon: That has a lot engineering problem of taking care of a to do with the rate of facility I might've dealt with, but the civil growth. There seems to be, disturbances problem is very difficult to based on recent history, a deal with. real tendency to fragment. It may be we can become Cryonics: You're probably opposed, quite large, but it is not then, to locating Alcor near any major city. obvious at all what the

Cryonics • January 1993 • 19 solution. But most people don't carry their thoughts that far. They take <:leath as they know it from childhood, and what they've heard, and they tuck into a little room and then go away and try not to think about it. And we've thought about it, and from an engineering point of view, the tools are either available or they will be available. But most people out there don't get that far. And science-fiction authors, in a lot of respects, aren't any more far-seeing than anyone else. Most science-fiction does not come true. In fact, most science fiction I think would have to be described as rather prosaic.

Cryonics: So you don't think that science-fiction writers are a particularly fertile ground for cryonicists? Hixon: Particularly not. They're just like the general population, except they write science-fiction. They get up in the Transferring the First Man: Hugh watchdogs every step of James Bedford's move to a state-of-the-art "Bigfoot" dewar. morning, put their pants on, pay taxes ... they're not really all that different. problem. There's a possibility of concern tern in sure-terminal cases makes a lot They're not imbued with some sense of the about legitimacy, and yet having a hospital more sense. future, or some great vision or anything procedure gives us legitimacy. So some­ Hixon: I don't think so. I don't think like that, particularly. where we need to crack the egg. hospitals have that much influence. Plus, I think that Cryonics: Would you say it's likely the right-to-die initiatives that rather than having "Alcor Suspension are going to have more ef­ Centers" all over the country, we will in­ fect sooner. stead interface directly with hospitals, and the suspensions - that is, the perfusions Cryonics: As an avid - will be performed there? science-fiction reader, Hixon: There is no question in my you're sure to have noticed mind that ultimately we cannot compete that extremely few s-f with hospitals for medical services writers portray cryonics in delivered. The problem is, how long will a positive light, when they we have to bear the burden ourselves? If portray it working at all. we could achieve field washout capability Care to speculate on that? with all of the local teams, that would get Hixon: The thing is, rid of a lot of the requirements for heavy when you get into reviving medical support. It would still be very nice the dead in science-fiction to die in a hospital and be suspended right and fantasy, it's always a there, but "flush and store" solutions - magical process, usually and the ability to use them in the field with by a deal with the demons each of our local teams rather than simply from the netherworld, or the people from Southern California­ something like that. The could make a big difference. spiritual, mystical attitude toward the soul probably Cryonics: But wouldn't you agree has a lot to do with things. that our only realistic avenue to premortem You have this thought of suspensions is that we begin by having it death as something inef­ offered in hospitals? fable that can't be quan­ Hixon: The only realistic avenue to tified, when in fact when premortem suspensions. you look at it, it's just another damned engineer­ Cryonics: But wouldn't you say that ing process: you break it that law is more likely to be changed if down into its pieces and hospitals come to the independent realiza­ most of them look one way Hugh and Keith run blood-gas analyses and refractometry during 1992's first suspension. tion that beginning the procedure premor- or another tractable to

20 • Cryonics • January 1993 piss. On the other hand, he don't know, like whether a butterfly used as evidence that one flapped its wings in Africa- isn't going diagnosed him as a total to affect you at all. So you concentrate on outlaw. the nearby stuff. And so most people, on any given special thing, rather than inves­ Cryonics: I some­ tigate themselves are going to take some­ times theorize that most body else's word for it. And people take, people tend to move for some reason, -the Breakfast of Cham­ through phases in their pions phenomenon, where athletes endorse lives - perhaps from breakfast cereals ... and it's a real problem. Christianity to Objectivism So freezing a known celebrity would or Atheism or mysticism, probably be a fairly remarkable step. But whatever- and that may­ the trouble is, celebrities are no more be when we seem to have prone to this idea than anybody else, and an "instant cryonicist," it's there're not very many of them. because the person is in a "phase gap" of sorts. Cryonics: What do you think are the Hixon: That isn't chances that you will someday end up in supported by our growth cryonic suspension? statistics, because if that Hixon: Well, it's kind of race be­ were the case you'd expect tween genetics - mine - and medical to see fairly constant in­ technology- everybody else's. It requires put, not the exponential that in the next ten years some really sub­ rise that we see. Let me stantial improvements be made in lon­ put it this way: it could be gevity. Now there may actually be stuff a component, but it's not that's out there now ... certainly this the rate-limiting factor. On Human Growth Hormone thing that came the third hand, I don't around a couple of years ago is at the very remember that I was un­ least intriguing, and instead of farting At the Alcor 20th Anniversary Dinner: dergoing much of a transi­ around we ought to transplant the hormone A reluctantly-tuxedoed Hugh talks with Allen Lopp. tion. I was ripe. Per- Cryonics: Well then what makes manently ripe. someone an "instant cryonicist," and why are there so few? Cryonics: What Hixon: I haven't got a clue. I really single event- more than want to take the time to do a histogram. any other - do you think One of the things that I'm pretty confident would improve the public of is that we're going to see a real spikey perception of cryonics? age distribution. And it may not help us a Hixon: Since public lot, but if you see definite age spikes, then perception is extremely you can assume that there is a strong cul­ silly, it would probably be tural determinant, of some undisclosed na­ something extremely silly. ture. Or their mothers were frightened by What you have here is an Elvis stories, or something like that. extension of the principle called Rational Ignorance, Cryonics: Okay, let's suppose we find which is to say that there's out that the age spikes are in neat five-year a huge amount of stuff out chunks ... the point is, why so few? there that you ought to Hixon: There is a lot of competition know, but there's only a for what Keith [Henson] would refer to as limited amount of time, so the Death Meme, and the Resurrection as a result, anything that's Meme, and so on ... It's probably a com­ not going to bite you bination - as usual - of genetic wiring immediately you ignore, and rather random things that they're ex­ because if it hasn't then it posed to. So far we've never been able to isn't gonna, so why identify a real definite rule. It's been a real bother? And a lot of time, obstruction, and I don't know that anybody this is a perfectly good can get around it. I talked about this once strategy, and a good with Timothy Leary - who before he was pruner of your actions. Be­ interested in consciousness expanding was cause most of the time, a hot-shot psychometrician - and he says what you don't know- a that most psychometric tests are worth huge amount of what you

Cryonics • January 1993 • 21 tality, without spending a mind really spooks people. I offer Tim hiatus in suspension, Leary's experience as evidence, because you're going to have to be what he had in mind was people changing "bootstrapped" into the themselves. It is a dangerous procedure, at future by medical technol­ least experimentally, but obviously once ogy. we start trying it we'll get better. Why Hixon: Right. A year can't I have elements of Albert Einstein's here, a year there. Who mind, or Mike Perry's mathematical knows, maybe I'll have to ability, or all sorts of things? There's lots start eating clean, or some­ of room for improvement, and not just in thing like that. (Laughs.) physiological stuff like do I really need an appendix or a bald head. If you start dig­ Cryonics: Would you ging through the entire genome of the say that it fills you more human race, obviously there're a lot of with excitement or with ways in which we can be made better. And fear when you consider the then we get into icky things like what con­ notion of dropping into a stitutes personality. I take issue with a lot limbo of sorts for a decade of the things that I see tum up in Cryonics or three, then attempting to because it's all arguments from first prin­ re-integrate yourself into ciples, without utilization of the huge mass the sort of technological of literature that's out there on psychol­ society that would enable ogy. A lot of it has to do with questions of such a re-integration? identity. There 're some interesting ques­ Hixon: Well, you're tions, and there have been some neat trying to dramatize it, and answers, but people do have arguments the answer is ... I don't from first principles, and they're cut off dramatize things very completely from experimental evidence. much. Look at it this way: Which is why I don't count most of those somewhere in our history, arguments as being worth a whole hell of a probably a lot of some­ lot. There is evidence out there that it wheres, some guy put his would be very interesting to use, but we worldly belongings on his have no psychologist among us who is ac­ into a bunch of tobacco plants or some­ back in some lousy little village in Europe quainted with the body of that work. thing like that, and I think they'd have a and walked down to the nearest port - big market. I'm not to the point where my possibly with rags on his feet, possibly Cryonics: What odds would you as­ physique is decayed or anything, it's al­ with nothing- took a ship, probably had sign to cryonics working for today's ways been pretty scrawny, but it might a lot of his companions die in [passage], cryonics patients? conceivably be a hell of a help. And then and came over here where he heard the Hixon: It's the same as the odds of there's some other tantalizing stuff that's streets were paved with gold. He never civilization holding together for the next been reported on by a guy named W_est, saw his family again, he probably never hundred or two hundred years. I think it's and we'll have to see how that goes. S{> heard his native language spoken again ... basically an inevitable technology, pro­ maybe within the next ten years, I can at there are a lot of ancestors that did just vided technology doesn't take a wrong least slow up any deteriorating processes. I that, and probably in fairly recent history. tum. don't see anything immediately obvious to I don't see that this is any more dramatic reverse it... I would have to say that there's then what they did. I suspect that if there Cryonics: So from a theoretical about a fifty percent chance I get frozen. I are any great number of us -which I cer­ standpoint, this is inevitable? sure as hell hope that it isn't after some tainly hope- there will be a whole field Hixon: Yes. The problem is the long mental deterioration, because it cer­ of reorientation psychology which will peripheral conditions, like, you've got to tainly seems that my short-term memory is deal with the problem. And I don't see that have a society that will support it. You falling off somewhat, but that's kind of I'm going to propose any special case. Just can't have gigantic religious revivals, hard to quantify. It seems reasonable to as­ give me a toolbox and the operating in­ economic collapse, major war, AIDS on sert that it's possible for medical technol­ structions. roller skates ... we're not going to have ogy to stay ahead of me, but it's obvious revival under Nehemiah Scudder, if you're it's going to be a race. In ten or fifteen Cryonics: Any ideas on how you'll acquainted with Heinlein. On the other years, we'll be right smack into the human occupy yourself in a world of agelessness hand, there's the opinion that if it doesn't genome, and probably within eight or ten and nanotechnology? work out, you don't wake up, and it somebody's going to try to reset the Hixon: Go back to school. One of the doesn't matter anyway. If you do wake up, developmental sequencer by some tricky things that I see that most people don't ap­ it can only be in a reasonably benign en­ means. That's going to be real interesting. proach very much- presumably because vironment. That's the opinion I'm most in­ I'd sure as hell like to be in on that one. it involves screwing around with their clined to subscribe to. If it doesn't work, I image of themselves - is that everybody think I've lost very little. If it does work, Cryonics: So then you think that for assumes that the mind will remain a black I've gained a great deal. you to make it back to youthful immor- box. The idea of modification of one's

22 • Cryonics • January 1993 Cryonics One Decade Ago Edited and Abstracted by Ralph Whelan

From the January, 1983 a classic with cryonicists and non-cry­ work of relationships and the endless itera­ issue of Cryonics: onicists alike. However, we quickly ran tive series of projects that I am always in­ into great difficulties in contacting Hein­ volved in. Stop them and re-start them at lein and, in any event, we weren't sure of some future time: and they are no longer When You Can't Even Give It Away: his commitment to the idea. the same." It was also obvious throughout Cryonics And Fred Pohl But there was another popular author the book that Pohl has a deep commitment we were sure of- a man who had written to his children, so we suspected that he by Mike Darwin (with assistance from several supportive articles about cryonics wished to make sure they were well Steve Bridge) and who had made literally hundreds of provided for after his death. While we TV and radio appearances to promote the could do nothing directly to overcome his In 1978, the Board of Directors of the idea in the middle and late 1960's. In philosophic problem, we certainly could Institute for Advanced Biological Studies Playboy magazine in June, 1964 this man offer to eliminate the financial considera­ (lABS), then headquartered in In­ wrote: tions. Perhaps Pohl was our man. dianapolis, began developing a plan to Then, in early 1979, we discovered promote cryonics by persuading some im­ It's hard to gainsay Ettinger's basic that Fred Pohl was to be the Guest of portant person to sign up for suspension. It propositions. For it is not merely a ques­ Honor at the North American Science Fic­ was important that this person have an in­ tion of John Doe, cancer victim age 35, tion Convention to be held the following tellectual or emotional following who being tucked away in the deep freeze and Labor Day weekend in Louisville - easy might be asked for research donations and then a century later being brought out and driving distance from Indianapolis. We who might spread the word about this in­ repaired to live the rest of his life. If the decided definitely to make our offer to dividual's suspension. As the plan evolved thing works at all, it works indefinitely. Pohl at that time. Who could be more we realized there was only one thing And unless John Doe consciously decides deserving? Who more likely to accept? We which a small organization could offer to along about the year 4,000 AD that made arrangements with the convention impress such a celebrity. Our offer would enough is really enough and please don't committee for us to take Pohl to dinner on be that we would make the arrangements bother next time, it is hard to see any point September 1st, 1979. for and carry out the cryonic suspension of at which he really will permanently die. Reservations had been made at a good the person for FREE, with only one string local restaurant, and a group of lABS attached: that he allow us to use his name Real motivations will be there. If you members (and three non-lABS people who after his suspension to promote cryonics. can spend a decade on the Great Barrier interceded with the convention committee We would also ask for a simple statement Reef and six months on the Grand Prix cir­ to come along) escorted Pohl on foot from of affirmation from the individual which cuit, a year composing motets and a the Galt House hotel (Randroids and would be used with the public announce­ lifetime (our present lifetime) out past former Randroids may chuckle here) to the ment of the suspension. The type of use Mars; if you can tour the future centuries eatery. It was a pleasant meal, punctuated and publicity would be carefully detailed and sample the cultures of Aldebaran and by Pohl's warm remembrances of the early before the agreement was final. As a mini­ have ·ample time for romance and mere days of "Ettinger's idea." He had many in­ mum, we would certainly agree not to in­ loafing in between - there's motivation teresting anecdotes to tell, from the volve the individual's family (unless they for a long, long time. perspective of a man who was there at the volunteered themselves) and no family beginning. During the course of the eve­ member would be asked to contribute While there is work and pleasure and ning Pohl was asked about his current money. novelty and creative effort, and you have stand on cryonics. He repeated his pre­ We soon decided that it would make the mind and body to respond, you will be viously given reasons for not joining and the most sense to approach someone who motivated- to ends no one now can pos­ confirmed our impression of his feelings had already expressed a firm interest in the sibly imagine. about his family. He also stated that he idea and who further had done something still felt it was basically a sound idea. Yes, to support it. We hoped for someone who The author of these visionary remarks he said, if things were different he certain­ was in favor of cryonics but who had not is Frederik Pohl, one of the most popular ly would have considered it for himself. signed up because of primarily practical and accomplished of the modern science As the meal drew to a close, I asked him if reasons: poor cost to benefit ratio, lack of fiction writers, and the author of the he would be willing to meet with several confidence in the financial stability of the cryonics-related novel, The Age of the Pus­ of us in order to hear about a rather un­ organizations, or the wish not to deprive syfoot. In 1978 in his autobiography, The usual offer we wished to make him. He surviving family members of a large part Way the Future Was, Pohl discussed his paused only a second before graciously ac­ of their inheritance. We originally thought previous involvement with cryonics, his cepting the invitation. I believe all of us in of the idea in connection with science fic­ belief that it might work, and his reasons that little party were tensed with excite­ tion author Robert Heinlein. He has a large for not being signed up. One was financial: ment. We were excited because we felt we and emotional following and he is the he did not wish to sacrifice quality in his were doing something important and be­ author of The Door into Summer, a posi­ life for the gamble of a future life. The cause we were repaying a debt of gratitude tive and powerful book about suspended other reason was philosophical: "What long owed. animation which has become something of makes my life desirable to me is the net- When we arrived back at the Galt

Cryonics • January 1993 • 23 House, we escorted Pohl to my room, with two years. In short, Fred Pohl turned us He is unable to accept the thought of again a small core of lABS officers, including down ... "leaving home," that is, breaking with the Steve Bridge, then president of lABS. What can we learn from Fred Pohl' s relationships and conditions of today to Slowly and carefully we told Frederik Pohl refusal? First and foremost, we must rid start again at a future time. He would what we had in mind, presenting him with ourselves of the notion that high cost is the rather cease to exist. a brief but comprehensive slide show most significant reason for the slow This is a hard lesson for a cryonicist documenting our physical capabilities growth of cryonics. Pohl turned down the to learn. A person gtay have money,he before making him the offer. When we chance even though it was free. Few rich may have happiness, he may have vision; completed our presentation there was a men have signed up, although many have but if he doesn't have that one desire to be moment of stunned silence from Pohl. This been contacted. Of the non-suspension part of the future, then he doesn't want witty and articulate man was momentarily respondents to our recent cryonics poll, anything to do with cryonics, even for at a loss for words. He recovered himself thirteen mentioned "financial" as one of free. To extend our original metaphor - and said that it was a remarkable offer. I the reasons why they had not arranged for people may have beautiful gardens, but if believe his words were to the effect that it suspension. Three of those people had in­ they don't have roses, they don't want the was the largest price ever offered for any comes between $15,000-$25,000; three manure. It is even harder to understand the commodity a human being could give - were $25,000-$50,000; and one made over lesson in this particular case, for we know immortality in exchange for the mere use $50,000. Yet of the 41 respondents who that Frederik Pohl is certainly wise enough of his name. He also said, with some shock are signed up to be frozen, thirteen listed to realize that if you don't have the roses in his voiCe, that his previous excuses were incomes of less than $15,000. If people and don't buy the manure, then you end up no longer relevant and that he would have want it, they will find a way to pay for it. as fertilizer yourself. to rethink his position. The problem is getting people to want it. In his "Author's Note" to The Age of Our readers might wish to consider There are more important factors than the Pussyfoot, Pohl questions why so few that people with far larger egos than Fred money operating here. people have been frozen and then states, Pohl have traded their names, even for All we can assume is that Pohl didn't "It strikes me that we are all, from birth, so degrading use, for much, much less. Just want a future life. And at least in Pohl's often reminded that we are inevitably close your eyes and picture Joe Namath in case, this cannot be because he is not going to die that we cannot accept an offer his panty hose or Bruce Jenner huckstering happy with this life. By all accounts and of immortality when it is presented, until Wheaties. Human beings will do pretty by our personal observation, Fred Pohl is and unless it is shown to work. Dem­ cheap and tasteless things for mere money at the height of his creativity as a writer, at onstrate that it works one time, and we'll - and for not even very much of it. By the peak of his popularity, extremely ac­ grab for it as we've grabbed for few things comparison, the offer we made to Fred tive in all ways, and relatively content before." Perhaps that is true. But Pohl Pohl was on a silver platter. with his life - perhaps too content. He himself has shown us that, for many Fred Pohl didn't take our offer that has the "work and pleasure and novelty people, a lot more changers will be neces­ night in the Galt House. He said he needed and creative effort," and he has "the mind sary. And some, unfortunately, will no time to think about it. We never heard and body to respond." Yet somehow he is longer be around to "grab for it" when it from him again. He didn't answer the two unable or unwilling to make that jump in happens. letters we sent. He has been on the com­ logic to acknowledge that this can again plimentary mailing list for Cryonics for take place in the future and be even better. Reviews

Nanosystems By K. Eric Drexler

Reviewed by Thomas Donaldson

Like any book, this one has both For anyone watching the growth of our bearing on his particular ideas and defects and advantages. Its principal ad­ nanoscale capabilities it's useful to know presents results of calculations done by vantage is that its author presents, in one what at least one thinker in that area him and others to show that these ideas place, a great deal of the thinking done believes about his subject. have a future. So far as I can see (and I by him and those around him on the In this vein, Drexler collects together hardly spent as much effort reading the problem of building nanoscale devices. (and explains) all the scientific results book as Drexler and his school have

24 • Cryonics • January 1993 spent actually doing these calculations), Perhaps I read too much into Drex­ will very likely find a far better way, one the basic, root calculations presented are ler's discussions in Nanosystems; readers which actually USES all the characteris­ correct. As someone who has read widely will have to judge that for themselves (I tics of the small scale (such as quantum in many fields of science, and feels very hope after first looking at IEEE Com­ dynamics, and flexible molecules), which easy with the math involved, I could not puter and following out some of the paths Drexler tries to avoid by using diamond find any statement of fact to which I presented there). And readers should as his basic mat~rial. And it's the same would object. And yes, it is useful to know, if they don't already, that I have for therapeutic devices, or any other kind have one set of ideas on the subject of publicly stood apart, as a skeptic, from of device. Even with these special nanotechnology set down on paper. Drexler and his school. However the diamondoid materials (made, of course, However ... I see this book as having book is notable by its lack of both cita­ using nanomachines made of... guess important defects also. tion and discussion of the work of others what: diamondoid materials!), the cal­ The first issue is one of terminology. who take quite different paths to nano­ culations Drexler presents don't actually That may seem minor, but for Drexler it technology. All that, so far as it goes, prove the possibility of his machines seems to provide a spring- (suggest, indicate, but not board into many implica- prove). That problem tions which deserve (but comes because the cal­ never receive) explicit Any technically inclined cryonicist should buy culations always show consideration. Nanosys­ and read this book; but I strongly recommend only the feasibility of one tems, at least to me, particular kind of part: a denotes any system of that they explore other ideas in nanotechnology gear, for instance. A gear components based on too. It tells of only one corner of a very large and a rod do not make a nanotechnology, which in working machine. What turn is the technological cloth. we do not know, and what manipulation of matter at is never verified, is that atomic scales to create these parts can all as- useful devices. Put so broadly, no one receives a discussion in Appendix B, semble successfully into a working (and certainly no one who has read deep­ totaling less than 6 pages ... only 5 pages machine to achieve some purpose. That ly in cryonics) can object at all to study if you exclude a short discussion of Feyn­ problem comes directly from our in­ of nanotechnology and nanosystems. To man 's original ideas. Not only that, but ability to do the required calculations on manipulate life as we wish to, we will Drexler makes his discussion (and an entire system. necessarily use nanotechnology because comparison) very easy by omitting one In particular, Drexler and his school lifeforms themselves consist of molecu­ standard, known field of engineering apparently used Macs as their main com­ lar-scale objects interacting in intricate completely: that is, chemical engineer­ puters, and an established small scale patterns already. ing, which unlike chemistry devotes itself program, MM2, for their calculations. In Yet Drexler is nowhere so general as to production of needed chemicals. (It's discussing MM2 (p.42), Drexler quotes that. Even by the name of his book, Drex­ easy to criticize chemistry as not a branch results from others giving its accuracy as ler suggests not just that it contains of engineering!) Much of this other work, about 0.1% for bond length, 0.5% for nanotechnology, but that it contains ALL also, has a far more empirical bent: these bond angles. To make a single gear to of nanotechnology. Factually, that is others don't simply do theoretical cal­ this tolerance is easy: but a large, work­ quite false, even forgetting cryonics. For culations, they wrestle with the real ing nanosystem may need much higher at least 10 years now, many people not in world, making (or trying to make) real tolerance (Drexler argues that it will not Drexler's school have studied and devices. No one would claim that cures on pp. 315-318, but with far too much thought about devices which any simple for cancer using modified cells taken handwaving: the problem lies not in fit­ parsing of the word would say are nano­ from a patient are matters of theory ting a mechanism together, but in making technological. Much of this work has alone. it ACT to a high tolerance). We will only centered on application to computing, but In discussing his results at the end of know that such machines will work either genetic engineers, with their finely tuned the book, Drexler claims that he is the by actually making one, or by making modified viruses, are also doing nano­ first to consider nanosized mechanical vastly more powerful computers than we technology. I refer in particular to the devices. Put thus, I see no reason to deny now have. Nanotechnology has not yet work of Carver Mead; but many others his claim. However, what is not clear is reached the state of electrical engineer­ have also participated. Readers might just what will be the final outcome of all ing, where computers test out devices look, for instance, at the November 1992 this work. Drexler states himself that the before sending them to fab. issue of IEEE Computer, which contains means to construct his devices do not One final, persistent question I had a series of articles on molecular comput­ presently exist. Nonexistent devices will, on reading this book was that of just what ing, as seen by scientists in the United of course, always do a better job than any Drexler was attempting to achieve when States, Russia, the British Isles, and existing device ... whatever that job may he wrote it. I don't believe even Drexler Japan. The current applications of genetic be. When we do build nanosized comput­ thinks that, when we finally attain engineering to human beings also deserve ing devices, will we really do it with rods mastery of the nanorealm, we'll do it attention. and knobs? Somehow I doubt that. We with his designs. In one long chapter he

Cryonics • January 1993 • 25 discusses, in detail, his ideas about Against this background, all of these cal­ place as useful devices. Perhaps some­ theoretical engineering. These are quite culations about nanomachines seem ex­ day, like Babbage's computer, someone interesting and he makes some good cessive. Particularly if he wishes to will build them, just to prove their pos­ points. We do need much more thinking argue, to a naive audience, that nanotech­ sibility ... while our actual devices will about possible devices of all kinds. Biol­ nology is coming and will bring great use more subtle means to achieve far ogy and even biochemistry, unlike benefits, then much more discussion of more. physics, has suffered for years from a other lines of work, and existing devices, Feynman not only suggested that we refusal of many (not all!) of its theorists would seem appropriate. might master the nanorealm, but also that to consider possibilities rather than Or again, is he seriously trying to we would find new ideas and principles simple facts. Moreover, to sketch out argue not only the possibility, but the en­ when we did so. And the existence of so what is possible it IS reasonable to as­ gineering superiority, of his nanome­ many living things, combined with the sume safety factors far beyond those chanical devices? To make such a point total absence of nanomachines as Drexler needed in ordinary engineering (which on purely theoretical grounds, with no ac­ defines them, suggests that the Universe suggests again that no one will ever ac­ tual machine, he must not only consider is telling us something important about tually build the devices proposed: they his nanomachines in detail, but also in ANY nanodevice. (Yes, we see mecha­ would have far too much "fat" compared equal detail a range of nonexistent nisms all over: enzymes themselves are to useful real versions). devices built on other principles: chemi­ mechanisms. Mechanisms make protein But his discussion, in Nanosystems, cal? Biochemical? Highly modified ver­ and read off RNA from DNA. Yet nano­ omits some critical points for anyone sions of living things? Nanosystems mechanisms never seem to grow larger who wants to argue possibilities. The contains no such detailed comparisons. than that; and most interesting, the point main critical point is that he and his (It's easy to see why not: it would extend at which Drexler stops calculating his school are far from alone in considering to at least 5 times its present length!). device behavior and starts handwaving such issues. Even the idea of computers As with K. Eric Drexler, I too coincides closely with the maximum size based on nanosized parts existed prior to believe that control of the nanorealm can of machines in living things). Any techni­ Drexler's published work. The existence and will be achieved, and that such con­ cally inclined cryonicist should buy and of living things of all kinds suggests, by trol will bring us great benefits. And I too read this book; but I strongly recommend itself, that understanding and using the vividly remember reading Feynman' s that they explore other ideas in nanotech­ phenomena of the nanorealm would yield original article. I part from Drexler, nology too. It tells of only one corner of a very great benefits, as current genetic en­ though, in doubting that nanomachines as very large cloth. gineering has forcefully begun to show. he describes them will ever take their

1988

David Pizer

1988, as many of you know, started staff for the cryonics newsletter, Ven­ ficers came to our car and ordered us to just after Saul Kent brought his dying turist Voice (now called V enturist Month­ cease taking pictures and then left. We mother into Alcor so she could deanimate ly News). I slept at the lab that evening. continued to take pictures, and shortly at the facility and hopefully receive the In the morning, I was in the bathroom thereafter the officers returned and ar­ best possible suspension. As a result of when I heard a loud knocking on the rested us. (We were put in separate cars.) that action, Alcor came under attack by door. Eventually I opened it and became As I sat alone in a police car, hands the Riverside Coroner's Office, especial­ aware of many law enforcement people cuffed behind my back, I noticed that ly by the head of that department, Coro­ in the facility. I was temporarily detained members of the press began to arrive and ner Ray Carrillo. Carrillo wanted Alcor then asked to leave. interview the officials. Although I could to surrender Dora Kent's head so he My friend Mike Perry and I even­ not hear very well what was being said, I could autopsy and destroy it. tually parked across the narrow street in could see that the press was satisfied with On the evening before the January 7 front of Alcor, in my car. We watched as what the officials were telling them. It raid (and this was only the first raid; officials came and went inside the seemed that Alcor would receive some there was a followup the next week), I ar­ facility. I began to take pictures (and I very bad publicity. What happened after rived at Alcor to do an interview of the believe Mike took a few also). The of- that is not too clear in my mind. I was

26 • Cryonics • January 1993 concerned with what was going to happen Combs were all arrested and put out of troversy and potential risk to their ca­ to myself, my friends, and the patients of reach of the press. Saul Kent and Jerry reers. Now that nearly five years have Alcor. Leaf, believing they could be of more passed and we have won such a decisive About this time a small group of help to Alcor on the outside, went into victory, these fine people can come for­ neighbors began to gather to watch. Out hiding. ward and serve on the Board and in fact of this small crowd a person stepped for­ Upon our release Mike Darwin was we are lucky to have them. ward and addressed the press. He intro­ unable to stand the pressure. As CEO, he I know most <1f us on the Board feel duced himself as the Treasurer of Alcor. felt he would suffer the most if charges a lot of gratitude to Carlos for paving the He told the press that what was happen­ were pressed against us. Mike became way. I know that Alcor brought in a lot of ing was a breach of justice and a mistake unable to function. I have been told that new members during this controversy, on the part of the officials. He was articu­ other people were offered the presidency because people admired our courage and late and he answered all the questions of Alcor but no one even wanted to talk because after we won, cryonics became from the press in a professional and per­ about it. Eventually Carlos called Jerry more respectable. So now as 1992 comes suasive manner. At the end of his talk he (who was then Vice President) and said to an end we all feel a little safer with was placed in handcuffs by the officials he would take over. Carlos was our CEO this crisis behind us. We all feel a little and taken to the police station with the and President from that time until he more comfortable with the fine quality rest of us. resigned on November 21, 1992. Board we now have to lead us. But let's It is my opinion that if this person As most of you know, we filed suit remember that it wasn't always that way. had not stepped forward just when he did, against the Coroner, we fought him in the I hope we will never forget 1988. I hope the press would have gone against us in a press and eventually won. I believe that we will never have to repeat the lessons it terrible way and the officials would have his immoral actions were initially just a taught us. had the nerve to remove our patients, self-serving ploy, to help in his political thereby destroying Alcor. But the press career. It backfired on him; Coroner Car­ did not go against us. They were mostly rillo lost at the next election, and we won in our favor, or at least were not too hos­ a $90,000 settlement from the officials. tile. The man who stepped out of the During the period right after the Dora crowd and spoke was Carlos Mondrag6n. Kent affair, Board of Directors' positions There was no one else there to speak became available at Alcor. Several for us. Mike Darwin, Hugh Hixon, Mike qualified persons were asked to be on the Perry, myself, and eventually Art Me- Board but declined because of the con-

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The Alcor Life Extension Foundation and Cryonics reserve the right Do you want to keep up with science and technology bearing on cry­ to accept, reject, or edit ads at our own discretion and assume no onics? PERIASTRON is a science newsletter written by and for responsibility for their content or the consequences of answering cryonicists, only $2.50 per issue. PERIASTRON, PO 2365, Sun­ these advertisements. The rate is $8.00 per line per month (lines are nyvale CA 94087. approximately 66 columns wide). Tip-in rates per sheet are $200 (printed one side) or $240 (printed both sides), from camera-ready copy. Tip-in ads must be clearly identified as such. Spread cryonicist & Extropian memes with "Neural Tweaker" greeting card themes! For FREE catalog send SASE to: Neural Tweakers, c\o Kevin Q. Brown; P.O. Box 781; Netcong, NJ 08757 MARY NAPLES, CLU and BOB GILMORE- CRYONICS IN­ USA SURANCE SPECIALISTS. New York Life Insurance Company; 4600 Bohannon Drive, Suite 100; Menlo Park, CA 94025. (800) "I'D RATHER BE DEAD THAN READ?"- NO WAY! Read Ven­ 645-3338. turist Monthly News- News about various cryonics topics- send for free sample copy- Society for Venturism; 1547 W. Dunlap; J.R. SHARP- INS. BROKER- ALL TYPES OF INSURANCE, Phoenix, AZ 85021. ANNUITIES, LIVING TRUSTS and LIFE TRUSTS. Assisting Alcor Officers & Members since 1983. P.O. Box 2435, Fullerton, CA 92633. (714) 738-6200 or FAX (714) 738-1401. LIFE EXTENSION FOUNDATION OF HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA provides members with "inside" information about high-tech EXTROPY: The Journal of Transhumanist Thought, #9. Hans anti-aging therapies. for free information ca111-800-841-LIFE. Moravec on Time Travel and Computing. Plus: Persons, Programs, and Uploading Consciousness, Nanotechnology and Faith, Extropian Principles 2.0, Exercise and Longevity, Genetic Algorithms, reviews. Announcing the formation of the @Lunar Society. Meeting ir­ $4.50 from Extropy Institute; PO Box 57306; Los Angeles, CA regularly. Write: Thomas A. Selene, La Sierra Station Box 8875, 90057-0306. E-mail info from [email protected]. Riverside, CA 92515.

Cryonics • January 1993 • 27 Order Form

NOTE: All prices include postage and handling and are in U.S. dollars. Minimum order $5.00. Overseas orders must be paid for with U.S. dollars by Traveler's Cheques or International Money Order. (Overseas orders add 10% for shipping.) All orders are sub­ ject to availability and all prices are subject to change.

Histological Cryoprotection of Rabbit Cryonics Magazine Brain With 3M Glycerol $0.50 Subscriptions: But What Will The Neighbors Think: The History And Rationale of Neurosuspension $2.00 D United States: $35.00/year Histological Cryoprotection of Rat And Rabbit Brains $1.50 D Canada and Mexico: $40.00/year The Cephalarium Vault: A New System of D Outside North America: $45.00/year Protection For Alcor Neuropatients $1.25 Molecular Engineering: An Approach to The Cryonics back issues: Development of General Capabilities For Molecular Manipulation $1.00 U.S., Canada and Mexico: $2.50 each. Issues: -----­ Cryonics and Orthodoxy $0.50 Outside North America: $3.50 each. Issues: ------Molecular Technology And Cell Repair Machines $2.00 Vitrification as an Approach to $3.00 Membership Nanotechnology $2.50 24th Century Medicine $2.00 D Alcor Suspension Membership Packet $100.00 A Dream in His Pocket $2.00 The Cost of Cryonics $3.00 Freezing of Uving Cells: Mechanisms and hnplications $3.00 Books Will Cryonics Work? $4.00 Her Blue Eyes Will Sparkle $1.00 Cryonics -Reaching For Tomorrow $5.00 Cryonics and Space $0.50 Engines of Creation $10.95 The Death of Death in Cryonics $1.00 The Prospect of hnmortality $11.00 Many Are Cold But Few Are Frozen: A Humanist Man Into Superman $14.00 Looks at Cryonics $2.00 Great Mambo Chicken & the Transhuman Condition $18.95 A Stunning Legal Victory $2.00 The 120-Year Diet $5.95 What You Can Do $9.00 The Tomorrow Makers $18.95 Reviving Cryonics Patients $7.00 hnmortality, Scientifically, Now $11.95 llie Insurers at Risk? $2.00 Slide Presentation: Suspension Members $200. Brochures All Others $350. Alcor llie Extension Foundation $0.75 Why Cryonics Can Work $0.25 Gift Items

Alcor T-Shirt, Size: ___ $12.00 Articles and Reprints Alcor Sweatshirt, Size: ___ $17.00 AlcorMug· $6.00 Why We Are Cryonicists Free AlcorPatch $5.00 Alcor: The Origin of Our Name Free Alcor Bumper Sticker $2.00 Technical Case Report: Neurosuspension Lapel Pin $5.00 of Alcor Patient $3.00 Tie Clasp $5.00 The Journey Begins: Alcor Member Enters Biostasis $2.00 Hat Pin/Broach/Stick Pin $5.00 The Scientific Validity of Cryonic Suspension: A Bibliography $3.00 Long-Time Alcor Member Enters Biostasis $2.00 Total The Cryobiological Case For Cryonics $2.00 Mathematical Analysis of Recirculating The literature above can be ordered by using this form, or by telephone Perfusion Systems, With Application with Mastercard or Visa by calling Alcor: 1-800-367-2228 (toll free). to Cryonic Suspension $2.50 Declarations by Scientists in Support of Narne ______Kent vs. Carrillo $20.00 Case Report: Two Consecutive Suspensions $3.00 Address ______Mathematical Models of Perfusion Processes $5.00 Postmortem Examination of Three City------State __ Zip ___ Cryonic Suspension Patients $3.00 Telephone:------Heat Flow in The Cryonic Suspension of Humans $2.50 Histological Study of a Temporarily Cryopreserved Human $3.00 Visa/Mastercard#:------Calcium Blockers Given After CPR May Expiration Date: ____ Save Brains Denied Blood up to 1 Hour $0.50 Viability of Long-Term Frozen Cat Brain $0.50 Signature: ------Cell Repair Technology $2.00 How Cold is Cold Enough? $1.25 Please pay by check, money order, or credit card. Misadventure as a Cause of Death in Overseas orders require an additi.onallO% (of total) for shipping. an Inunortal Population $1.25 ALCOR, 12327 Doherty Street, Riverside, CA 92503 Meetings and Announcements

Meeting Schedules Alcor business meetings are usually held on the first Sunday of the month (July, Aug., & Sept.: 2nd Sunday). Guests are welcome. Unless otherwise noted, meet­ The Alcor New York Group meets on the third Sunday of each month at 2:00 ings start at 1 PM. For meeting directions, or if you get lost, call Alcor at (714) PM. Ordinarily, the meeting is at 72nd Street Studios. The address is 131 West 736-1703 and page the technician on call. 72nd Street (New York), between Columbus and Broadway. Ask for the Alcor group. Subway stop: 72nd Street, on the 1, 2, or 3 trains. If you're in CT, NJ, or The SUN, JAN 3 meeting will be at the: NY, call Gerard Arthus for details at (516) 689-6160, or , at Sheraton-Cerritos Hotel (516) 589-4256. 12725 Centercourt Dr., Cerritos, CA 310-809-1500 Meeting dates: Jan.17, Feb. 21, Mar. 21, Aprll18.

Directions: Take the 91 Freeway, between the 605 and I-5 Freeways, to the New York's members are working aggressively to build a solid emergency Bloomfield Exit. Go south on Bloomfield to Towncenter Dr. and turn left. Go to response capability. We have full state-of-the-art rescue equipment, and four Centercourt Dr. and turn right. Alcor Certified Techs and four State Certified EMTs.

The SUN, FEB 7 meeting will be at the home of: The Alcor New York Stabilization Training Sessions are on the second and Linda Abrams fourth Sundays of every month, at 2:30PM, at the home of Gerry Arthus. The 856 N. Harper, Los Angeles, CA address is: 335 Horse Block Rd., Farmingville, L.I. For details call Curtis or Gerry at the above number. Directions: Harper Ave. is parallel to and between Fairfax and La Cienega in the West Hollywood area. 856 N. Harper is between Melrose Ave. and Santa Monica Blvd., on the corner of Harper and Willoughby. Take Fairfax or La Cienega north from I-1 0, or Santa Monica east from the 405 or west from the Hollywood freeway. (From the San Fernando Valley, take Laurel Canyon Blvd. south.) Alcor Indiana has a newsletter and a full local rescue kit, and two of the mem­ bers have taken the Alcor Transport course. If you are interested and in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, or Michigan, the Indiana group meets in Indianapolis on the second Sunday of each month, at 2:00PM. Call Steve Bridge at (317) 359-7260, or Richard Shock at (317) 872-3066 (days) or (317) 769-4252 (eves) There is an Alcor chapter in the San Francisco Bay area. Its members are ag­ for further information. gressively pursuing an improved rescue and suspension capability in that area. Meetings are generally held on the second Sunday of the month, at 4 PM, fol­ lowed by a potluck. Meeting locations can be obtained by calling the chapter's Secretary, Lola McCrary, at (408) 238-1318 or (E-mail) [email protected]. There is a cryonics discussion group in the Boston area meeting on the second The SUN, JAN 10 meeting will be held at the home of: Sunday each month at 3:00PM. Further information may be obtained by contact­ Ralph Merkle and Carol Shaw ing Walter Vannini at (603) 595-8418 (home) or (617) 647-2291 (work). 1134 Pimento Ave. Sunnyvale, CA

After the business meeting and potluck there will be an Introduction to Cryonics talk at 7 PM, followed by a question and answer period. A! cor Nevada is in the Las Vegas area. Their meetings are on the second Sunday of each month at 1:00PM in the Riverside Casino in Laughlin, Nevada. Free Directions: Take US 85 through Sunnyvale and exit going East on Fremont to rooms are available at the Riverside Casino on Sunday night to people who call Mary. Go left on Mary to Ticonderoga. Go right on Ticonderoga to Pimento. at least one week in advance. Directions: Take 95 south from Las Vegas, through Turn left on Pimento to 1134 Pimento Ave. Henderson, where it forks between 95 and 93. Bear right at the fork and stay on 95 past Searchlight until you reach the intersection with 163, a little before the The SUN, FEB 14 meeting will be held at the home of: border with California. Go left on 163 and stay on it until you see signs for Leonard Zubkoff and Lola McCrary Laughlin. You can't miss the Riverside Casino. For more information, call Eric 3078 Sulphur Spring Court Klien at (702) 255-1355. San Jose, CA Tel: (408) 238-1318

The business meeting will start at 4 p.m., and the potluck around 6 p.m. There is a an Alcor chapter in England, with a full suspension and laboratory Directions: Take 101 south past the 880 and 280/680 junctions to the Capitol facility south of London. Its members are working aggressively to build a solid Expressway exit, (third exit past the 280/680 junction). Take Capitol Expressway emergency response, transport, and suspension capability. Meetings are held on East (back over 101) toward the San Jose foothills. Go right on Aborn Road the first Sunday of the month at the A! cor UK facility, and may include classes (second traffic light; there is a Red Lobster on the corner where you need to and tours. The meeting commences at 11:00 A.M., and ends late afternoon. turn). Go left on White Road (third traffic light; White is to the left and San Felipe is to the right at this intersection). Go right on Stevens Lane, which is the Meeting dates: Jan. 3, Feb. 7, Mar. 7, April 4. next traffic light. Go down Stevens, past the stop sign, and then take Mount The address of the facility is: Isabel, (second street on the right after going through the stop sign). Turn left Alcor UK, 18 Potts Marsh Estate, Westham, East Sussex onto Sulphur Spring Court, which is the next street. 3078 is the second house on Telephone: 0323-460257 the right. Directions: From Victoria Station, catch a train for Pevensey West Ham railway NOTE: Leonard's house is definitely not child-proof; in fact, the proliferation of station. When you arrive at Pevensey West Ham tum left as you leave the station equipment, connecting cables, and tools should probably be considered and the road crosses the railway track. Carry on down the road for a couple of child-hostile. I have no objection to children visiting, but their parents must be hundred yards and Alcor UK is on the trading estate on your right. Victoria Sta­ prepared to supervise them adequately so that no accidents occur. tion has a regular train shuttle connection with Gatwick airport and can reached from Heathrow airport via the amazing London Underground tube or subway system.

People coming for AUK meetings must phone ahead- or else you're on your Alcor's Southern California chapter meets every other month. The next own, the meeting may have been cancelled, moved, etc etc. For this information, scheduled meeting is on January 11, 1993, and will be hosted by Mike Darwin, call Alan Sinclair at 0323 488150. For those living in or around metropolitan who will be giving a tour of his research facility. This will be an exciting oppor­ London, you can contact Garret Smyth at 081- 789-1045, or Russell Whitaker at tunity to see what goes on in a cryonics research .facility .. Please c~ll ~hapter 071- 702-0234. president Billy Seidel at 310-836-1231 for carpool mformat10n and directtons. If you are not on our mailing list, call Billy Siedel at the above number. Alcor Life Extension Foundation Non-Profit Organization 12327 Doherty Street U.S. POSTAGE PAID Riverside, CA 92503 Permit No. 11 Portland, OR 97208 FORWARDING AND RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

For information on cryonics call Alcor: 1-800-367-2228 (toll-free, non-members only) or 1-714-736-1703 (members). E-mail: [email protected]