I agree with many of Paul's comments, including where he states:

> One that I must point out here will make any knowledgeable person
> shake hir head and immediately dismiss the intelligence of all
> cryonicists. It is the following:
>
> "[Some cryonicists] are environmentalists who ... are happy that no
> electricity is used to upkeep their preserved remains (only liquid
> nitrogen), and that their carbon footprint is only pennies each year."

Upon reading the above, quoted statement of yours, Shannon, about
cryonicists being environmentalists I became a bit concerned. I don't
think that kind of generalization is appropriate. I think you may be
using this statement as a way to appeal to as wide of an audience as
possible (here, trying to appeal to environmentalists). Perhaps it is
useful to "cut environmentalists off at the pass" with the statement
about the upkeep of preservation being low. However, when I read it it
seemed like a desperate attempt to appeal to more people. Perhaps it
could be re-worded to show its benefits without sounding this way?
Another example: you use "pennies" to measure a carbon-footprint. I am
not familiar with industry terms, but are carbon-footprints measured
in pennies? Aren't they measured in CO2 or something similar?

However, I *have* signed this petition, and have sent an invitation to
several acquaintances urging them to do the same. Thanks for working on
this Shannon. Many of us may benefit from this someday.

---
Steve Floyd

--- In morelife@yahoogroups.com, "shannonvyff" <shannonvyff@...> wrote:
>
> Here is a petition I created at Care2 to show support of cryonics --
> definitely a possible chance at more life, even if it is a small chance,
> I hope everyone will take a moment to sign and possibly give a comment:
>
>
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/preserve-the-right-of-those-who-are-dying-to-
> choose-cryonics
>
> [Here is a tiny URL for those who have trouble with the above long URL.
> http://tinyurl.com/6qorq6
>
> I am making the following immediate comments, because to not do so
> would confuse the reader and suggest that I and Kitty are supportive
> of Shannon's project *as it is*.
>
> What Shannon has written at the above URL is hardly a petition (an
> earnest request; a formal written request addressed to an official
> person or organized body), but rather a description of what cryonics
> is, why people choose it, what value it can be and that it does others
> no harm. However, it contains several errors of fact and implication,
> which greatly lessen its value.
>
> One that I must point out here will make any knowledgeable person
> shake hir head and immediately dismiss the intelligence of all
> cryonicists. It is the following:
>
> "[Some cryonicists] are environmentalists who ... are happy that no
> electricity is used to upkeep their preserved remains (only liquid
> nitrogen), and that their carbon footprint is only pennies each year."
>
> Only in the very last paragraph is there any request that anyone do
> anything (actually refrain from doing). A petition should always begin
> with something like:
>
> "We, the undersigned, hereby request (list names or organizations) to
> do or not do (list of requested actions)."
>
> After such a beginning there can be descriptions of the terms used in
> the request and presentations of the reasons for granting the request.
>
> However, I disagree that a petition is the correct or best method for
> communicating these ideas and gaining the desire effect. Still I
> suppose that it is somewhat beneficial for more information promoting
> cryonics, of whatever form, to be on the Internet in various places.
--Paul]
>
>
> I will be at Convergence08 this weekend http://www.convergence08.org/ .
> I hope to see any of you in the San Francisco area there :-) I'll be
> passing out information for the Venturists, CI, Alcor and Immortality
> Institute (as well as have some of my books for any of you with young
> children you'd like to teach transhumanist ideas to ;-) ). But I always
> love to chat about Calorie Restriction, supplements and my views of
> exercise as well :-).
>
> Take care,
>
> Health, Happiness, Wisdom & Longevity :-)
> -- best wishes from... Austin, Texas
>
> --Shannon Vyff
> "21st Century Kids"
> http://www.amazon.com/21st-Century-Kids-Shannon-Vyff/dp/1886057001