November 2009
Message from the Executive
Director:
After several years of successful
advocacy for unlimited lifespans and indirect support of research (through
the F@H prize and student scholarships), the Immortality Institute finally
began direct funding of life extension research in 2009 (Laser
Ablation of Lipofuscin).
In addition to this, a long-time
Institute member recently donated $5,000 dollars for the establishment of
an Imminst research endowment. Lastly, the constitutional revisions being
contemplated (see below) might include a clause to spend a specific
percentage of yearly revenue on life extension
research.
Undoubtedly, these moves will lead to numerous grant
requests arriving at the Imminst doorstep. This represents a great
opportunity for Imminst members and forum participants to shape progress
of life extension efforts in years to come. Great care must be taken to
evaluate which research ideas offer the most to gain in the battle against
aging and disease and I invite all members to participate in this process.
Stay tuned.
Justin 'Mind'
Loew
NEWS
COMMUNITY FUNDING
--------------------
Laser Ablation of Lipofuscin Research has begun! Nason Schooler has the
equipment set up and will be testing laser effectiveness on worms during
the month of November and beyond. Follow
the latest research developments here
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
--------------------
Imminst is governed by a constitution that defines our common mission
and lays out the ways decisions are made. When the constitution was
drafted in 2002, it was a surprisingly ambitious document and –with some
minor additions and amendments– it has provided ImmInst with a robust
framework for growth and development.
Now, the time has come to review
the constitution – to incorporate lessons learned and to adjust it to the
changed requirements of a bigger and more mature organisation. Changes
could extend to the way decisions are made, the roles and responsibilities
of leadership and rules guiding conduct in the forums.
For some
months, the proposed changes have been
discussed in the member’s forums. Now, all members are invited to
comment on an advanced draft. At the end of this process, there will be a
full referendum on the changes.
VOLUNTEER PRIZE WINNERS Â
--------------------
Late this Summer Imminst created
an incentive program for volunteers. Each month a top volunteer will
be chosen to receive a prize valued at approximately $20.00. Prizes range
from an Imminst t-shirt to any recommended book at the Imminst store to a donation in
their name to a life extension-related charity.
- August Winner: b0gger
B0gger
has been tremendous in helping the Digg.com section of the internetworking
team. He finds articles about life extension and enters them in
Digg. He then lists them all in a sub-forum
of Imminst so that more people can easily “Diggâ€