This is a great project, and something I am really looking forward to attending. I hope I will have managed to save a sum for that journey.
The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning toward creating a totally online event from the start to help with the problem of travel and expense.
Also, there are quite a few organizations that do a great job with hosting physical events (WTA, Alcor, Forseight.. etc). ImmInst may find a niche in creating excellent online conference events. Our future is virtual and networked, is it not?
Maybe we should begin to gather suggestions to who we might invite as speakers. I personally would like to hear from Ray Kuzweil. He's ideas and writings is a great inspiration for me. Once again, I suggest taking contact to some of the researchers competing for The Methuselah Mouse Prize (MMP) and I am certain some of the volunteers of the MMP would love to participate.
It's interesting to see Ray making virtual appearances to conferences rather than actually attending now days.. I suspect he may be interested in attending an ImmInst online conference if done well, eventually.
Regarding the topic. "How Long is too Long to Live?" I personally think this question is unfair, since no one in my opinion has the right to decide that. It is of course ok to argue to ones own believes. Maybe we should change the question to "How long could we live?" or as the name of the conference suggest "Why Die?". I think that is a great name.
Great suggestion as "How long is too long" is rather unfair sounding.. if not at least negative in tone... I think I was thinking of Leon Kass in writing it.. and how we should fight his suggestion.. but may see it as you see it.
I have some questions to.
1. What should the cost be to participate as an observer?
2. How many observers is there room for?
3. Do one have to reserve a space to participate?
4. Is there a pool of cash one can donate to for this project?
5. Is the date final or just an estimate?
Uh, I almost can't wait
As I'm seriously leaning now toward the online conference, I'll leave these excellent questions on the table to be answered if there's an up swell of support for a physical conference as opposed to online.
I'm currently discussing the details of an online conference with fellow ImmInst leaders, and will have more toward that end soon.