55 replies to this topic

[bacopa]

Dear Richard Dawkins,

We are with the non-profit group called imminst.org, short for the immortality institute. Our focus is on advocacy and research into unlimited lifespans,. Being a proponent of free thought and atheism we thought the burgeoning science of radical life extension may interest you. We here at imminst, would like to give you some interesting books on the subject of radical life extension, and Cryonics, which are two of imminst's main focus areas. We would be honored and privileged if you could attend one of our Sunday evening talk updates, here at imminst.org.

Enclosed:

1. The Scientific Conquest of Death, (an overview of many issues surrounding the topic of conquering death)
2. 21st Century Kids, (written to explain cryonics to kids, sort of like Daddy Day, Daughter Day was written to help with pain of divorce)
3. Ending Aging, (what is being done to end aging and how it most likely can be accomplished)
4. The Prospect of Immortality, (a classic introduction to cryonics)

We here at imminst have ties to many organizations that are doing vital research into trying to slow down, halt, or even reversing the aging process in humans. We hope you will look at some of the books we provided that go into more detail on how this can be done. Some of the most promising research is being done at the SENS foundation, with Aubrey De Grey. We wouldn't doubt that you are already aware of SENS Foundation and Aubrey De Grey's unique vision. The book, Ending Aging, we provided, goes into his ideas in much more detail.

We wanted to also bring to your attention the importance of Cryonics. This technology has obviously been around for decades, but so few people seem to be interested in signing up, and doing it. We were wondering your thoughts on Cryonics, and whether you think there is a reasonable chance of it working.

There is a lot of information at the Cryonics Institute website and Alcor website. http://www.cryonics.org/refs.html and http://www.alcor.org/

Feel free to contact me with any questions, I am an enthusiast myself and believe that human life extension and Cryonics will play a vital role in many of our lives very soon.

Best of luck with your show Real Time!

Devon Fowler

Edited by dfowler, 19 July 2009 - 03:18 PM.

[Shannon Vyff]

Devon, I'll write one with some humor in it--I watched Bill Maher live last week here in Austin

[Shannon Vyff]

The Dawkins letter can be serious, and should have a shout out to atheism, or at least not being influenced by religion in our ways of viewing the world and applying what we as humans feel is necessary for our optimal survival.

[Shannon Vyff]

I'm waiting on the set of books I ordered (my library is in storage ) --and I'll get the package out to Larry King .

[bacopa]

I'm waiting on the set of books I ordered (my library is in storage ) --and I'll get the package out to Larry King .

Awesome Shannon! I'll continue to work on the Dawkins letter. Maybe you can combine my letter to Maher with some of your ideas, or just do your own letter if you think it would be better.

[brokenportal]

Alright now, interesting promising progress so far. Im wondering what you might do to structure this a bit more.

What do you think about starting a monthly topic. Say on August 1rst you post a topic that says something like, "August 2009 VIP Outreach goal work topic."

Then go through the suggestions in the VIP outreach team sub forum, and use your own ideas and judgement to write in 3 people that you want to contact for that month. Then if Shannon is fairly sure she can commit to writing 3 new letters for you once each month then take those three letters and send them out. Other wise, copy her format for new ones, I can copy the format for you if you want to also. Ask me at that time. Also, any writers out there that may be reading this, please feel free to step forward to help with this, we need you. But Fowler, dont fret and sweat the details to much. Just write them. This reminds me of a quote that goes something like, "Its more important to do it than to get it perfect." or I guess like the most popular version of it, Nike says, "Just do it." or as another great quote says, "Sometimes you just have to jump and build your wings on the way down."

If you have books, do books, if you dont then do the SEU hook, or try both if you want. Also of course personalize them where neccessary. For example if one lives near the upcoming SENS conference, then offer them free tickets to it or something like that. If you write to t nation then you could ask them if we could include an article about the cause in their magazine, etc..

Also send an email. Use yours, mine, or a new version, but dont fret on the details to much. Once you get 3 for August written in to a topic like that, if you do it that way, and you have 3 letters from Shannon, me, another person that steps forward, or yourself written, then send whatever email version you think is best that you currently have at that time.

I would send them all out on the same day so you can time it. Then call them all say, I dont know, what seems best? 5 days later? Odds are the emails wont be read, the phone numbers wont work or will lead to answering machines of indifferent secretaries, and the letters will be discarded as junk mail, but if a few books get through they will be sitting around on more shelves which will be good, and you are bound to get through to a few with letters, and then still a few more via email and phone.

In the mean time, put out a treasure chest request for somebody to send you as many copies of those 5 books that Shannon mentioned that they want to. I would try to get around 6 copies of each to start with.

[bacopa]

Ok, I'll start a new topic collaborating all the ideas about who we should contact etc.

I'll write three more snail mail letters and pass it by you and Shannon.

I will personalize the letters when I see fit, particularly if they live around any LE communities.

Dealing with some new health problems, but I'll be sure to get the new page, with 3 new contacts, and new letters done by Aug 1.

Brad Pitt has mentioned in a recent interview that he is an agnositc/atheist. Maybe he would be a good next contact.

[bacopa]

Ok, I'll start a new topic collaborating all the ideas about who we should contact etc.

I'll write three more snail mail letters and pass it by you and Shannon.

I will personalize the letters when I see fit, particularly if they live around any LE communities.

Dealing with some new health problems, but I'll be sure to get the new page, with 3 new contacts, and new letters done by Aug 1.

Brad Pitt has mentioned in a recent interview that he is an agnositc/atheist. Maybe he would be a good next contact.

[brokenportal]

Alright, that sounds great. Remember to keep it simple. Specify them by monthly 3 person goals. So the topic should be a simple explanation. Then later create a response with the 3 people you choose for that month. Then later when you have the three personalized snail mail letters complete then post them in the topic. If I were you, to keep it simple, I would use the same standard detailed email for all of them. Then the next day, barring any good objections, comments, print them out and mail them. Then five days after that make the calls and report on your outcomes in that topic. Then start another topic at the beginning of the next month and do it again.

[brokenportal]

When you call, or when whoever you get to call calls, then for a phone pitch, to brainstorm I would say the talking points might look like this:

Hi, is this [VIP]? Can you put me in touch with them? (whether its the VIP or the agent or somebody, then go on with something like:) I work with the cause for the Advocacy & Research for Unlimited Lifspans. We recently sent you a [book(s)] and/or [inquired about an interview with you on our "Sunday Evening Update" show].

Did you get this package, can we schedule an interview? (If they show interest in scheduling an interview then ask them what a good time would be for Justin to call them.)

If they seem rushed then thank them for their time and tell them you look forward to hearing from them in the forums. If they dont seem rushed to get off the phone then just chit chat with them about the cause I guess. Answer their questions, ask questions, plug all the things you can that come up naturally, like maybe,

"well, you seem pretty interested in [CR, Cryonics, not dying, etc...] our forums are one of the most popular for discussing this around the net. As far as I know we are ranked as one of the top such sites in google. Can I convince you to sign up there right now? Ill send you a private message, find you right away and I can show you around a bit from there. This stuff is the most important stuff there is and we need people like you."

[Ben Simon]

Brad Pitt has mentioned in a recent interview that he is an agnositc/atheist. Maybe he would be a good next contact.

I don't get it.

I'm not trying to be antagonistic or turn this into a debate that belongs on the religion forum, but I think you're limiting yourself greatly if your criteria for appropriate persons to send this stuff to is that they be an atheist. I mean the head of the Methuselah Foundation is a devout Christian for crying out loud.

Edited by ben, 29 July 2009 - 01:46 PM.

[brokenportal]

Brad Pitt has mentioned in a recent interview that he is an agnositc/atheist. Maybe he would be a good next contact.

I don't get it.

I'm not trying to be antagonistic or turn this into a debate that belongs on the religion forum, but I think you're limiting yourself greatly if your criteria for appropriate persons to send this stuff to is that they be an atheist. I mean the head of the Methuselah Foundation is a devout Christian for crying out loud.

Well sure, I wouldnt exclude people that belong to religions, youll find many who will be for the cause for unlimited lifespans, but as far as one break down of a target crowd goes I would try to focus mainly on agnostics. If a good religious candidate for contact jumps out though we should put that person in the contact cycle.

[brokenportal]

Devon, To get this started, I think your letters to Dawkins and Maher will work well enough, and then also the letter that Shannon wrote for Larry King. How about if we do these three as soon as you get a hold of some books? I wish we could get this one done for July but I dont think that can happen, thats alright though. Unless you want to edit the book part out of for this round, until books get here for future rounds. Another thing is, four books apeice is going to get expensive. We should maybe cut it down to what feels best. Like one on a certain subject for so and so, two other books for others etc.. I guess you may as well set this one up for August. Type in an auguest goal topic, add Dawkins, Maher and King as the 3, add their letters. Add a copy of the email version. Wait till the books get here then send it all out and we'll go from there.

[Ben Simon]

Brad Pitt has mentioned in a recent interview that he is an agnositc/atheist. Maybe he would be a good next contact.

I don't get it.

I'm not trying to be antagonistic or turn this into a debate that belongs on the religion forum, but I think you're limiting yourself greatly if your criteria for appropriate persons to send this stuff to is that they be an atheist. I mean the head of the Methuselah Foundation is a devout Christian for crying out loud.

Well sure, I wouldnt exclude people that belong to religions, youll find many who will be for the cause for unlimited lifespans, but as far as one break down of a target crowd goes I would try to focus mainly on agnostics. If a good religious candidate for contact jumps out though we should put that person in the contact cycle.

Yes, but Brad Pitt has been added to the list simply because he is an atheist/agnostic. So like I said, I don't get it. How does that make him a candidate?

[Ben Simon]

I'll add one more thing, without trying to detour too far off topic. Any strategy that attempts to put life extension at odds with religion will likely be a disaster. Religious influence is one of the most proven and effective means of mobilising large groups of people ever conceived. In the years to come, anyone (whether they be religious, agnostic, atheist, whatever) who successfully manages to alienate religion from the life extension cause will be gambling with the lives of millions of people.

The good news is that, at least in so far as my own research indicates, religious objections to life extension are yet to materialise. We should be working very hard to make sure it stays that way.

Edited by ben, 30 July 2009 - 02:18 AM.

[bacopa]

Brad Pitt has mentioned in a recent interview that he is an agnositc/atheist. Maybe he would be a good next contact.

I don't get it.

I'm not trying to be antagonistic or turn this into a debate that belongs on the religion forum, but I think you're limiting yourself greatly if your criteria for appropriate persons to send this stuff to is that they be an atheist. I mean the head of the Methuselah Foundation is a devout Christian for crying out loud.

Ok, point well taken, it's just been my experience that atheists/agnostics tend to be more open to scientific interventions, but we certainly will not limit ourselves to just these people, and that was never my intention.

[bacopa]

I'll add one more thing, without trying to detour too far off topic. Any strategy that attempts to put life extension at odds with religion will likely be a disaster. Religious influence is one of the most proven and effective means of mobilising large groups of people ever conceived. In the years to come, anyone (whether they be religious, agnostic, atheist, whatever) who successfully manages to alienate religion from the life extension cause will be gambling with the lives of millions of people.

The good news is that, at least in so far as my own research indicates, religious objections to life extension are yet to materialise. We should be working very hard to make sure it stays that way.

I agree with everything you said about religion and life extension. We certainly WANT to get these people interested!

[bacopa]

Devon, To get this started, I think your letters to Dawkins and Maher will work well enough, and then also the letter that Shannon wrote for Larry King. How about if we do these three as soon as you get a hold of some books? I wish we could get this one done for July but I dont think that can happen, thats alright though. Unless you want to edit the book part out of for this round, until books get here for future rounds. Another thing is, four books apeice is going to get expensive. We should maybe cut it down to what feels best. Like one on a certain subject for so and so, two other books for others etc.. I guess you may as well set this one up for August. Type in an auguest goal topic, add Dawkins, Maher and King as the 3, add their letters. Add a copy of the email version. Wait till the books get here then send it all out and we'll go from there.

ok I will post the three letters in a new topic for Maher, King, and Dawkins. We still have to work on a good email version, and both you and me have written pretty good letters that could serve as an email.

I think we should limit the books as 5 is expensive and probably just too much info for your average VIP to read.

I will set this up for August. Ben made an excellent point, and I whole heartedly agree that we should NOT limit the list to just atheist and agonstics.

[brokenportal]

Alright, great, and use either or, mine or your letter for the email, brush them up a little but dont fret over that, dont let that hold you up. Expand on them and jam all the info into the email versions that you want. If they read the email, its likely because the snail mail prompted them to, and if thats the case then that means they are interested and will probably read an email even if its up to 2 pages long. I would try to keep it at 1 though.

We can improve these letters, take suggestions and revisions over time then. If Shannon or another good writer writes for you monthly then that will be even better.

Fowler, if we get books sent to you then can you cover the shipping costs to send them to the people? Thats how I would do it, unless you want to work that another way. Should we have them sent to the people straight from amazon? It seems to me that it would be better to have them arrive with the letter though.

[bacopa]

Alright, great, and use either or, mine or your letter for the email, brush them up a little but dont fret over that, dont let that hold you up. Expand on them and jam all the info into the email versions that you want. If they read the email, its likely because the snail mail prompted them to, and if thats the case then that means they are interested and will probably read an email even if its up to 2 pages long. I would try to keep it at 1 though.

We can improve these letters, take suggestions and revisions over time then. If Shannon or another good writer writes for you monthly then that will be even better.

Fowler, if we get books sent to you then can you cover the shipping costs to send them to the people? Thats how I would do it, unless you want to work that another way. Should we have them sent to the people straight from amazon? It seems to me that it would be better to have them arrive with the letter though.

Yes Shannon and me and perhaps you, will work on the letters. Yes I will be happy to pay for the shipping costs if need be.

[thatperson]

Hi, I'd like to register my interest for the team, i've spoken to eric and I'll be drafting a letter today

[David Styles]

Hi, I'd like to register my interest for the team, i've spoken to eric and I'll be drafting a letter today

Excellent!

Welcome to the team.

[bacopa]

thanks for joining the team!

[Evolutionary]

I'll like to join the team too, I can draft & edit letters, and brainstorm for VIPs to contact.

[bacopa]

Excellent welcome to the team!

[carlcrott]

at the suggestion of brokenportal im sigining up in here :D

currently I've got a draft for a letter to "the giving pledge" foundation

which is a foundation organized by bill and melinda gates to pull together the resources of the richest individuals out there ...


http://givingpledge.org/

check it

gates
zuckerberg
buffett
inchan

tycoons ... donating the majority of their money to charitable causes.