358 replies to this topic

[David Styles]

hehe I guess I apologize, really, for my punctuality problems due mostly to a chronic problem with low energy, and when I see you guys working so hard, I feel like I should explain my slackerdom! Sorry this is also a personality flaw of mine!

No need whatsoever to answer this question here, but assuming you mean a medical condition, do you know what causes your chronic low energy? Whatever it is, LEF probably has something to cure it. Are you a member of LEF? If so, you should call the health advisor team free of charge and see what they recommend. Or at the very least consult the legendary "Big Yellow Book". It is my self-treatment bible, and I consult it whenever I have my annual brush with illness (last year I had conjunctivitis, cured it in a day, the year before that gingivitis, cured it in about three days, you get the idea).

[David Styles]

So David I suppose I should get Steven Spielberg's contact information and if you can give me your email address either here or in PM I can give add you to the edit list for the VIP's in google docs!

I "apologize" if I asked you for this again

I am fairly sure that my main email address - ds@cryonics-uk.com - is set up to use google services, despite it not being a gmail account. Please try adding me on that; if it doesn't work, I guess I can make a gmail account like everyone has been asking me to for a very long time.

[brokenportal]

You could consider moving the list to the imminst wiki if you want, at imminst.org/wiki.

So if theres no major feedback on the letter to Musk Ill send it out here soon, probably monday.

[David Styles]

My edited version is found at the bottom of this post. I include your original for reference. As you can see, most of my edits have been to remove things that I thought could be removed and still leave the main thrust of your letter intact. All edits have been for style only, except for one. I deleted the line about asking Jacque Fresco to come on the show. It does nothing to make someone feel special to say "We asked these other people as well". The recipient may start to feel like they are receiving a mass-mailing. So I got rid of that line for strategic reasons. The rest is only edits for style.

I'm collaborating with Lauren to see if we can perfect a letter here is my rough draft to Spielberg with my version alone first.

Dear Mr. Spielberg,

Ever since I saw your film AI I realized that you clearly have an interest in a field that many of us at our organization, imminst.org, also have a vested interest in, which is, if and when artificial intelligence could bring about what some now call a technological Singularity. That is a further out concept but we could use your expertise in something more managable today, which is defeating the aging process in humans.

I'm writing to you on behalf of our charitable organization imminst.org which focuses on research and advocacy into unlimited lifespans, or to put simply, anti-aging technologies that will allow us to live 50, 100, even hundreds of years more than we currently do.

We here at imminst, help with issuing research grants as well as help with gathering a pool of scientists and other thinkers together in close nit communities all working on the conquest of defeating aging. In light of this I have sent out out book called SCOD.

Our biggest task, perhaps, is not the complexity of the technicalities of defeating death. It is helping people to understand that it is an achievable goal, and worth pursuing.

I'm writing this letter in hopes of interesting you in this cause of all causes. You may have heard of Dr. Aubrey De Grey and his SENS Foundation which is working on defeating the aging process from a unique engineering perspective. Aubrey De Grey has been featured with Dr. Sanjay Gupta on a half hour CNN spot focusing on pro-longevity as well as several other mainstream programs, and is a rising star who we believe could lead the way to defeating the aging process in humans.

We also want to invite you to be interviewed on our small, but growing show, the Sunday Evening Update. It includes news and views on the world of life extension. We have had many bigger name entrepreneurs, thinkers, inventors and the like on in the show in the past. You may have heard of Drs.Terry Gross man and Ronald Klatz for example. We have recently gotten in touch with futurist and social engineer Jacque Fresco about doing the show.

Some questions we might ask you on the show include: Do you consider life extension as a key area of concern for humanities welfare? What do you think of artifical intelligence bringing on a technological singularity? And many more questions.

You can, of course reach me at,

(David Styles address)

Contact details to go
here in a little block,
albeit justified to the
right rather than the
left as befits a letter


Dear Mr. Spielberg,

When I saw your film "AI", I realized that you clearly have an interest in a field in which our organization - The Immortality Institute - also has a vested interest: if and when artificial intelligence could bring about what some now call a technological Singularity. That is a distant concept but we could use your expertise in something more managable today, which is defeating the aging process in humans.

I'm writing to you on behalf of our charitable organization, which focuses on research and advocacy into anti-aging technologies that will allow us to live 50, 100, or even hundreds of years more than we currently do.

We here at ImmInst help with issuing research grants as well as gathering a pool of scientists and other thinkers together on the conquest of aging. In light of this I have sent you a copy of our book, "The Scientific Conquest Of Death".

Our biggest task, perhaps, is not the the technicalities of defeating death. It is helping people to understand that it is an achievable goal and worth pursuing.

I'm writing this letter in hopes of interesting you in this cause of all causes. You may have heard of Dr. Aubrey de Grey and his SENS Foundation which is working on defeating the aging process from a unique engineering perspective. Dr. de Grey has been featured with Dr. Sanjay Gupta from MIT on a half hour CNN spot focusing on pro-longevity as well as several other mainstream programs, and is a rising star who we believe could lead the way to defeating the aging process in humans.

We also want to invite you to be interviewed on our small but growing show, the Sunday Evening Update. It includes news and views on the world of life extension. We have had many bigger name entrepreneurs, thinkers, inventors and the like on in the show in the past. You may have heard of Drs. Terry Grossman and Ronald Klatz, for example.

Some questions we might ask you on the show include: Do you consider life extension as a key area of concern for humanities welfare? What do you think of artifical intelligence bringing on a technological singularity? Of course there are a number avenues down which this could be taken.

We'd love to take this further with you. Should you be amenable to this, you can reach me at the above contact details.

Eternally,

David Styles
Immortality Institute

Edited by David Styles, 23 January 2010 - 11:34 PM.

[David Styles]

I think that letter sounds just great go ahead and send it

Excellent. The post office is closed now; I will therefore post the letter first thing in the morning (and I will order the book for him immediately upon doing that, again, first thing tomorrow morning). Bear in mind that first thing tomorrow morning for me is tonight for you guys.

I neglected to mention this at the time, but for the purposes of clear communication, I just thought I ought to confirm that I did action this and the letter and book are both sent to Mr. Mortensen.

[bacopa]

Really nice edits David, very well worded...and thanks!

[bacopa]

David what do you think about phone contacting the Harvard Humanist Association? They were just featured in a spot on ABC as I listed in our multimedia forum.

The Chaplain's name is Greg Epstein and here is the link to the only phone contact I found... http://harvardhumani...o...s&Itemid=37

I emailed them twice and I'm waiting to see if I can get through this time. I didn't outright invite them, I mostly just asked them, "what do you think, opinions on transhumanism and life extension kind of thing.

Edited by dfowler, 25 January 2010 - 04:04 AM.

[bacopa]

This is off thread, but you guys would really love Ricky Gervais's movie, Invention of Lying. It totally puts religion, God, the notion of an afterlife, and people's reactions to these things in their proper place! Plus it's a hilarious film.

[David Styles]

David what do you think about phone contacting the Harvard Humanist Association? They were just featured in a spot on ABC as I listed in our multimedia forum.

The Chaplain's name is Greg Epstein and here is the link to the only phone contact I found... http://harvardhumani...o...s&Itemid=37

I emailed them twice and I'm waiting to see if I can get through this time. I didn't outright invite them, I mostly just asked them, "what do you think, opinions on transhumanism and life extension kind of thing.

I'd be delighted.

I'll do that when I get home this evening (which will conveniently be daytime in America).

Edited by David Styles, 25 January 2010 - 12:50 PM.

[bacopa]

cool tell me if you get a machine or live human being, and the results of your call....thanks so much!

[brokenportal]

Alright, I got SCOD sent out to Elon Musk, and the letter.

Calling is a great idea. We'll continue recruiting for callers. We could use 2 or 3 from different areas of the world. Remember all, any who may be reading this, we are recruiting more general outreach team members too, letter writing, editing, book buying, etc...

When I was digging up Elons address, your not going to beleive this, maybe you will.. he sits on a board with Steven Speilberg. Is it just me or is that an interesting coincidence? Bill Nye is their Vice President. The world cant seem to get any smaller. That reminds me, I was listening to a copy of "Crowdsourcing" on audio the other day, and they quoted our Director here Scott Miller. In a video game industry context, not an imminst context.

Oh by the way, I rented the Invention of Lying today, I was thinking I might watch it anyways, but I was prompted because you say that it has this anti religious twist.

[bacopa]

That is indeed a coincidence. As for the movie, if you like Ricky Gervais's kind of English absurd let's look at all the foolish humans humor, then you will like this movie!

[bacopa]

David, the Harvard Humanists have not gotten back to me after I think 3 tries. I wonder if they're just set in their ways. I would find it hard to think that humanists would shod off Transhumanism, as it is really more humanistic in it's pursuit of end of life suffering. I'm starting to get annoyed by their unresponsiveness. Have you given a go at the phone call yet?

[David Styles]

cool tell me if you get a machine or live human being, and the results of your call....thanks so much!

I've not reported on this as I've not yet been able to get in touch; I will however persevere.

[David Styles]

David, the Harvard Humanists have not gotten back to me after I think 3 tries. I wonder if they're just set in their ways. I would find it hard to think that humanists would shod off Transhumanism, as it is really more humanistic in it's pursuit of end of life suffering. I'm starting to get annoyed by their unresponsiveness. Have you given a go at the phone call yet?

I've not been able to speak with them yet. I will persevere.

Could you kindly convey to me what you've sent and when? This way the left hand knows what the right hand is doing

Many thanks.

Edited by David Styles, 27 January 2010 - 03:03 PM.

[bacopa]

David, the Harvard Humanists have not gotten back to me after I think 3 tries. I wonder if they're just set in their ways. I would find it hard to think that humanists would shod off Transhumanism, as it is really more humanistic in it's pursuit of end of life suffering. I'm starting to get annoyed by their unresponsiveness. Have you given a go at the phone call yet?

I've not been able to speak with them yet. I will persevere.

Could you kindly convey to me what you've sent and when? This way the left hand knows what the right hand is doing

Many thanks.

When we first contacted Harvard Humanist, way back when, (sorry I forget the month) I invited them to the Sunday Evening Update and wondered what their views were. This time I just asked casually what they thought of healthy life extension.

I don't think it would hurt to write a longer email as well as a phone spheel asking them if they would be interested in learning more, doing Sunday update, and perhaps collaborating in some way...although traditional humanism is a totally different thing than H +, but maybe Greg Epstien, - who is the Chaplain - might really like the idea, I am guessing he just doesn't know much, if any about it.

I just think that by extending life we are being more humane than the humanists attempt at just accepting things...but I know you are well aware of this.

Edited by dfowler, 28 January 2010 - 01:44 AM.

[bacopa]

First week:
Select three celebrities
I already have a few ideas for this...

Second week: Acquire addresses and craft letters
Being swift about the former and thoughtful about the latter

Third week: Letters up for editing
Getting them polished

Fourth week: Send letters and book(s) at beginning of week - rest of week used as buffer and for any follow-up
With all due attention given to communication and efficiency

[David Styles]

Steven Spielberg
c/o Staff Member
DreamWorks SKG
1000 Flower St
Glendale, CA 91201
USA

one of his agents

Jay Baker
Creative Artists Agency (CAA-LA)
Agency
2000 Ave Of The Stars
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Phone: 424-288-2000

another one of his agents


Richard Lovett
Creative Artists Agency (CAA-LA)
Agency
2000 Ave Of The Stars
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Phone: 424-288-2000

I neglected to post here that I sent the letter in duplicate to the top two, and the book to the CAA address c/o Jay Baker. I didn't fancy sending it to an address c/o "Staff Member"

This I did on Thursday (last Thursday - letter should be there tomorrow; book sometime later).

Edited by David Styles, 03 February 2010 - 11:58 AM.

[bacopa]

Awesome...the trick, is figuring out when to make a follow up call. I'll do a meeting via Skype this week focusing on phone calls to VIP managers etc.

David, very sorrry if I asked before but can I get your Skype address?

The meeting will be held when I feel good enough, as I'm battling a bad cold. I'll give 2 days notice, at least.

[bacopa]

I'm thinking celebs like Ricky Gervais who is big and has obvious atheist tendencies as shown by Invention of Lying, which he wrote. And in the film he makes a huge point to focus on the horribleness of death, and well, I think he'd be very receptive to our cause, if we can get through, that is.

Other celebs, I think, if we can get them at a young and receptive age we have a good chance of getting through. So I'm hoping to work with you guys on figuring out targeting for young, up and coming celebs.

Then there are heads of atheist, non-believers, agnostics, humanist groups that may be receptive.

And the rest is up to you guys

[Nootropic Cat]

Hi guys, just wanted to add a few ideas you might want to consider at some point. Some people from in and around the world of poker:

Guy Laliberte (billionaire philanthropist)
Barry Greenstein (known as the Robin Hood of poker for his philanthropy)
Daniel Negreanu (huge media presence, well-known for his obsessively healthy lifestyle)

Also I found this list of philanthropists on wikipedia - doesn't look like there's anything revelatory there but might kick up one or two possibilities.

[brokenportal]

Alright, fantastic. So another successful month of outreach goals completed here. This topic is closed now. We'll file it for the books and move on to Fowlers February goals.

[brokenportal]

Fowler go with Gervais then.

Im going to write to a sociology professor this month.

The registered user thatperson is writing a producer of the tv series Lost.

TripleHelix, can we convince you to write to one of these poker guys that you think might be best for this month? You can send them a book about the cause, or we can see about getting you one sent. We have $200 approved here from the imminst budget toward this, but we want to stretch it out if we can.

Then Styles has a pick left and we can see what we can do for this month.


I like the energy that is picking up for this team a bit. Jason Silva plugged the concept at the last Sunday Evening Update imminst show. We have atleast one new member signed up to do an outreach this month. I made some preliminary calls to some of the publicists and organizations these people work for and it went alright. We've already gotten through to 2 of our contacts. The reviews Ive seen of Fowlers address source seem to confirm that most of these letters and books will be reaching their marks. Imminst continues to slowly but surely grow which lends well to the potential and sustenance for the future of this team. Styles donated some books too. We have a bit of money approved for this. The Sunday Evening Update is hanging in there and is showing signs of potentially growing. There are other things too. I like the energy.

[David Styles]

Hi guys, just wanted to add a few ideas you might want to consider at some point. Some people from in and around the world of poker:

Guy Laliberte (billionaire philanthropist)
Barry Greenstein (known as the Robin Hood of poker for his philanthropy)
Daniel Negreanu (huge media presence, well-known for his obsessively healthy lifestyle)

Also I found this list of philanthropists on wikipedia - doesn't look like there's anything revelatory there but might kick up one or two possibilities.

Then I'll happily do Daniel Negreanu, as it were.

Unless you want to do him (so to speak) rather than one of your poker people, in which case I'll happily choose someone else?

You realise we're primarily after celebrities getting people's attention with this, rather that donations per se?

Money is great, but getting information out there to change people's attitudes is priceless!

Edited by David Styles, 07 February 2010 - 12:48 PM.

[David Styles]

Hi guys, just wanted to add a few ideas you might want to consider at some point. Some people from in and around the world of poker:

Guy Laliberte (billionaire philanthropist)
Barry Greenstein (known as the Robin Hood of poker for his philanthropy)
Daniel Negreanu (huge media presence, well-known for his obsessively healthy lifestyle)

Also I found this list of philanthropists on wikipedia - doesn't look like there's anything revelatory there but might kick up one or two possibilities.

Hello, will you be writing a letter to be considered for sending to one or more of these?

I understand if you're not around online; it just means that if you haven't replied within about the next day, I'll pick someone as yet unmentioned here because I don't know what you're doing!

Thank you.

[bacopa]

David any luck with the Harvard Humanist group? They had a spot on an ABC news program and they seemed a good pick.

I'll craft a letter to Gervais, and make sure I put it in the letter template section.

[brokenportal]

What do you guys think of this for my months pick? Do you think this is a good angle to take? Is the wording alright? Can you suggest any tweaks or ad ons or adjustments?

Hello (Ill pick a sociology professor before sending.)

I work with Imminst, for Advocacy & Research for Unlimited Lifespans. We are a part of a Longevity Communities Network, in support of aging research, restoration and maintenance of function, and indefinite life extension. You've probably heard of the emerging convention and alternative of cryonics, or cryonically suspending people in liquid nitrogen upon legal death.

I'm sending you a free copy of a science fiction book called LifeQuest, written in part by the founders of the Alcor Life Extension Foundation. The book goes over a variety of social settings and scenarios involving cryonics. We want to try to entice more sociology teachers to consider going over cryonics from a sociology perspective with their students. So if this book interests you, then let us know if you are interested in obtaining more, which we may be able to send to you as a donation. If you are not interested, please keep this book complimentary of Imminst and thank you for considering.

We would also like to invite you to do an interview on our small ustream web show called the Sunday Evening Update, which can be found at www.imminst.org. We would be interested in going over your views on cyonics from a sociologists perspective.



Best of Regards,
Eric Schulke
Director
Imminst
email: support@imminst.org
phone:

[bacopa]

Just quickly I would imagine you'd get much further focusing more on what can be potentially done while we are still alive, and take a life extension primary angle. And I know you have these great books on you but I would think Ending Aging or our book would be a stronger sell.

But I think the pick is a great one and I wish you luck on getting him.

Portal I'm interested in other advocacy like informing the rest of the world through marketing and such...so if you could pm me that link...

[David Styles]

David any luck with the Harvard Humanist group? They had a spot on an ABC news program and they seemed a good pick.

I called twice and didn't get through, then got distracted by other endeavours.

Thanks for reminding me. It's just nearly two in the morning here right now, making it still a bit late in the evening for me to try again right now but I'll see if I can remember when it's daytime there.

I'll craft a letter to Gervais, and make sure I put it in the letter template section.

Great stuff. I look forward to seeing it.

[David Styles]

What do you guys think of this for my months pick? Do you think this is a good angle to take? Is the wording alright? Can you suggest any tweaks or ad ons or adjustments?

I do think it's a nice out-of-the-box idea.

All in all, great letter; you've done a brilliant job of keeping it short and sweet and still getting the most important information across.

Consequently, I have only a couple of tweaks for consideration:

I work with Imminst, for Advocacy & Research for Unlimited Lifespans. We are a part of a Longevity Communities Network, in support of aging research, restoration and maintenance of function, and indefinite life extension. You've probably heard of the emerging convention and alternative of cryonics, or cryonically suspending people in liquid nitrogen upon legal death

I'd add a "for example" to the end, lest it look like we're "just" pushing cryonics which is far from the case.

I'm sending you a free copy of a science fiction book called LifeQuest, written in part by the founders of the Alcor Life Extension Foundation. The book goes over a variety of social settings and scenarios involving cryonics. We want to try to entice more sociology teachers to consider going over cryonics from a sociology perspective with their students. So if this book interests you, then let us know if you are interested in obtaining more, which we may be able to send to you as a donation. If you are not interested, please keep this book complimentary of Imminst and thank you for considering.

This sounds like a brilliant thing awfully packaged. I'm sure it's an excellent book, but "LifeQuest" sounds new-agey at best, or like some cousin of "ElfQuest" at worst. I guess nothing much can be done about the title. We could at least find some better way of framing it than saying science-fiction, which invariably presents a bad image. I'm not sure what though; perhaps say speculative fiction instead of science fiction? I think that'd make the sentence, and thus the book, much better received, possibly?

We would also like to invite you to do an interview on our small ustream web show called the Sunday Evening Update, which can be found at www.imminst.org. We would be interested in going over your views on cyonics from a sociologists perspective.

That's great. I especially like how you've made it sound not at all scary; as while big stars would hardly be afraid of a little interview, others might often be put off, and you've made it sound very small, friendly, and manageable (which it is, but it's nice to be able to frame it however it's required).