358 replies to this topic

[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.

I delayed because of this and consequently am running slightly late. I'll catch up promptly, of course, now that this thread is no longer visible to TripleHelix. I'll pick in the next day or so and get a draught out. Might be the guy he suggested, or another from the "Whom do you want ImmInst to contact" thread, or elsewhere.

[brokenportal]

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

Hmm, good idea. I was looking for a way to convey that more.

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?

I see that potentially overly science fictiony twinge on the name too. It reminds me of a book called Question Quest that I read once, which to my dismay turned out to be like a Dragon Lance book crossed with Pee Wees play house. This book is great though. Its not for every market, but Im quite certain it has a market, we are trying to find it, and when we do I dont forsee much resistence. I mean, a skilled salesmen could sell ice to an eskimo, so I cant forsee to much resistence to selling a real sociological phenomenon to teachers, especially sociology teachers. I could be wrong of course. We'll see. Heres another way to look at it, Scientologists, and Muslims, and Unitarian Universalists, and Methodists and all kinds of groups that are actually highly questionable and out there gain converts every day.

As for the word science fiction, thats a good idea. I was hesitant about that too. I think Ill go with something like, "The book is a collection of hypothetical and real life stories..." Well, Ill show you when I post the revision.

[brokenportal]

Revision I:

Good? Bad? Any other adjustment suggestions?

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 may have heard of one of the things we work with, 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 book written in part by the founders of the Alcor Life Extension Foundation. The book is a collection of hypothetical and real life stories that go 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/tv. 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: 1-715-344-4054

[David Styles]

Revision I:

Good? Bad? Any other adjustment suggestions?

Looks good to me, aside from a small typo in the last line; "a sociologists perspective" should be "a sociologist's perspective".

Aside from that, looks good to go to me.

[David Styles]

I delayed because of this and consequently am running slightly late. I'll catch up promptly, of course, now that this thread is no longer visible to TripleHelix. I'll pick in the next day or so and get a draught out. Might be the guy he suggested, or another from the "Whom do you want ImmInst to contact" thread, or elsewhere.

Just to keep you abreast of what I'm up to, I have an idea of a brilliant slant to take with Negreanu, and should be able to post for your editing perusal before the SEU tomorrow. As I say, this is all slightly late this month because of initially waiting, but not to worry; if I post tomorrow that still leaves a week for editing, then I send at the end of the week.

Obviously this means I must get his address between now and then, but I am confident I can do that.

[David Styles]

should be able to post for your editing perusal before the SEU tomorrow.

Well, my internet died on all devices except my mobile, so I wasn't able to post it before the SEU, but here it is the same evening at least:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________

David Styles (Director)
info@imminst.org
+44 7706 149 771

Dear Mr. Negreanu,

I'm writing to you on behalf of the Immortality Institute (for Advocacy and Research for Unlimited Lifespans), because of your intelligence and interests (manifestly good health, and making rational decisions).

I will not take up your time by going into the research side of things in this letter; instead I have sent you a free copy of our book "The Scientific Conquest of Death" for your perusal, should it interest you.

On the advocacy side of our work, one of the things we do is contact celebrities who may be interested in being interviewed for our web TV channel at www.imminst.org/tv.

You're well known for your dedication to good health and also your ability to make intelligent gambles; many people view investing energy into the creation of and pursuit of ways to avoid death as something of a gamble. We wonder if you'd be interested in airing your expert opinion in that regard, and / or chat with our host briefly on the topic of good health.

Really, what we most need is information reaching the public, and the public will tend to receive it better from a celebrity like yourself. Since you clearly excel in these areas, would you be interested in doing such an interview with us?

Please feel free to get in touch at your convenience to discuss our propsal and / or take it further with us, as we'd love to do.

Eternally,

David Styles
Director
Immortality Institute
www.imminst.org

[Agent]

If I may...

Please feel free to get in touch at your convenience to discuss our proposal and

[brokenportal]

Alright, Ive got this final draft here printed up and sent out with books to two sociologists, Arthur Shostak and Wendell Bell.

February 22, 2010

Hello Mr. Shostak


I work with Imminst, for Advocacy & Research of Unlimited Lifespans. We are a part of a Longevity Communities Network in support of aging research, and restoration and maintenance of function. You may have heard of one of the things we work with, 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 book written in part by the founders of the Alcor Life Extension Foundation. The book is a collection of hypothetical and real life stories that go over a variety of social settings and scenarios involving cryonics. We want to try to entice more sociology professors to consider going over cryonics from a sociology perspective with their students. So if this book interests you or a professor you know, 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/tv. We would be interested in going over your views on cryonics from a sociologist’s perspective.

Please feel free to get in touch at your convenience to discuss our proposal and / or take it further with us, as we'd love to do.




Best of Regards,
Eric Schulke
Director
Imminst
email: support@imminst.org
phone: 1-715-344-4054

[bacopa]

I will have the Gervais letter by tomorrow...we need to have a meeting about phone stuff soon...maybe this Sunday...I'll keep you all posted. In fact I'll set up a meeting for 7:00 pm EST for now...and I'll change if I have to.

Edited by dfowler, 27 February 2010 - 01:16 AM.

[brokenportal]

Alright, Ill be there, 7pm est.

[bacopa]

Crap, I went skiing last minute and forgot about the meeting...so sorry. Will have it sometime this week, when I get oriented I'll set a time...sorry Portal and everyone.

[bacopa]

rough edit letter to Ricky Gervais

Dear Mr. Gervais,

My name is Devon Fowler, and I head the VIP Outreach project at imminst.org, short for the Immortality Institute; a non-profit longevity/anti-aging organization.

Many of our members loved your movie “The Invention of Lying,” and what caught my eye in particular was the movies not so subtle pro atheist message.

Our organization is focused on research and advocacy into increasing the human lifespan by actually defeating the aging process in humans. What most people don't realize is that there is burgeoning research into ways to slow down, halt, or even reverse the aging process in people. I know, it sounds futuristic, if not fantastic, but I can assure you it's being very much worked on.

You may be familiar with Dr. Aubrey De Grey. He is a bio-gerontologist out of England who has set up an organization called the SENS Foundation. He plans on combating, what he calls, the 7 causes of aging through an innovative engineering approach; he has even written a top selling book called “Ending Aging,” which discusses his unique vision.

There is much, much more going on currently in the anti-aging/longevity field, and my mission as VIP Outreach leader is to try to inform the world about what is going on. We decided that by reaching out to top celebrities, and other “VIP's,” we could really help spread the word about what is going on, and it would be wonderful to have a person like you interested this. (I know this paragraph is awkward help please)

The reasons for defeating the aging process are absurdly obvious; a longer life would allow us to do things not possible in the human life span currently. Imagine remaining youthful for longer; even indefinitely! Imagine not having to throw away your hopes and dreams so soon, or even for a very very long time! Should I throw out a numerical value? Sure it sounds like Dorian Grayish, but it would actually save billions in end of life health care costs.

I would love to chat with you further about this, as I don't have the time in this letter, so we cordially invite you to our online chat show called “Sunday Evening Update.” On this show we have talked with many other guests some famous in their fields about their opinions on life extension, and we would very much like to hear yours!

You can contact me at fowlerdevon@gmail.com or on my cell at 617-905-3979.

Sincerely,
Devon Fowler
VIP Project Manger

Edited by dfowler, 01 March 2010 - 06:03 AM.

[David Styles]

If I may...

Please feel free to get in touch at your convenience to discuss our proposal and

You certainly may, thank you for catching that (oh the irony; I have a Pole telling me I need more vowels :D).

In the absence of further feedback from anyone, I have sent this today (and ordered SCOD on Amazon yesterday) to:

Mr. Daniel Negreanu
P.O. Box 416
2251 N. Rampart Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89128
USA

[David Styles]

rough edit letter to Ricky Gervais

Dear Mr. Gervais,

My name is Devon Fowler, and I head the VIP Outreach project at imminst.org, short for the Immortality Institute; a non-profit longevity/anti-aging organization.

Many of our members loved your movie “The Invention of Lying,” and what caught my eye in particular was the movies not so subtle pro atheist message.

Our organization is focused on research and advocacy into increasing the human lifespan by actually defeating the aging process in humans. What most people don't realize is that there is burgeoning research into ways to slow down, halt, or even reverse the aging process in people. I know, it sounds futuristic, if not fantastic, but I can assure you it's being very much worked on.

You may be familiar with Dr. Aubrey De Grey. He is a bio-gerontologist out of England who has set up an organization called the SENS Foundation. He plans on combating, what he calls, the 7 causes of aging through an innovative engineering approach; he has even written a top selling book called “Ending Aging,” which discusses his unique vision.

There is much, much more going on currently in the anti-aging/longevity field, and my mission as VIP Outreach leader is to try to inform the world about what is going on. We decided that by reaching out to top celebrities, and other “VIP's,” we could really help spread the word about what is going on, and it would be wonderful to have a person like you interested this. (I know this paragraph is awkward help please)

The reasons for defeating the aging process are absurdly obvious; a longer life would allow us to do things not possible in the human life span currently. Imagine remaining youthful for longer; even indefinitely! Imagine not having to throw away your hopes and dreams so soon, or even for a very very long time! Should I throw out a numerical value? Sure it sounds like Dorian Grayish, but it would actually save billions in end of life health care costs.

I would love to chat with you further about this, as I don't have the time in this letter, so we cordially invite you to our online chat show called “Sunday Evening Update.” On this show we have talked with many other guests some famous in their fields about their opinions on life extension, and we would very much like to hear yours!

You can contact me at fowlerdevon@gmail.com or on my cell at 617-905-3979.

Sincerely,
Devon Fowler
VIP Project Manger

I have some feedback for this but don't have time right now - I'll post later this evening.

[brokenportal]

Alright, great, another successful month. We got out 3 minimum contacts sent out to Negreanu, Bell, and Shostak.

Im locking this topic now. Thanks everybody. On to March.

[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

Same routine, let's try to get 5 for this month as 3 seems very doable.

I'm also interested in getting some volunteers who are excellent on the phone. These volunteers would sell our mission and vision to the VIP's agent, manager, and publicists.

Brokenportal informed me that agents didn't seem too receptive, but that publicists maybe the way to go.

Let's do a knockout job this month!

[David Styles]

Alright, let's get this show on the road! I think exceeding the minimum would be excellent.

When the team minimum is exceeded, how about considering increasing the minimum when it's noted to be quite acheivable to more than three?

With more people on board, then assuming the team is dedicated, this should be plain sailing.

With the Gervais letter nearly completed last month, that means we nearly had four in February.

If we use that this month, and equal last month's work level but increase efficiency slightly, that will be five already for March!

Who are your suggested hot picks for March?

[bacopa]

I'm thinking of Eddie Vedder as he has made some interesting pro agnostic/atheist comments and he just springs to my head, don't know if you think that is a good pick.

Robbin Williams with his heart problems seems to have a new zest and appreciation for being alive, and I think he would be an excellent pick.

No excuse for us not to do 5 this month, the letter writing is easy.

I'm on this like glue.

[brokenportal]

If you do 3 that would help you redeem your contribution ability to the team, however I wont hold you to 3. Just 1 would be fine as well.

If anybody who is not on the team is reading this, I would like to take suggestions from other imminst members. If youve got a good suggestion then let me know who it is and why by the end of the week. Ill consider the suggestions and pick a vip by Sunday night.

[David Styles]

Devon: As promised, a suggested edit of your Gervais letter.

You wrote:

Dear Mr. Gervais,

My name is Devon Fowler, and I head the VIP Outreach project at imminst.org, short for the Immortality Institute; a non-profit longevity/anti-aging organization.

Many of our members loved your movie “The Invention of Lying,” and what caught my eye in particular was the movies not so subtle pro atheist message.

Our organization is focused on research and advocacy into increasing the human lifespan by actually defeating the aging process in humans. What most people don't realize is that there is burgeoning research into ways to slow down, halt, or even reverse the aging process in people. I know, it sounds futuristic, if not fantastic, but I can assure you it's being very much worked on.

You may be familiar with Dr. Aubrey De Grey. He is a bio-gerontologist out of England who has set up an organization called the SENS Foundation. He plans on combating, what he calls, the 7 causes of aging through an innovative engineering approach; he has even written a top selling book called “Ending Aging,” which discusses his unique vision.

There is much, much more going on currently in the anti-aging/longevity field, and my mission as VIP Outreach leader is to try to inform the world about what is going on. We decided that by reaching out to top celebrities, and other “VIP's,” we could really help spread the word about what is going on, and it would be wonderful to have a person like you interested this. (I know this paragraph is awkward help please)

The reasons for defeating the aging process are absurdly obvious; a longer life would allow us to do things not possible in the human life span currently. Imagine remaining youthful for longer; even indefinitely! Imagine not having to throw away your hopes and dreams so soon, or even for a very very long time! Should I throw out a numerical value? Sure it sounds like Dorian Grayish, but it would actually save billions in end of life health care costs.

I would love to chat with you further about this, as I don't have the time in this letter, so we cordially invite you to our online chat show called “Sunday Evening Update.” On this show we have talked with many other guests some famous in their fields about their opinions on life extension, and we would very much like to hear yours!

You can contact me at fowlerdevon@gmail.com or on my cell at 617-905-3979.

Sincerely,
Devon Fowler
VIP Project Manger

I suggest:

Dear Mr. Gervais,

My name is Devon Fowler, and I head up the VIP Outreach project at the Immortality Institute; a non-profit longevity/anti-aging organization.

Many of our members loved your movie “The Invention of Lying,” and what caught my eye in particular was the movie's not-so-subtle pro-atheist message.

Our organization is focused on defeating the aging process in humans. What most people don't realize is that there is burgeoning research into ways to slow down, halt, or even reverse the aging process in people. I can assure you it's being very much worked on.

You may be familiar with Dr. Aubrey de Grey, who is an English bio-gerontologist who has set up an organization called the SENS Foundation (Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence). He and his team work to combat what the 7 causes of aging that have been identified, through an innovative engineering approach; he has also written a top selling book called “Ending Aging,” which discusses his unique vision. I have sent you a copy of this book.

There is much more going on currently in the anti-aging/longevity field, and my mission as VIP Outreach leader is to inform the world as to what is going on. We decided that by reaching out to top celebrities and VIPs we could really help spread the word about what is going on, and it would be wonderful to have a person like you interested this.

The reasons for wanting to defeat the aging process are absurdly obvious; a longer life would allow us to do things not possible in the human life span currently. Imagine remaining youthful for longer; even indefinitely! Imagine not having to throw away your hopes and dreams so soon!

I would love to chat with you further about this, so we cordially invite you to our web-tv chat show called “Sunday Evening Update.” On this show we have talked with many other guests about their opinions on life extension, and we would very much like to hear yours!

You can contact me at fowlerdevon@gmail.com or on my cell at +1 617-905-3979.

Sincerely,

Devon Fowler
VIP Project Manger
Immortality Institute
www.imminst.org

[bacopa]

That looks great David just some small errors like leaving out linking words like "in." Team meeting will start in 16 minutes

[brokenportal]

Alright, Im going with Joan Rivers. I didnt do the most research on my pick this month but I need to get my pick in here and she is suitable.

Please continue to list your suggestions in the VIP Outreach contact suggestion topic everybody. The better the reasoning the more apt we are to pick it. Research some reasons why some particular VIPs might be extra apt to support this cause and let us know, thanks.

[David Styles]

With no objections, I plan this month to write to Prof. Stephen Hawking.

He is a manifestly intelligent man, decidedly is a person who has "the big picture" in mind, and has often commented on his gratitude regarding the medical science that has allowed him to live beyond the years "naturally" decreed to him.

Consider also his computer interface set-up, and we see that we have the makings of a pretty cool Transhumanist.

And he's nothing if not a known name, and someone who is taken seriously by people both in and out of academia.

[bacopa]

Joan Rivers won't do much for our credibility, Stephen Hawking is a solid pick though...by the way I linked Aubrey the spot on Oprah with Dr. Oz talking about replacement organs or the first step in regenerative medicine, as they so called it.

They even said soon we'll be living up to 130 years old. here is the link:

Aubrey sounded quite excited when he emailed me back, agreeing this is pretty damn mainstream.

Yes Stephen knows first hand how important technological intervention is.

[bacopa]

I'm trying to figure out my last pick, and I find it reassuring that the celebrity doctors like Sanjay Gupta and Dr. Oz, either are aware of Aubrey and SENS, or know about some "more extreme" life extending tech.

So I'll open it up to anyone who can come up with someone else, and we're shooting for 5 this month...

[bacopa]

we could do Joan Rivers, Robin Williams, Stephen Hawking, and Eddie Vedder, and we need one more!

[brokenportal]

This is the first draft. No once over yet. There may be a lot of holes in it that need work, but maybe not.

Dear Joan Rivers,

I work with the Longevity Communities Network cause, for restoration and maintenance of function, and indefinite healthy life extension. Our main focus at this time is the defeat of aging as a disease, and not just cosmetically.

We are working to grow this cause into a world movement. To do that it would help a lot if we could get the support of more VIP’s like you.

Why should you support us? You should support us this cause is real and growing. Research into aging isn’t just a pipe dream or a long shot. Research into things that are like those forms of damage that cause aging have already had successes. That means that we are already able to do, and know how to do the kinds of things that it will take to see if we can defeat aging. Now of course, the research may never pan out, but that’s what this cause is working to go and see. Who wants to age to death? We don’t, and we trust you don’t either.

This cause has already had a variety of successes. It has been on shows like Colbert Report, Barbara Walters Special, 60 Minutes, the BBC World News, CNN, and others. We have held many international conferences so far, produced books, documentaries, etc…

Please consider supporting this cause. All we really hope for you to do is register at imminst.org, it’s free. We are sending you a copy of our book. You can find more like it at imminst.org/store. We are also inviting you to do an interview on your views of life extension on our small internet show if we may interest you in that.


Best of Regards,
Eric Schulke
Director
Imminst
Longevity Communities Network
1-715-344-4054

Joan Rivers Worldwide
(Company)
150 E 58th Street
Suite 2400
New York, NY 10155-2402
USA
Phone: (212) 751-2028

Theres the address. It has testimonials on people that said they received autographed pictures that they sent in from that address. I called the company number but nobody answered. Its Sunday, I imagine they will be in Monday.


Fowler, I made my pick even though there could have been some debate as to whether it was a sterling pick or not because it was the deadline to get the pick in. The deadline, we create deadlines because life creates one for us, and if we dont stick by ours, death is definitely going to stick by its. If you cant make the deadlines you should consider dropping the team. Instead of coming here and posting about who you want to pick you should be writing letters.

[bacopa]

Portal, I'm in the process of writing letters, I have been punctual this month about the VIP team, I merely suggested maybe we disagreed on the pic I have Robbin Williams and Eddie Veder, so I made this round. Please don't keep saying I should drop the team, I'm working hard this month.

I'm writing a letter to Williams now. Again my critisism of your pick was not to invalidate your amazing work here! I thought we could discuss picks between the team from now on, ensuring we all agree

I took strong note of your criticism of me with the team, and I've been writing and reading your VIP ideas constantly this month.

I also replied to your Team Leaders update page.

Edited by dfowler, 15 March 2010 - 01:11 AM.

[bacopa]

Dear Mr. Williams

My name is Devon Fowler, and I head up the VIP Outreach project at the Immortality Institute; a non-profit longevity/anti-aging organization.

I personally have always been a big fan of your movies, and you are one of the funniest people of our generation! I'm writing to you today to inform you of the cause of all causes; a health and longevity cause that we are trying to inform the world about.

Our organization is focused on defeating the aging process in humans. What most people don't realize is that there is burgeoning research into ways to slow down, halt, or even reverse the aging process in people. I can assure you it's being very much worked on.

You may be familiar with Dr. Aubrey de Grey, who is an English bio-gerontologist who has set up an organization called the SENS Foundation (Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence). He and his team work to combat what the 7 causes of aging that have been identified, through an innovative engineering approach; he has also written a top selling book called “Ending Aging,” which discusses his unique vision. I have sent you a copy of this book.

There is much more going on currently in the anti-aging/longevity field, and my mission as VIP Outreach leader is to inform the world as to what is going on. We decided that by reaching out to top celebrities and VIPs we could really help spread the word about what is going on, and it would be wonderful to have a person like you interested this.

The reasons for wanting to defeat the aging process are absurdly obvious; a longer life would allow us to do things not possible in the human life span currently. Imagine remaining youthful for longer; even indefinitely! Imagine not having to throw away your hopes and dreams so soon!

I would love to chat with you further about this, so we cordially invite you to our web-tv chat show called “Sunday Evening Update.” On this show we have talked with many other guests about their opinions on life extension, and we would very much like to hear yours!

You can contact me at fowlerdevon@gmail.com or on my cell at +1 617-905-3979.

Sincerely,

Devon Fowler
VIP Project Manger
Immortality Institute
www.imminst.org

[bacopa]

Robin Williams contact info

Robin Williams
c/o David Steinberg
Morra Brezner Steinber & Tenenbaum (MBST) Entertainment
345 N Maple Dr
Suite 200
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
USA

Manager

David Steinberg
Morra Brezner Steinber & Tenenbaum (MBST) Entertainment
Management
345 N Maple Dr
Suite 200
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone: 310-385-1820

Agent

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

Publicist

Mara Buxbaum
I/D PR (NY)
Publicity
150 W 30th St
19th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Phone: 212-334-0333
mbuxbaum@id-pr.com

Agent

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