advancements, contributions and sacrifices made by the Alcor Board and Staff members. Having been informed and somewhat involved in the recent difficulties, I have been compelled to look objectively and subjectively at just what has happened in the last several years. In doing this I have come to the sincere conclusion that we Alcorians are very fortunate to belong to an organization with such an exceptional board of directors and staff. I hope that people in the cryonics movement have come to the conclusion that the directors and staff of Alcor handled the recent Dora Kent crisis as well as possible. We all know that we champion a misunderstood and unpopular philosophy as far as our relationship to the masses is concerned. There was no doubt that attacks would come and there is no doubt in my mind that there are more in the works. With this in mind, I for one, am grateful that we have such top quality people representing us. A lot has happened since Dr. Bedford was frozen in 1967. And, despite several near catastrophes, he eventually found his way to Alcor. At least, in 1989, it can be said that the first man to be frozen stands a reasonable chance of achieving his dreams. There is no question that the Dora Kent matter turned latent problems into present concerns. Theses are problems that we would have had to deal with sooner or later, (along with the other critical problems on the horizon.) With these concerns on my mind, it makes me feel confident to know that we have such high caliber people on the board and staff to face those future problems. I guess what I'm trying to say in this round about way is "Thank You" to the board and staff of Alcor, and to those other members who have also sacrificed and helped in so many ways. I am proud to be a member of Alcor and to be affiliated and friends with so many other Alcorians. Sincerely, David S. Pizer Phoenix, AZ * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------(16)
Dear Cryonics: I could go on and on, as I did in my first draft for this letter, but I won't. It is as silly to think that we need to understand the universe in its totality to build a robot that can get a cup of coffee, as it is to think that some guy in a lab coat is going to shout, "Eureka!" and all our problems will be gone the next day. Donaldson is right, we don't know how the brain works, and we don't know the physical basis of individual variations in mental aptitudes, but this ignorance cuts both ways. I don't know that increasing intelligence wouldn't require such radical alterations in my nervous system as to totally obliterate my present identity. Donaldson, on the other hand, doesn't know that it isn't as simple as `just' inserting new neurons between the old ones. Opening my head and pouring some more in. Sure, I want (when it becomes possible) to radically alter my body and