Would Hitchens not be able to afford cryonics without donations?
Perhaps so, but would he consider it the best use of his resources? While if he gets it for free, take it or lose it, that’s a different matter.
What’s wrong with this? Isn’t that exactly what cryonics is: grasping the only available straw?
For marketing purposes it would be an epic fail. In interviews he has made the point that no, he will not be doing any deathbed conversions unless he goes mad from pain. If cryonics is seen as only a deathbed conversion to a different religion (easy pattern completions: “Rapture of the Nerds”, “weird beliefs = cults”) it’ll merely reinforce the perception of cryonics as something rather kooky which serious people needn’t spend time on. Your point is correct, but will only work as PR if that’s how it gets across to the public: This is a straw with an actual chance of working.
Perhaps so, but would he consider it the best use of his resources? While if he gets it for free, take it or lose it, that’s a different matter.
For marketing purposes it would be an epic fail. In interviews he has made the point that no, he will not be doing any deathbed conversions unless he goes mad from pain. If cryonics is seen as only a deathbed conversion to a different religion (easy pattern completions: “Rapture of the Nerds”, “weird beliefs = cults”) it’ll merely reinforce the perception of cryonics as something rather kooky which serious people needn’t spend time on. Your point is correct, but will only work as PR if that’s how it gets across to the public: This is a straw with an actual chance of working.
Ah, I see. Certainly it would be better if he made the choice well before he’s at death’s door/in terrible pain/etc..