To: WSFAList at keithlynch.net
Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2002 00:50:49 -0400
Subject: [WSFA] 'genius' disses SF fans at Alcor conference?
From: ronkean at juno.com
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

Libertarian self-described genius Michael Cloud popped up at Alcor's
annual Cryonics Technology Festival in Scottsdale, Arizona on the weekend
of February 1st, 1997, and gave a speech in which he equated the
intelligence of science fiction fans with that of Mensans.  The
impression I get is that he did not necessarily mean that as a
compliment.

http://www.cryocare.org/ccrpt10/alcorfes.html

Excerpt:

This talk of money led naturally to the last speaker, Michael Cloud. The
lectern was dragged aside to provide space for him to pace restlessly to
and fro as he gave the kind of relentlessly dynamic presentation that's
more normally seen in infomercials on late-night TV.

He began with a basic proposition: a cryonics organization runs a greater
risk of failure if it remains small. He received a powerful round of
applause when he proposed doubling the membership of Alcor within a year.

How can this be done? He began by summarizing "What doesn't work," and
placed free information at the top of the list. "We waste our time
courting reporters. They will present our story their way. Free media is
really very expensive, because it takes a lot of your time and doesn't
generate new members."

Next he suggested that presentations at science-fiction conventions also
don't work. Science-fiction fans, he said, are "people with a rich
fantasy lives, no jobs, and the intelligence level of people in Mensa."

So, what's the alternative? "I'm a genius at outreach," Cloud told his
audience, and mentioned that his methods have helped to raise membership
of the Libertarian Party from 9,000 to 23,000.
.

________________________________________________________________