I have no objection to anonymous forums. They serve a valuable role in society and have, going back to graffiti, which I’ve observed all over the Ancient world. The problem occurs when you are trying to build community and generate action – which is very different than chat, political maneuvering, and complaining, which is mostly what you get on such forums. It gets even more complicated when individuals who are not anonymous, and who are in fact working to try to do something productive (whether successful or not) get attacked and have no way to confront their attackers – attackers who can also multiply themselves endlessly to create a wholly unjustified impression of support or agreement. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I know it is not right for what is underway here. There are two other forums available for such commentary and commentators: Cold Filter Cryonics Chat and New Cryonet.

As to Facebook, I know little about its mechanics, but here’s what I suggest; Eugen Leitl is the Administrator of Chronosphere. Why don’t all three of us get together on line or via Skype and discuss this. I also have many other issues you may be of help with.

BTW, I was in Flagstaff today and the Hard Drive, still in the wrapping from the failed attempt to send it to Germany, was sent off via FedEx to Pittsburgh, today. It is scheduled to arrive on 04 April and you should be able to pick it up from UPMC when you arrive from Moscow, thereafter.

Finally, where the hell is the photo essay on the KrioRus facility and an account, an HONEST account, of recent doings in Moscow. You promised me a piece months ago, and now I’m holding your feet to the fire. I want to encourage you to stay in dialogue here, because this space is not just about the US or the West. You have a fine mind, a keen insight into many aspects of cryonics – Western cryonics – and it is needed here. I also want to point out that things are incubating here to begin radical efforts of an insurgent nature to start applying the enormous advances that have been made in biomedicine – particularly with respect to regenerative/rejuvenative medicine to humans -namely us – soon – before we are all decrepit, dead or both. I want to see a reintegration between ALL rational efforts to stay alive and healthy and cryonics, and I want to see it soon. I believe you may have a significant role to play in that – and we should communicate about that soon, as the Chronopause Foundation has finally begun to gestate.

Have a good trip to the US and enjoy documenting the limb transplant program at UPMC! In fact, tell us about it here, if you can. — Mike Darwin

However, requiring the use of real names can be a valuable tool. Mike, if you want to implement that, I suggest that you enable Facebook authentication on the blog and disable other methods. The reason is that Facebook has draconian policies against anonymity (which are unethical for a number of reasons), more or less ensure that accounts there are associated with a real person.

Step by step, starting with our real names, we develop confidence and pride in what we are interested in and want to accomplish.