"ALCOR" – a test for clear vision
Alcor's founders, Fred and Linda Chamberlain, explain the origin of Alcor's
name
From Cryonics, August 1984
In September of 1970, we were asked to come up with a name for a rescue team
for the Cryonics Society of California (CSC). In view of our logical destiny
(the stars), we searched through star catalogs and other books on the subject,
hoping to find a star with a name that could serve as a cryonics acronym. "Alcor",
80 Ursae Majoris, was just what we had been looking for. It not only had some
acronymal "fit" for cryonics but was symbolic for its historic use as a test
for eyesight and was located in a very well known constellation.
Alcor, a companion star of Mizar in the "Big Dipper's" handle, is approximately
fifth magnitude, barely within the threshold of human vision. Additionally,
it is quite close to Mizar from an angular standpoint, and dimmer. Only with
excellent eyesight can one tell there are two stars rather than just one. For
thousands of years, people in the Middle East have used Alcor as a critical
test of visual sensitivity and focus. If you could see Alcor, you had excellent
vision indeed. In the early days of cryonics itself, few people could see the
need for a rescue team, or even the need for cryonics itself. Symbolically,
then, Alcor would be a "test" of vision as regards life extension.
As an acronym, ALCOR is a close if not perfect fit with "Allopathic Cryogenic
Rescue." We could have forced a five word string, but these three seemed sufficient.
Allopathy (as opposed to Homeopathy) is a medical perspective wherein "any treatment
which improves the prognosis is valid". Cryogenic preservation is the most powerful
method known in halting the rapid, entropic disorganization of living matter
following clinical death. Rescue differentiates a cryonics approach from (yet
to be developed) proven suspended animation. The acronymal interpretation of
ALCOR is therefore "use of a cryogenic procedure, though unproven, to preserve
structure and potential viability, since failing to do so allows further disorganization
to occur and reduces the probability (prognosis) of reversal and reanimation
at any future time".
Some of these thoughts were presented at a CSC dinner meeting in the autumn
of 1970. A number of people who have subsequently become members of the ALCOR
Life Extension Foundation were present at that gathering. Over the months that
followed, it became increasingly evident that the leadership of CSC did not
truly desire and would not support or even tolerate a rescue team concept. Less
than one year after the 1970 dinner meeting, we severed all ties with CSC and
incorporated the "Rocky Mountain Cryonics Society" in the State of Washington.
The articles and by-laws of this organization specifically provided for "Alcor
Members," who were to be the rescue team core of activity. Difficulties in securing
non-profit status in Washington then led to reincorporation in California, this
time under the name "Alcor Society for Solid State Hypothermia." In the late
seventies, to further broaden the organization's objectives, the present name
(ALCOR Life Extension Foundation) was adopted.
Despite many transitions, the symbolism of the name remains. How long will
it take for more people to see that "Ashes to ashes and dust to dust" is a meaningless
destiny... to see that it is possible to reach for a distant tomorrow... perhaps
to attain it... to see ALCOR for what it really is... a vehicle with which to
attempt that fascinating voyage!
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