Fight Aging! 2014 Fundraiser Poster #1
October 1st is the start date for the Fight Aging! 2014 Fundraiser to benefit ongoing programs at the SENS Research Foundation, and the event will run through to the end of the year. While new attention and funding is swelling the longevity science community these days, it remains the case that the SENS Research Foundation is the only scientific network that meets all of my criteria for support: work is directed towards repair-based approaches to human rejuvenation rather than merely tinkering with metabolism to slow aging; there is an established non-profit organization so that average folk like you and I can make tax-deductible donations in the US and EU; and funds are spent effectively to advance the state of the art. It is a short list, but hard to fill, and it matters greatly which scientific programs we support.
In the past few months, generous donors have assembled a $100,000 Fight Aging! matching fund to encourage us all to help speed progress in rejuvenation research. Starting on October 1st we seek to raise $50,000 from the community, drawing a match of $2 from the fund for every $1 donated. Don't miss out on the chance to make every dollar you give count for three times as much! More than just a matter of donating, however, help in organization and outreach is also essential. You all know scores of people who don't read Fight Aging! and don't participate in the community, and some of them might if asked. Can you help to make this fundraiser a success by putting up flyers, organizing local events, or reaching out in your community to find new supporters? Here is the first of two posters commissioned for the fundraiser:
- Color design, 3600 x 5600 pixels suitable for 24 x 36 inch posters, 11.3MB
- Color design, 2400 x 3600 pixels suitable for letter size, 6.3MB
The full size graphics are large enough for 24 x 36 inch posters, but are also suitable for page-sized fliers. The original Photoshop files are available on request, but are a little large to put up here. Make as much use of these as you like: the purpose is to spread the word and encourage support.
I think this muddies the waters on what constitutes chronic pain. I hate to be critical when you've done so much for the idea but this isn't going to appeal to the general population. It's also a bit risky if that is a stock image of someone who can be verified as not being in constant pain. This is why when I promote SENS I usually stick to specifics and how they affect particular diseases. This allows people to approach the idea using their critical mind instead of their emotional one. It's harder to argue against using bacterial enzymes to remove lipofuscin, but it's much easier to argue whether or not that person is indeed in chronic pain.
I have to agree 100% with Michael-2 comments - and Reason, please take it as a constructive critique.
Unfortunately this poster rather cast a "grey" light on what SENS is trying to do instead of promoting a rather revolutionary and bright approach on slow/stop/reverse aging.
The poster needs to be visionary and explain in couple simple and catchy images/words the whole SENS philosophy and why people should donate.
Probably won't be a bad idea to launch here on your web site a small "contest" to create a poster for SENS fundraising. I'm sure people will participate and we'll come up with great solution.
Also, if you want to host your large files, there are several host services that allows free accounts for up a certain amount of data. One of them is Dropbox
https://www.dropbox.com/
You can host there, the files that are large.
My favorite related media of all time is one from a Dr. de Grey speech. On one slide he had an image of an old man in a wheelchair next to an image of a healthy young man jumping off a boat into the sea. Above the images it said "Who would you rather be?". It sticks out in my mind because I don't think the message can get any clearer.
I saw a good image in one of those clickbait links on a site of a wrinkled old woman pulling off the wrinkled skin to reveal a youthful face underneath. Not sure if this is overpromising things and likely to turn people off as hype, or inspire them though?
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fnews-thereview.com%2FPEG%2F14081156322462.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fnews-thereview.com%2Fnews%2Fview.html%3Fsection%3D1%26category%3D161%26no%3D7260&h=558&w=600&tbnid=ggTfEi84Ci95AM%3A&zoom=1&docid=7mNDqInhPWMYSM&ei=6fT8U8SyN4Tn8AXt9oGYCg&tbm=isch&ved=0CB4QMygAMAA&iact=rc&uact=3&dur=1864&page=1&start=0&ndsp=49
Yeah, I agree with the comments above. The poster seems a bit sensationalist and kinda depressing.
Criticism always welcome. You're probably not going to like the next poster either, for the same reasons given - it's simply a more elegant version of the same. But I'd be happy to see designs from the community if any of you have talent in that direction.
Allow me to be the sole dissenting voice. I think that poster #1 is attention-grabbing and this is exactly what is needed for any type of outreach campaign. Previous posts have criticized the SENS website for being unclear or too boring. Chronic pain is something that everyone seeing the poster can immediately recognize and it instills fear in most people. Sympathy towards the victim and fear for their own future may provoke more response. Most people are less impressed by explanations of bacterial enzyme research,etc. Only people willing to read through posts on Fight Aging need this level of detail. The complete SENS approach is available at the link on the bottom. Good job, Reason!
I apologise for being critical but the only reason I say this is because opponents to the idea function on a fundamentally different level than the supporters.
I'm sure when Aubrey promoted longevity escape velocity he thought this would incentivise scientists and members of the public when it actually had less than the desired affect.
In saying this even with the current posters I think that the fundraising would still be successful.