[this text was forwarded to RHIZOME by brad brace.]

Thank you for your inquiry about AfterLife. We have had an overwhelming
amount of interest in the project, clearly indicating that we have
struck a chord that resonates for many people. Issues surrounding death
and dying are often neglected, and many people pass away leaving no more
than their memory or perhaps a small gravestone. AfterLife would like to
see that change.

As you probably know, AfterLife is a new organization, currently run
entirely by volunteers, and is in the process of developing an
infrastructure that will ensure its ability to maintain people's Web
sites far into the future. For instance, we already know how to maintain
people's Web sites for 10 or 20 years, but what does AfterLife need to
do to guarantee that these digital "documents" are archived for 100 or
even 1,000 years?

Similarly, it is important that AfterLife be a tax-exempt,
not-for-profit organization. However, any undertaking of this sort
requires funding, and we are exploring methods of achieving long-term
financial stability.

The challenge of AfterLife is compelling because now, for the first time
in history, the Web is allowing millions of people–who may never have
had a chance to be published–publish their own words and pictures,
poetry and prose. Just as easily as you can build a Web page, it can be
pulled down or turned off if you are no longer alive to maintain it.
AfterLife can ensure that your work will live on, available to share
with family, friends, and future historians.

What would we give to move beyond the epitaphs of our ancestors'
tombstones, to truly read their words, hear their ideas? And if we could
pass to our children–and their children's children–our own views, our
own histories, our own Web pages, how valuable would that be to them?

How many historians have wished they could study the works of the poets
and artists whose works were discarded because they didn't get
published? How many genealogists or sociologists have wished they could
tap into the worlds of the millions of people who have come before us?

As far as we know, no one else is currently proposing an organization
like AfterLife. And so it is up to us to build a new model within the
new and ever-changing World Wide Web.

For those of you who have expressed an interest in donating time,
energy, funds, or equipment, we will soon be in touch with you regarding
ways in which you can help AfterLife grow and develop. If you are
interested in having your own Web site maintained at the AfterLife site,
please contact david@afterlife.org, and we will contact you with more
information as soon as we have it.