promixr@ix.netcom.com writes:
> I find it helpful to talk about some 'exotic' technology in conjunction
> with a present technology that was considered exotic in the recent past.
>
> For instance, I was talking to a family member about a recent article I
> read on one company's research into bioimplants of personal computers. I
> jokingly stated that I would be the first on line to receive such an
> implant. He said I was crazy and didn't think it would ever happen. I
> had him recall watching StarTrek as a child and how exotic personal
> handheld communicators seemed back then. Now even he is getting a
> cell-phone!
This strategy can be useful, but note that it can be used to defend just about anything: "Nobody thought heavier-than-air flying was possible, so why can't antigravity be possible?". It is even better if you can point at some sources that support you, that grounds the argument even more strongly in reality.
Today wearable computers are as silly to most as star trek communicators; there is a good chance next generation is going to grow up with them.
-- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Anders Sandberg Towards Ascension! asa@nada.kth.se http://www.nada.kth.se/~asa/ GCS/M/S/O d++ -p+ c++++ !l u+ e++ m++ s+/+ n--- h+/* f+ g+ w++ t+ r+ !y