(In the grand tradition ofJohn Van Sickle’s Grand list of Overused Science Fiction Clichés, the Grand list of SF clichés, Things I learnt at the Movies, and Not So Grand Cliché List, Jackie Speel is here to make her own contributions to literature – what to do and not to do – here at MuseHack.)
‘The usual weaknesses’ in describing computers and robots of the future include prediction deficit and chronological inaccuracy. It is not always possible to decide which extrapolations from present technology will be valid and where ‘a leap of imagination’ is required. (Examples – the transition from mainframes to handhelds, and the use of slide rules.)