Drifting slightly off the original topic....
One of my absolute favorite parts of "Stranger in a Strange Land" was the "Fair Witness." There's a scene where the Fair Witness is demonstrated by someone pointing at a house and asking the Fair Witness what color it is. She replies "it's green on this side."
That's one of those books best read when you are young and impressionable. It's definitely a concept that needs to be pondered and internalized. It's true. As she could only see one side of the house, she could only attest to it being green on the side she could see. The other three sides could have been different colors. It's a wonderful lesson in rational thought.
I haven't read much Heinlein, an error I keep intending to correct but as of yet, haven't gotten around to it. I think I'll bump it further up my personal "To Do" list.
I couldn't possibly count the number of times I've said "I grok" in coversation. I've never once had anyone ask me what it meant, either. That could be because the facial expression and nod made it obvious what it meant, or it could be that Heinlein's contribution to the vernacular was huge.
There's worse things one can do with one's life, most definitely.
