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I specifically mean: give them enough understanding that they'll make reasonable predictions of what it might be used for in the near term. If they're worried a
by jryb 5y ago
I specifically mean: give them enough understanding that they'll make reasonable predictions of what it might be used for in the near term. If they're worried about supersoldiers or immortality then I've failed - if they think that maybe a few simple diseases will be cured and basic research will accelerate, then I've succeeded. If I only use analogies I can essentially never accomplish the latter.
- naasking 5y ago> If I only use analogies I can essentially never accomplish the latter. I disagree. You can easily liken CRISPR to a new innovative tool, like an auto service pit. That innovation lets you make changes and fixes to your car much more easily and more quickly than you could with the tools that came before it, but it obviously won't let you turn your Ford Pinto into an F1 racer, or get your Tesla to fly. Of course, I agree all analogies have their limits, but I think you can almost always come up with an analogy that stays within the limits you're trying to describe so people don't get too fanciful an idea.