When writing SF - particularly near-future SF - being able to write the setting and technology in a way so it does not look outdated in ten or twenty years and appears "current" is a real challenge. Doing it and staying true to your own vision is even harder - particularly if you think some things will stay the same. This leaves you open to being accused of lack of inventiveness or lack of understanding of technology, regardless of the fact you are being judged against standard SF tropes.Reading some Heinlein recently, I found it almost like reading an alternate history - but set in the future. He had an excellent grasp of what technology would do, but it was pictured as an extension of existing technology. Things were still recorded on tapes and wires, and of course everything was analogue. People still smoked (I guess in the late 1950s it was impossible to imagine a world where they did not) and flying cars and taxis landed on the rooftops.
The other thing that often falls flat is money - it loses its value so quickly. As a rule of thumb basically losing half its buying value every decade (but guess what, they were getting $5k advances in 1970 - same as now - work that one out in terms of the 1970s buying power and it will knock your socks off). I was thinking that probably the best thing is to avoid the use of any term that connects with contemporary currency i.e. don't use dollars, yen or rubles. Instead use something in the line of 'credits' - but whatever make sure it cannot connect with the current value of money. At the beginning of the 20th century a millionaire was stupendously wealthy, now the average Western couple would not contemplate going into retirement with around that same value in assets, cash and investments. Millionaire from then probably translates almost as trillionaire in the now.
The other thing that bugs me writing near-future SF is that I believe certain technological elements will remain static. Take the keyboard for example. Our hands and fingers are just such an excellent way of getting data into a computer system. Not that I am saying there will not be some amazing graphical interfaces - but that there will still be keyboards in three hundred years - or at least some version of them. Interfaces, and their success, also depend on the hardwiring of the human brain. I could not write a book into a microphone to save myself - no matter how good the dictation software is. I just think better on the page - and using my fingers.
Despite my contention that keyboards or some version of them will still be around, some critiquers are determined that any SF should be 'really different' and do not see any SF featuring a current interface as being legitimate.
I tend to think, OK, we all use electric lights, but every house has a dozen candles as well, and they have been around a long time. Some things will also layer.
Can you think of any other current technology that you think might remain into the far future because of its utility? Do you agree we me on the keyboard? Or should I admit defeat and replace it with integrated brain-chips? (Grrr. Would you really want a computer in your head? How quickly would you need another surgery to replace it with the latest model? You can't leave your head with the IT guys for the week either. OK, there I go again.)
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