I love this book. When I first read it I was really into real time strategy games. What I took away from this book was, focus on your economy and you can do wonders when you want to flex your military.
This list is interesting but really says more about the author than what kids born in 2011 will be exposed to. This reads like a list of things the author doesn't use or thinks are basically already obsolete.
Reading this I see the corn tortilla rolled around a filling, but where is the chili pepper sauce? What makes this language live up to it's spicy namesake.
Having been to several conferences my only advice would be do everything with confidence and a big smile.
As an undergraduate I approached many famous people in my field with nothing more than a smile and a hand out, they all understand where you are having been there themselves at some point.
Usually they will ask you what you're doing and show some kind of interest in your work or ideas.
I don't see how this is an issue. As a mathematician I get most of my actual work done in some kind of intoxicated state. If I'm not intoxicated and working I'm on some other substance. My work doesn't suffer...
If the average was increasing three points per decade then there would be no noticeable increase since the test is supposed to be calibrated so average is 100.
Which would mean, there would be no increase in average IQ if average intelligence was increasing...
Pham Nuwen is a real role model.