So moving on, what are some other options that we can discuss? Is the use of a laser (green/blue/red) really viable? I have seen a DM using one but honestly I don't pay much attention to DM's (in most cases where DM led dives are required) as I don't like to spend my dive watching a DM harass marine life. Unfortunately I would say that 50% of my DM led dives in protected marine parks featured DM's poking, prodding, pulling, and even wrestling and breaking coral to show me something I had no interest in seeing that way. Would a laser pointer have helped? I don't know.
Once again, it's not the tool ... it's how the tool gets used that matters.
I've seen people use laser pointers to point out tiny critters too. Keep in mind that in most parts of the world, these guys are getting paid to do just that. Most times they're aware that it's their livelihood, and are careful not to destroy or damage things. Sometimes it's different.
When I was diving in Indonesia, we diived with four different operations in Bali, Komodo, Bunaken, and Lembeh ... and used several different guides. At no time did I see any of them damage anything ... or even actually touch the critter they were pointing out. Moving a sea fan or gorgonian doesn't damage it if it's done properly ... current and surge move them every day, after all. Using a pointer in the proximity of a tiny crab or seahorse didn't seem to disturb the critter at all. Using a reef rod to steady oneself doesn't damage anything if one is careful where they put it ... it's far less damaging, in fact, than accidentally getting your fins too close to a reef ... which is the realistic alternative. I respect your opinion that if you can't control yourself without aids, then it's not worth seeing ... but let's face it, a lot of people who pay thousands of dollars to go see these sites aren't going to take that view. I'm in favor of making it possible for them to do what they WILL do in a way that mitigates the risk of damage.
Yes, I got my shots without the use of an aid ... but I have over a couple thousand hours of bottom time to draw on, and I don't have any expectation that someone who dives a lot less than me will be able to do something just because I can.
As for using a laser pointer ... if you do not shine it directly on the critter then I think it's OK. What I do at home ... using just my regular dive light (granted in much darker conditions than most people like to dive in) is to circle around the critter, indicating that I want the other diver to look inside the area I'm circling. That can be done very effectively with a laser pointer without damaging anything.
It's important that any piece of diving gear be used appropriately, and not as a substitute for developing good diving skills and habits. On the other hand, divers come at all skill and experience levels ... and realistically, none of us can dive without one way or another changing the environment we dive in. It's incumbant on all of us to recognize that fact and do what we can to minimize our impact. In some cases, I think a reef rod is a viable alternative because using one results in less of an impact than would be the case if the diver didn't have one.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
. Ok no more hijacking 
