Just enjoy having good tone and keep playing and don't worry about your mates.
Sometimes trying to get others to see the light can feel like wasting your breath. You will do more to impress by having some killer licks (played with awesome tone) than by constantly explaining the differences.
I too hate it when people seem to follow like sheep - one fashion trend after another, but have learned over time to simply be happy in my own choices and enjoy the sweet luxuries I allow myself (which in my case are BKPs , nice amps and guitars that I build for myself....and lots of old music from the late 70s and early 80s)
In their day both Seymour Duncan and EMG worked hard to put out good product and establish a good following, and they put out some fine product.
I have SD and EMG in some of my guitars (as does TIM) and in certain guitars they sound great, but i keep an open mind and try stuff with open ears.
Just like you, I too love the fact that we all have a close working relationship with the guys that are making some great pickups (hats off to Tim, Steve and Ray) and we can chat to them and have a special kind of service that would otherwise be hard to imagine. I think that makes us very fortunate or lucky!
I would like to feel that is how my customers feel about me as well, or will do some day.
