Classic/Antique Car Repair: Block Heater Myth, nubbin, cold weather

Question
First, I am not a mechanic.  Nevertheless, I have been hearing what I consider to be a myth about the use of a block heater.  That is, I have heard it said that if a person regularly uses a block heater in cold weather to help start the car, it will spoil the car's ability to start in cold weather without a block heater.  There are actually some people in the northern part of Canada where temps drop to -40 who believe this statement.  In order to help me to pursuade a friend that this premise is not true, I need an expert like yourself to confirm that it is indeed a myth.

Answer
There is a nubbin of truth in their notion about the block heater, but only a nubbin. The computer controlled cars have an adaptable memory that can be trained to remember operating conditions. It is conceivable that should one use a block heater tricking the computer to think that the ambient temperature is higher than it really is over a period of time, and one day the block heater is not used, it is possible that the car will be harder to start that day. But the computer should make the necessary adjustments and compensate. In the long run there then is little truth in their thinking.
Brad