This is a really key point and I think you're absolutely correct, but to me, it goes a level deeper than just straight up 'the technology'. I know tons of seniors, 65+, who are very active with devices across the board. Where I find the disparity is that a younger brain - likely based on not only youth but life long exposure to technology - processes information more quickly.
The Role of Age in Today's Society
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Re: The Role of Age in Today's Society
- Tsundoku_diva
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- kfwilson6
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The book really does make you pay attention to your own reaction toward older people. My aunt, who is in her late 50's, tells me that she will go to the store and think "ugh why am I stuck behind this old person, move already!" only to realize they are pretty close in age to her. Makes you wonder at what point we really have compassion for people. Do we even notice when we become like those we have spent our lives criticizing? When you are that older person struggling to use your cellphone to pay your bill at Walmart, will you even realize you aren't keeping up with the younger generation? Have you ever seen someone write a check in the grocery line and think really??? There are times when I do not want to adapt to a new technology because I am comfortable with what I've been doing. I don't expect someone with a different technology to be outdone with me over it, but maybe they are just as frustrated with me as I am with the elderly woman writing a check.stacie k wrote: ↑14 Mar 2018, 22:09 Before reading this book, I was not in tune with our society's views of the elderly. However, after dwelling my mind on the depiction in Final Notice, I started to catch myself with feelings of impatience when an elderly person was crossing the street and slowing down my plan and progress. I think the author has done his job to make us think about these issues. It is sad and true that so many of our elderly are placed in nursing homes rather than being cared for by their families. I desire to slow down and give respect and appreciation for the older generation who have so much wisdom and experience to offer.
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Those industries actually seem to show a kindness and consideration for the elderly. They try to provide what people will want even when their own capabilities might be lacking. If someone can't see well enough to drive any more, that doesn't mean they never get to go anywhere, it just means they need another way of getting there. This should be the focus, not criticizing them or dealing with them with an attitude of impatience.Katherine Smith wrote: ↑17 Mar 2018, 12:34 I think that how we view the elderly is very Western oriented. In Western cultures, we typically value independence and self-reliance. This is why there is a whole industry focused on providing services and housing to elderly relatives instead of having a family member take care of them. Now, there are certain situations where this care cannot be provided such as those with dementia, but it is sad reality of our society.
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What a great insight. I think this is a very accurate statement. Up until my grandfather was in his 80's and developed dementia, he was the most tech savvy in the family. He could convert your VHS into a DVD, record music, troubleshoot your laptop (I have no idea how to do any of that).KLafser wrote: ↑16 Mar 2018, 13:35This is a really key point and I think you're absolutely correct, but to me, it goes a level deeper than just straight up 'the technology'. I know tons of seniors, 65+, who are very active with devices across the board. Where I find the disparity is that a younger brain - likely based on not only youth but life long exposure to technology - processes information more quickly.
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Good point about how fast-paced all this technology is and how we are leaving the older generation in the dust. I also agree that using the elderly for the demographic in this book was a solid choice, as it can go across cultures in some way as well as time.ViziVoir wrote: ↑13 Mar 2018, 10:16 I feel like change has happened so quickly in the past decades, with the advent of personal computing and cell phones, that it's easy for our society to leave the elderly in the dust. Choosing the elderly as the minority group of focus in this novel was a good move, in my opinion. It avoids dating the book, and since societal change will likely continue at its current breakneck pace, this ensures it will stay relevant for some time.
"You can, you should, and if you are brave enough to start, you will." Stephen King