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Re: Sweet and Nice -- and Very Dictatorial.



Toby Reiter wrote:
> 
> Before the turn of the century, the elderly were often perceived as the
> wise and seasoned members of society.  However, at some point in this
> century, we have ceased to respect and utilize the knowledge base which
> the elderly possess.  I do not believe elderly choose to live a life of
> golf and shuffleboard, but that they are socially forced into this
> position. 

The reasons for this are easy to see.  The nature of useful knowledge has
changed substantially since that time.  Every one of my ancestors who was
an adult at the turn of the century was a farmer.  At the present time, no
one in my extended family has any connection to farming.  At the turn of
the century, the rate of obselesence of knowledge was extremely low.

In the 1990's, if you have been inactive in your field or retired for a
couple of years, much of your knowledge is probably obselete.  This was not
the case a hundred years ago.  Hence the (incorrect) attitude that the 
knowledge base of the elderly is useless.  

I think that we have much to learn from those who have lived longer than
we have.  Sometimes, though, it's hard to take advice from someone who has
a hard time understanding what my job is.  Probably just my own pride getting
in the way . . .


Craig Everett
Cornerstone Technologies
craig_everett@c-stone.com



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