tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444241135730921146.post178421898478731117..comments2023-10-26T07:58:23.045-07:00Comments on SAGE'S PLAY: In Praise of Oldness: Longevity, Vitality and the Fulfillment of MeaningGaea Yudronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08013222275959251523noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444241135730921146.post-20598416248596502422015-05-08T14:11:46.623-07:002015-05-08T14:11:46.623-07:00It's unfortunate but it's not the last. It...It's unfortunate but it's not the last. It's one of them. We don't really seem to grow as a species. Very disappointing.Rain Trueaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07994628226501093880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444241135730921146.post-66068811349502803882015-05-08T11:22:02.337-07:002015-05-08T11:22:02.337-07:00Rain, I am glad that you do not experience age pre...Rain, I am glad that you do not experience age prejudice. That is wonderful. It does exist in our culture however, in medicine, retail settings, the workplace, social services, and anywhere that people gather. Ageism is the last socially sanctioned prejudice, and it is time for positive shift to occur for all those affected by it.Gaea Yudronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08013222275959251523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444241135730921146.post-67854537503067914952015-05-05T09:04:40.361-07:002015-05-05T09:04:40.361-07:00It came from this: "Why does our society beli...It came from this: "Why does our society believe old people need help?" asks author James Hillman. <br /><br />I don't have the experience you do about aging. I have not felt I was invisible or treated poorly for being 71. I hear it from others but it's not remotely my experience. My grandmothers were respected, sat in the chair where all revolved around them. My expectation for being old wasn't that it'd be the same as being middle-aged but no fear or loathing attached at all. I believe that some must experience this but I wonder how pervasive it really is. <br /><br />In the writing community, old and young seem to come together as equals and it's only the work that is different. I recognize that being in a laboring job would find it different. My father was eager to retire due to his hard labor work which he couldn't do. Rain Trueaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07994628226501093880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444241135730921146.post-28406878745732673702015-05-03T10:07:03.842-07:002015-05-03T10:07:03.842-07:00Where did Social Security come into the conversati...Where did Social Security come into the conversation Rain? Neither I nor Ashton mention it....I am certainly in favor of increasing Social Security for elders and that goes for Medicare, too--expanding what is covered. Our "senior discounts" are a good and useful token. But the fear and loathing that pervades our society about aging makes it difficult for elders to fully relax into being old and using their skills for themselves in a positive, healthy way. There are many layers to aging in America.Gaea Yudronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08013222275959251523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444241135730921146.post-852859546112090212015-05-02T16:34:55.434-07:002015-05-02T16:34:55.434-07:00Interesting view. So Social Security should not be...Interesting view. So Social Security should not be offered to the old because they don't need it? How about Medicare? I know there are some of us who could get by without either, but for many, being old means they do need that help. I have often felt that special fares for the elders are a mistake as many old folks could pay full fare to a movie or for a meal, have actually more money than younger ones struggling to raise a family. The special rates are offered and not many of us turn them down. I think this thing about not wanting to be regarded as old is a two-edge sword. <br /><br />When I put out a new book, I get no benefit for being old nor is there a drawback. While some are pushed out of work when old, others take early retirement as a break to get out of what they were doing and be able to choose a new profession with the added benefit of a pension or a buyout.<br /><br />At 71, I notice definite things that weren't there when I was young. I don't want to be regarded as young or the same as I was. I don't want to go back either but I am well aware that I have less years ahead than I had behind-- a lot less. Rain Trueaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07994628226501093880noreply@blogger.com