Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
It's the thought that counts.

idea: add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, best, random

meta: news, help, about, links, report a problem

account: browse anonymously, or get an account and write.

user:
pass:
register,


                       

Granny Awards

When I was your age...
  (-2)
(-2)
  [vote for,
against]

Wisdom is often an undervalued thing, in our society. Time was, people revered and respected wisdom. They took the time to consult their elders before making big decisions. These days it's not so common to pay heed to the mistakes of the past.

The Granny Awards restores the balance. Excellence In Direction (Of Grown Children); Best (Single) Piece Of Advice; Best Solo Performance By A Grandparent; Best Exit Performance (Posthumous) and many other categories... Wisest Sexagenarian, Septuagenarian, Octogenarian, Nonagenarian will create massive excitement in the nursing homes of the world.

With broadcasts of proceedings going to air from 2:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon (no point putting them on after 7:30) these could be the sleeper hit that television networks have sought for years.

My tip for the top gong this year? "Take The Rap", by the Homily Boys.

Presenter? Tony Bennett.

UnaBubba, Feb 11 2004

Life expectancy http://nefertiti.iwebland.com/people/
Wipe over the graph on the right side, about one page down to see the difference. [kbecker, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]


Please log in.
If you're not logged in, you can see what this page looks like, but you will not be able to add anything.



Annotation:







       //Wisdom is often an undervalued thing, in our society.// Of course it is! 1000 years ago it wasn't easy to make it to age 60 or more. The fact that you made it was proof that you were exceptionally healthy or knew how to take care of yourself. Its worth listening to people like that.   

       These days nearly every idiot can make it to 60 as long as s/he follows just some simple, basic rules. There are currently way too many 60 year olds around who spread "wisdom" without being "wise". I would set the proof of "wise" to 90 or more, assuming that person is still able to talk and walk straight.
kbecker, Feb 11 2004
  

       There's a flaw in your argument, [kbecker]. 60 years of experience is still 60 years of experience. At the pace we now live that experience may well be considerably condensed, compared to 1,000 years ago.
UnaBubba, Feb 11 2004
  

       I'm ok with this so long as it's on at least a 5 minute delay+
theircompetitor, Feb 11 2004
  

       Janet Jackson, 2045... Eeeewww!
UnaBubba, Feb 11 2004
  

       The award: Solid bronze generalized statuette of a hunched over octogenarian, with a cane and glasses, leaning foward with one fist on hip, the other hand wagging a finger as if giving advice to a youngster.
oxen crossing, Feb 11 2004
  

       [kbecker] I understand modern thinking is that folk were quite capable of living to 60 and beyond in days of yore, but that the horrific diseases around meant that you were quite likely to snuff it before you reached 20. This skewed the average life expectancy down somewhat. However, if you reached adulthood, then you were quite likely to get to 60.   

       You could have a whole group of youngsters trying to teach the oldies to suck eggs.
PeterSilly, Feb 12 2004
  

       It occurred to me largely because I seek mentoring and advice from a man who is 66 years of age. He has managed to steer me around a few unexpected obstacles in my business life, so far. He's made all of my mistakes, years ago.
UnaBubba, Feb 12 2004
  

       //60 years of experience is still 60 years of experience. At the pace we now // -- Sure is, but is it worth passing on to the next generation?   

       I'm note sure about the pace these days. Even though there is a rapid technical and economical development I often have the impression that most people don't realize the speed of change. The just expect more of the same. -- "You can go around the world now in just 3 days!" -- "Then why does it take 3 months to go to Mars? I only have 3 weeks vacation."
kbecker, Feb 12 2004
  

       tsuka, hear hear. And you know what's sad? That same generation that forgot the status of wisdom will be expecting mine to listen to its 60 years of experience in the not-to-distant future.   

       Thank the Lord for grandparents.
RayfordSteele, Feb 18 2004
  

       Recently, I worked with a man who was continuing to work at a scientific facility post-retirement. In fact, he completed his doctorate post-retirement. He would work most of the week - for free - simply because he loved science. I learnt an incredible amount from him - and the volume and quality of knowledge is largely attributable to the fact that he had lived and worked long enough to gain it and filter out the crap.   

       I can only hope that I'm as bright and intelligent at 40 as he is at 80.
Detly, Feb 19 2004
  


 

back: main index

business  computer  culture  fashion  food  halfbakery  home  other  product  public  science  sport  vehicle