Dare To Ask Talk And News About Our Differences - This topic has 5 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 10 months ago by
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Do people become more resistant to learning how to operate things like VCRs and stereos as they get older? I’m looking for a scientific answer, if possible.
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Name : John29237, Gender : M, Age : 42, City : Chicago, State : IL, Country : United States,There is a scientific answer, and it is yes, people do get more resistant to novelty as we age. Robert Sapolsky is a behavioral biologist who wrote a great article about this in the New Yorker a couple of years ago. You can hear an interview with him here – http://npr.org/programs/anthem/thisweek/980509.html – at the npr website. He says people start getting resistant to novelty in music around the age of 35, in food around the age of 31, and in fashion around age 23. I don’t know the scientific explanation myself, though, sorry.
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Name : Sue27753, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 33, City : Toronto, Ontario, State : NA, Country : Canada, Social class : Middle class,Unless there is a biological impediment affecting mental capacity, I would have to say no. As you stated you are looking for a scientific answer, I think this has to do with rational/irrational thinking. ‘Becoming resistant’ involves a thinking process and human beings have a natural tendency to think in irrational terms. My partner of 22 years suffered a debilitating work injury that gave her the chance to retire, or learn the new computer imaging that was redefining her department. Her irrational side was frightened and felt that, at age 66, she could not learn new skills with a physical challenge. But she resisted this impulse, pursued rational thinking and mapped out a plan to reinvent her job. Her boss was impressed at her ideas and knew she was too smart to lose. Now, she does more, works smarter and is a senior computer help person in diagnostic X-ray for a major military medical center. Prior to this she was not you would call ‘computer literate.’ To me, this proves positive attitudes have impact on negative situations. Equation: Rational thinking (I can do this) equals positive action (desire to learn/committment to excel). Age has nothing to do with this process. Attitude does. My Sunshine is the smartest person I know and she keeps us both young. I’m proud of her.
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Name : Alma, Gender : Female, Sexual Orientation : Lesbian, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Methodist, City : Kempner, State : TX, Country : United States, Occupation : contract employee, Education level : 4 Years of College,I don’t have a scientific answer, but as a 50 year old, I can understand both sides of the issue. When you’ve grown up with a TV that has 3 buttons – on/off, volume, and channel, it’s very confusing and intimidating to see a remote that has 30 different buttons to adjust. The buttons on the old TVs could be immediately understood w/o instruciton manuals. The instruction manual for my new TV is 68 pages! Who has time to go through that? I prefer simplicity, e.g., a microwave oven with 2 controls – time and temperature. With fewer options, you can do things more quickly, automatically. When I come home, I want to relax without having to study a 68 page manual to watch TV. Just Curious
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Name : ShirleyAvery, Gender : F, Disability : none, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Jewish, Age : 52, City : st. louis, State : MO, Country : United States, Occupation : writer, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,Yes, it’s true that my mother & aunt are confused by newer technologies, but they are able to live quite comfortably without them, e.g., my brother gave mom a computer so she could email her brother out of town easily. She tried, but preferred to continue calling and writing snail mail. I believe some newer electronic & digital devices can make things more impersonal. People use answering machines sometimes to screen calls in order to avoid unpleasant situations (bill collectors) or people they’d rather not talk to instead of having the guts to deal with these issues & people directly. Also, I still mail a hand written thank you note to anyone who gives me a gift. If they’ve taken the time and money to do something nice for me, I can take the time to write a note,which is much mo
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Name : ShirleyAvery, Gender : F, Disability : none, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Jewish, Age : 52, City : st. louis, State : MO, Country : United States, Occupation : writer, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,Not all technological advances are seen as improvements. With cable TV, DVDs,etc. there are a lot of new options for entertainment. My elderly mother & aunts prefer to read, going to the library 3 times a week for new novels. They also go to movies. They do have cable TV, but there are so many choices and so much hassle to find the show you want, it can be more stressful than relaxing to enjoy this form of entertainment. Just Curious
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Name : ShirleyAvery, Gender : F, Disability : none, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Jewish, Age : 52, City : st. louis, State : MO, Country : United States, Occupation : writer, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,
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