The Technology
Experience
It comes as little surprise that as we grow older, we experience more. We learn more about ourselves, other people, our environment, our purpose, and how the world works. Couple this fact with the idea of learning from our mistakes, and experience should grant us success as we don’t repeat mistakes we make in earlier life. As Warren Buffett said, if we can learn from other people’s mistakes, even better. Through experience, caution can be exercised when necessary, and patience helps make the older generation more willing to take the time to do things right. To not repeat mistakes.
You would think as older generations gain experience, they come to understand different perspectives and viewpoints. But often, this isn’t the case.
The world of technology is innovating so quickly. It can be difficult to keep up with changes even in areas that you’re interested in.
The Two Sides of Technology
The Good:
The older generation is especially susceptible to being left behind by technological innovation. They haven’t grown up surrounded by technology and so it’s a smaller part of their lives. Also, they’ve lived a large majority of their lives without it. Why would they need it now? There are many reasons.
Firstly, technology can be used as a method of communication. The person the older generations spend the most time with is themselves. This can lead to high levels of loneliness in older populations. Technology takes some of this loneliness away. Whether communicating with family over a video call, with friends over text, or even on blogs with others of a similar interest, technology allows a connection that can be vital.
Classes that help teach people how to use technology can help teach older adults how to get online and use apps, and software in areas of interest. Also, younger family members can enjoy teaching their older relatives how to use the tech.
This paints a wonderful picture of technology. It can be difficult for the older generations to accept technology into their lives. But in moderation, it can provide enormous aid to how they live their lives.
The Bad:
Through improved quality of life in the developed world, children are growing up with fewer and fewer problems. On the surface, this is a great thing. A stable upbringing can provide supportive relationships, and access to more resources and opportunities than generations before. The focus can shift from problems to survive, to problems that can help solve bigger problems in the world. Children can focus on their education, find what they enjoy, and contribute more to the world.
But, the generations that lived through wars and other periods of struggle were naturally toughened. So what will be the impact if future generations grow up with few problems?
Without problems, any adversity and struggle feel so much harder to manage. These children will exist in protective bubbles and develop unrealistic expectations of what life should really be. If these children don’t experience struggle themselves, how will they ever understand others when they are?
To avoid future generations growing up unable to handle adversity, there are some things we can do. Firstly, children need to experience as much as possible. They need to take risks, they need to be independent and be allowed to make mistakes. After all, mistakes are how we learn. In our education system, we’re programmed to believe mistakes are bad. They are not. The modern-day education system is flawed and teaches you how to memorise answers for a test. I have ranted many times about the modern-day education system and so I won’t say anymore!
If mistakes are conveyed as positive learning experiences, children won’t be fearful of them. Through this, they can build thicker skin, and won’t be scared to try new things, be more independent, and take some risks.
The Best Life Advice Of The Older Generations
· Build Strong Relationships
· Find Purpose and Meaning
· Physical and Mental Health
· Live in the Present
· Embrace Change
Most of this involves putting technology aside. I’m not saying technology is all good for the older population and all bad for the youth. But in short, go outside, touch some grass, and talk to some people you love. Maintain healthy boundaries and set limits with your technology. As we get sucked more into the digital world by technological innovation, give yourself as many reasons as possible to remain in the real world.