New Dogs Old Tricks

The adage "you can't teach old dogs new tricks" is in obvious error. If young dogs knew all the "tricks" how come we send them to college where "old dogs" do the teaching? The condition of old age is something not one of us can avoid in spite of collagen injections, botox, blue pills or surgical procedures. We shall all become old if we are fortunate enough and healthy enough to attain it. The newest discrimination, age discrimination, includes all colours and cultures.  I hear some in their early fifties bemoaning the fact that they have been let go and can't find work because they are "too old".  Certain employers would rather hire youngsters who will work for nothing just to get a future position. On the other hand I see very young folks, who literally cut their teeth on computers, are hired at phenomenal salaries and spoiling techniques, by giant cyber companies who use them  as well-paid slaves. Those of an older generation previous or more, are let go with  "retirement packages" to get rid of them. The amount of money offered is always borderline and most people throw up their hands knowing that if they don't take it, they will be discriminated against on the job they've given their lives to, and will eventually retire in bitterness. It is true. It happens every day.  If the elder employees take the tempting package, they are obligated to train their younger apprentices who will work at lower money and dare not complain. Common, if unspoken,  knowledge. What is a mystery to me, is that the example of age discrimination, is neatly side stepped. A senior employee of great value can be mined by these forward moving companies, but  they choose to set it aside and call the culling of their most loyal employees, a "package". The "package" is soon depleted after the cruising and condo buying is finished.  Increasing  inflation and rising costs make a retiree's budget very thin. We all know how pathetic interest rates are.  Besides money matters, there are physical changes to deal with in an elder.  Growing old has no true measuring device. It's not about numbers but about condition of the body. Not all elders are stupid or forgetful or can't manage on their own but the aging body does need attention. But what happens to the physical body functions, doesn't necessarily affect the brain. If you look at history, it is the elders who made the great politicians, scientists and artists. We tend to think of cyber heroes as advancing society, but Hollywood is not life. You don't have to jive down the road in your jogging tights to do something great. Remember Marie Curie and Rosa Parks. Think of the recently departed, Stephen Hawking and his powers of thought that enter a world that sees itself wholly. Dr. Hawking was in his seventies and if his body had allowed it, he would have gone on amazing the world with his breathtaking ideas. Old doesn't mean stupid, or useless or non-productive. Tap into the mind and memories of someone old and find out.