For Us Old Geezers

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CHR

CHR

Design matters
Nov 28, 2002
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Ha! The New York Times says An Older Brain May Really Be Wiser Brain

A few tidbits from the article:

When older people can no longer remember names at a cocktail party, they tend to think that their brainpower is declining. But a growing number of studies suggest that this assumption is often wrong.




Instead, the research finds, the aging brain is simply taking in more data and trying to sift through a clutter of information, often to its long-term benefit.
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“A broad attention span may enable older adults to ultimately know more about a situation and the indirect message of what’s going on than their younger peers,” Dr. Hasher said. “We believe that this characteristic may play a significant role in why we think of older people as wiser.”
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The Bad News: creative people are generally mentally disorganized:
In a 2003 study at Harvard, Dr. Carson and other researchers tested students’ ability to tune out irrelevant information when exposed to a barrage of stimuli. The more creative the students were thought to be, determined by a questionnaire on past achievements, the more trouble they had ignoring the unwanted data. A reduced ability to filter and set priorities, the scientists concluded, could contribute to original thinking.
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But filtering and old age gives us an advantage:
“These findings are all very consistent with the context we’re building for what wisdom is,” she said. “If older people are taking in more information from a situation, and they’re then able to combine it with their comparatively greater store of general knowledge, they’re going to have a nice advantage.”
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Pretty facsinating stuff. Now I don't feel so bad when I forget folks' names.... ;)
 
OMG! I feel so much smarter now! I am just storing a lot of information.
They always say information overload! I keep telling my 28 yr old son (Chiropractic Student) that I am not as dumb as he thinks I am. I can't wait for the day he has his own practice & has to pay all the bills at work & home & there just isn't enough 1 week. What do you do? Do you pay yourself or lose your staff? I want to hear those words "Mom, I guess you weren't so dumb afterall! :)
 
And all this time I thought my brain was full:eek:
I had to forget something in order to remember something new.
There is hope for us yet.
Sharon
 
Cathy I'm forever telling people I haven't forgotten anything, I just have to give my head a shake to reposition the wealth of information in there. :)

V
 
Now I know why I've ALWAYS been mentally disorganized, and can now forgive myself for forgetting names. It's going to be a great day. Thanks Cathy!
 
CHR said:
The Bad News: creative people are generally mentally disorganized:
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Here, I thought I was organizationally retarded. In fact I just must have a creative mind.

...and if you've ever seen my office you'd have to come to the conclusion I must be a creative genius. :) Actually, my office has somewhat improved recently, thanks to the suggestions of the friendly fire inspector who declared it a fire hazard.


RC

"If a Cluttered Desk is a Sign of a Cluttered Mind, What's an Empty Desk a Sign Of?" -Albert Einstein

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Ya know this is funny...I have been packing up all the ~clutter~ in my life the past two months and giving it away to charities. Maybe clearing out the clutter in my life will help to unclutter my brain?
 
Dianne, I too am ridding myself of clutter as I'm moving within the next two weeks. My mantra now is if I haven't seen it or used it in six years, it is gonzo. :)

V
 
V,

Ah...my brain is going to be less cluttered than yours! My mantra is not used in ONE year it's outta here! I figure there won't be much left when I'm done...taking it one room at a time and I have boxes and boxes to give away, including collections of Precious Moments and angels that I have collected throughout the years! I took most of those collections to the shop and offered them to my staff. The pieces they didn't want were put on a counter with a sign that read "Free To Good Home!" My customers enjoyed looking through my ~stuff~ and taking "free" items home! My goal is to really simplify my life and home and not have to dust all those silly collectibles! I am changing the furniture to very modern with only a few valued collectibles, photos and lamps! Really clean lines is the goal. It's amazing what clearing clutter in your life can do to "free your mind!!!"
 
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