Want to keep your mind sharp as you move through middle age?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Kizmet, Jan 22, 2012.

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  1. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Kizmet, Jan 22, 2012
    #1
  2. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Thanks for sharing that article, Kiz. The ideas presented here fit well with the old adage, "use it or lose it." I believe that the brain is like our muscles, if we exercise them, they will stay strong and if we don't, they atrophy. DL is quite a benefit in this circumstance because it allows many to continue to exercise their minds when jobs and other responsibilities would have prevented it in the past.
     
    SurfDoctor, Jan 22, 2012
    #2
  3. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    Abner, Jan 22, 2012
    #3
  4. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Hmm... I wonder if this thread was meant for me.
     
    Ted Heiks, Jan 23, 2012
    #4
  5. GeeBee

    GeeBee Member

    It can't be. It was obviously meant for me!
     
    GeeBee, Jan 24, 2012
    #5
  6. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    I'm over 40, so I guess I'm useless, but the good news is that I'm retiring at 55, before the magical 60 barrier listed in the article.
     
    Bruce, Jan 25, 2012
    #6
  7. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist

    Turning 40 this year. Going into it kickin' and screamin'! Also, looking to begin a graduate cert in media psychology and digital asset management through Fielding. ;)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 26, 2012
    japhy4529, Jan 26, 2012
    #7
  8. BobbyJim

    BobbyJim New Member

    Since 40 is a distant image in the rear view mirror, I can find inspiration in this:

    “Older people make more use of higher-order reasoning schemes that emphasize the need for multiple perspectives, allow for compromise, and recognize the limits of knowledge.” Most important, they discovered that despite a decline in fluid intelligence, complicated reasoning that relates to people, moral issues or political institutions improved with age.

    We do learn to adapt!:yes(1):
     
    BobbyJim, Jan 26, 2012
    #8
  9. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    Hey...turning 40 is better than the alternative.

    By the time I'm 60 hopefully I'll be working for myself. I don't ever plan on actually retiring...how boring would that be?
     
    friendorfoe, Jan 26, 2012
    #9
  10. BobbyJim

    BobbyJim New Member


    That's why I'm a semi-retired engineer, AKA consultant. I tried full-time retirement at mid-50s and it sure didn't work for me.... boring doing too little or too expensive doing what you really like! Consulting is just right for me :surprised:
     
    BobbyJim, Jan 26, 2012
    #10
  11. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I feel the same way. I may not work full-time and I may work at something fun but I don't think I'll ever retire. I don't want to die at my desk but if I died at the beach with appointments in my calendar I'd be OK.
     
    Kizmet, Jan 26, 2012
    #11
  12. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Many of the points in the article were discussed in detail in several of the courses I have taken for my Social Sciences major. I have learned, to great astonishment and great elation, that the greater portion of mental AND physical declines normally associated with growing old are not actually age-graded but correlated to disuse. If one is regular with physical strength training, it is possible to be stronger at the age of 95 than most people in their 20's (provided that you stay accident and chronic disease free, which admittedly are hard to do for 95 straight years) and the same thing is true for mental exercise. During one's life, the body doesn't waste its resources building up parts that aren't in regular use.

    Now, for my typical anti-populist rant. Getting a college degree may help one to keep the mind sharp in midlife and beyond, but it is not some unique magic pill. Taking up languages, memory athletic training, reading regularly and even working to master a boardgame that you enjoy like Chess, Checkers, Go, or my personal favorite Connect Four (anyone who wishes to lose may PM me and we can meet on an online server somewhere :p). Also, much academic work is available for free on the internet or in ye olde library.

    Then there is the social aspect to mental acumen. People who stay social stay smart. College can help you to do so, but then again, so can religion, hobby clubs, politics and even... yes... community board game clubs and tournaments like FIDE chess clubs that exist within driving distance of nearly every person in the country.
     
    Maniac Craniac, Jan 27, 2012
    #12
  13. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    It would be amazing. I had the past month off from work and it was one of the greatest months of my life. It was way too short, IMO, several years of it and I couldn't be happier. Retirement is only a problem if you can't figure out what else to do with your time than working for money. You can stop working for money, but start working for things that are meaningful to you.
     
    Maniac Craniac, Jan 27, 2012
    #13
  14. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    I just hit the big 5-0 about a week ago.
     
    Ted Heiks, Jan 27, 2012
    #14
  15. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist

    Happy belated birthday, Ted! :D
     
    japhy4529, Jan 27, 2012
    #15
  16. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Thank you!
     
    Ted Heiks, Jan 28, 2012
    #16

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