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On Aging Alone (2021)

thewalrus.ca

121–130 of 338 posts

Re: On Aging Alone (2021)

#121
post #88

I'm in my mid 50's and a number of peers from different circles have all come to the same conclusion: they want to create intentional communities of friends to age with. One couple purchased several acres of land and has two friends living in a tiny house with them. Another friend is trying to raise capital to build the type of apartments/dormitories that the majority of US city-dwellers inhabitied in the late 1880's…

> indian subcontinent where multi-generational families mean you're never really alone. It's changing fast, especially in big cities. Families are becoming more nuclear. Its still much better than western countries though.

Is it better? I know someone from one of those cultures who says he will never move out until his parents die, there is no independence

Re: On Aging Alone (2021)

#122

feeling this, almost 40. seems like dating is off the menu forevermore but I really never took enough time to enjoy it. Too busy playing with my computers

40 is the prime age for men. You can easily get a younger gf from Thailand/Vietnam/Philippines with minimum effort. And you never know you might find true love (if it exists) as well.

Re: On Aging Alone (2021)

#123
post #91

Loving families are easy to idealize from afar. How many families actually fit that profile? I’m not entirely sure. This is not a jaded attempt to say the pursuit of relationships or family aren’t worthwhile. I just want to set some context here for those feeling lonely, for those who feel like they are standing outside in the cold on the street looking through windows into warm living rooms full of people with warm…

No post body was provided.

Re: On Aging Alone (2021)

#124
post #40

We need to start thinking about doing something about the aging problem. The tools are here, it's a matter of getting it done. SENS foundation is trying just that[0]. 0. https://www.sens.org/our-research/intro-to-sens-research/

I find it bizarre and unsettling that there is a big group of HN users who seem to be scared of death

Re: On Aging Alone (2021)

#125

These are the life choices we make, whether through biology, mentality, or environment. For me, one of the key factors is that the signal-to-noise you have to endure with friends to get the few moments of gratification is so low that it's draining. Maybe it's a product of having a high bar for what constitutes new and interesting/entertaining for me (compared against spending time alone), combined with already being…

Listen to yourself. When you start talking about the signal to noise ratio and calculating the return on investment of social interactions, its time to step away from the keyboard and reevaluate your life. Your brain has been fried by hustle culture.

I think it was just a way to get the idea across. As much as I value being with friends, even after a short while, let's say a weekend, I feel desire to get away for relief. It is draining for me. I think it is called being introvert

Re: On Aging Alone (2021)

#126
post #40

We need to start thinking about doing something about the aging problem. The tools are here, it's a matter of getting it done. SENS foundation is trying just that[0]. 0. https://www.sens.org/our-research/intro-to-sens-research/

I find it bizarre and unsettling that there is a big group of HN users who seem to be scared of death

SENS isn't about death. It's about undoing aging.

For as long as I am alive, I'd rather stay as young and healthy as possible. Wouldn't you?

Re: On Aging Alone (2021)

#127
post #50

AI companionships for the elderly is going to be a beyond massive market by the time we're all old. Sometimes we just need people to listen, and in that AI will exceed most humans, who are generally just waiting for their chance to have someone else listen to them. I'm starting to see the initial beginnings of that market, and already the reviews are eye opening. People gushing over how much of a difference a text-ch…

How about we not do that and try to actually cultivate real life communities and families through more leadership, planned activities, persistent encouragement, etc. I'm kind of tired of the commodification of anything and everything. Communities aren't just supposed to be these bureaucratically labelled abstract co-locations of people mediated by a billion different services, you're supposed to actually try to get t…

Perhaps but I would surmise that the people that would benefit from being in those communities would naturally form irregardless of the distractions of commodified companionship.

But that ignores the ones that unwilling or incapable of joining into the communities you describe. Wouldn't this substitution of a human connection be of positive benefit to all involved then?

Re: On Aging Alone (2021)

#128
post #50

AI companionships for the elderly is going to be a beyond massive market by the time we're all old. Sometimes we just need people to listen, and in that AI will exceed most humans, who are generally just waiting for their chance to have someone else listen to them. I'm starting to see the initial beginnings of that market, and already the reviews are eye opening. People gushing over how much of a difference a text-ch…

Interesting. It made me think about the difference between VR and AR. AI as augmenting social relations, could that be something, and how could it work?

Re: On Aging Alone (2021)

#129
post #16

My 2c. Offer people something. Whatever it is. Fitness. Intelligence. Humor. Pick what you’re good at. And then find those who’d like it. It’s not always about you, it’s about others. Age IMHO isn’t a barrier in this.

Offer hospitality.

To those whose company can be cherished together.

Re: On Aging Alone (2021)

#130

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> indian subcontinent where multi-generational families mean you're never really alone. It's changing fast, especially in big cities. Families are becoming more nuclear. Its still much better than western countries though.

Is it better? I know someone from one of those cultures who says he will never move out until his parents die, there is no independence

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