IMAGES FROM THE 1950s

I feel safe in saying that the majority of us at this blog have strong memories of the 1950s. And if not, at least a few memories of the era because decades don't come in neat packages that begin in years with a zero and end in one with a nine.

Here's a well done reminder – so familiar and so foreign all at once.

A YOUNG MOTHER'S SECRET

From Jim Stone – this will break your heart in the best way possible. (If the translations at the bottom of the screen are too small to read, click the YouTube logo in the lower right corner to watch it larger format at the YouTube page.)

ON THE INTERNET, NO ONE KNOWS...

I was shocked to find out that this classic image from cartoonist Peter Steiner that we all know so well was published in The New Yorker way back in 1993.

It became and remains an icon of the internet age. Then, just a few weeks ago, the magazine published an update by another cartoonist, Kaamran Hafeez, acknowledging how much has changed in 22 years.

If that's too small to read, it says “Remember when, on the internet, nobody knew who you were?”

You can see more Peter Steiner and Kaamran Hafeez cartoons here and here.

JOHN OLIVER: VOTING RIGHTS

On his Last Week Tonight essay last Sunday on HBO, John Oliver took on voting rights and U.S. territories. I felt ashamed when I watched this particularly knowing that no one with the power to change it will do anything in my lifetime.

WISDOM FOR THE ART OF AGING

Much honored Irish geriatrician Desmond O'Neill is among the growing number of ageing experts who refuse to support the age deniers' idea of growing old.

”...he doesn’t believe the 'Pollyannaish' approach suggested in popular books like the Younger Next Year book series is helpful,” [writes reporter Peter McDermott at New American Media].

“People used to talk about ‘successful aging.’ It means that if you didn’t reach the criteria of successful aging, you’d failed,' said O’Neill.

“Henri Matisse did not successfully age in a physical sense. After decades painting standing up, he was forced to adjust his style radically sitting down. 'Through his disability, he grew and changed and produced something new,' O’Neill said.

“'So what we’re actually talking about is ‘optimal aging’ that understands the existential hits that we’re going to take in terms of disability and creates a system that frees you from unnecessary constriction by that disability,' O’Neill said.”

What is enormously important and exciting, he says, is that there is a “seismic” change in attitudes among the people who work in various fields of ageing (and, I might add, it's about time).

“'The narrative has been a simplistic one of loss and decline,' said O’Neill, professor of Medical Gerontology at Trinity College and consultant physician in geriatric and stroke medicine at the Tallaght Hospital campus. 'There’s a huge swing back against that.'

“He continued, 'We’ve got to recognize growth in later life. And also not only recognize growth, but also the extraordinary abilities of people in later life to cope with the existential problems they have.'

“O’Neill noted, 'Older drivers have the highest levels of illnesses that might affect driving, yet they’re the safest group of drivers on the road. So, their adaptive abilities, their mastery of how they engage with their environment, is brilliant.'

“There is now a fascinating body of literature on the older worker, according to the Dublin physician.

“'If you have come down in the Hudson and survive, do you want an almost 60-year-old with all his life experience or do you want a 25-year-old?” O’Neill said, alluding to Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger’s successful navigation of Flight 1549 on Jan. 15, 2009.”

I quote at such length because in my mind, O'Neill has taken the place of the late geriatrician Robert Butler is consistent and important reminders of what ageing can and should be.

You can read more here.

CHRISTOPHER WALKEN MONTAGE

I have been a big fan of Christopher Walken for most of my adult life and even I did not think of him as a dancer. In fact, he originally trained in dance for musical comedy.

Here is a wonderful montage of a lot of the dancing he has done in films. The music is Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now by C+C Music Factory. (Terrific video editing too.)

HOW MANY DAYS OLD ARE YOU?

Silly statistic, right? What's the point? Who cares? Well, it got my attention and I wanted to know. These are my results counting from today.

Maybe you're curious too. You can find out here and thank Darlene Costner for the link.

THE BLACK HOLE

From Darlene again and YouTube tells us that in seven year since this was posted, it has racked up more than 17 million views. Have fun.

DRUNK SQUIRREL

I want to get this posted before winter goes away for the year. I had never thought about drunk squirrels in my life but apparently it happens. Too many fermented crab apples in this case, they tell us.

Interesting Stuff is a weekly listing of short takes and links to web items that have caught my attention; some related to aging and some not, some useful and others just for fun.

You are all encouraged to submit items for inclusion. Just click “Contact” in the upper left corner of any Time Goes By page to send them. I'm sorry that I won't have time to acknowledge receipt and there is no guarantee of publication. But when I do include them, you will be credited and I will link to your blog IF you include the name of the blog and its .