She is 90, going on 91 — still bold, independent and wise. Unanimously considered as the da Vinci of the house, my great-grandmother is the epitome of curiosity. No incoming post card, bill, brochure or letter will escape her scrutiny.
From engineering textbooks, spiritual booklets and novels to regional dailies, lifestyle magazines and gadget reviews, everything becomes her reading material. Having lived through the times of steam engines and the telegraph, she has a hard time accepting that milk comes in packets. She goes crazy when food is ordered through mobile applications. In fact, the world around her has changed so much, perhaps even beyond recognition, but she continues to explore its marvels with endless zeal.
According to the United Nation Population Fund, the number of people over 60 years of age will reach one billion by 2020. While the trend of aging societies is a cause for celebration, it also presents huge challenges. People everywhere must age with dignity and security. The key question is: Are our latest technologies and computing platforms designed keeping in mind this 10% (aged 65+) of the global population?
From wheels to smart phones, technology has seamlessly transformed lives. It is high time modern technologies became inclusive and stop turning a blind eye to elderly users. We inherited this world from them. They told us stories, taught us lessons and ultimately helped us stand on our feet. Next time, if the elderly couple living right across your street requests your assistance in tweaking their mobile settings, readily lend a helping hand. As they stride along the twilight of their lives we might as well help them settle in this age of accelerating innovations.
The complex interplay of technology, economics and nature is releasing an extraordinary energy that is reshaping everything that we have ever dreamt of or built. It is miraculously transforming ways in which we hail a cab or to how we order our food. In fact, it has the potential to change the fate of the nations of the world to our very own intimate relationships. In this age when grey cells are exploding with ideas, the resulting innovations are revamping healthcare, education, politics, law and many other sectors.
Technology is creating fair and equal opportunities for individuals and small groups to save the world, or perhaps kill it. We need the creators and users of technologies to be diverse. Leaving the elderly behind will mean leaving out the most experienced and wisest voices amongst us from entering this innovation roller-coaster. Their advice and sentiments will have a huge impact on the way technology is going to be shaped. After all, humans shaped technology and now technology is shaping our common future.
The elderly would love to be in touch with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, get real-time news updates, connect with old colleagues, read and shop online. But alas, we see an alarming divide between the intuitive, tech-savvy youth and the wise, tech-hungry senior citizens.
I wonder what keeps the elderly from embracing modern technology. Is it the technical jargon, lack of practice, societal pressure or the fear of being exploited online? I can see the eagerness in their eyes and the curiosity in their words.
It will always be a matter of time and patience at our end. It is high time youngsters remembered to pause and include them in the brave new world we are busy building.
arundhatikurup074@gmail.com
