From Social Studies, Globe and Mail
It t
urns out grandma was right: Listen to your elders,” Randolph Schmid reports for Associated Press. “New research indicates they are indeed wiser – in knowing how to deal with conflicts and accepting life’s uncertainties and change. It isn’t a question of how many facts someone knows, or being able to operate a TV remote, but rather how to handle disagreements – social wisdom. And researchers led by Richard Nisbett of the University of Michigan found that older people were more likely than younger or middle-aged ones to recognize that values differ, to acknowledge uncertainties, to accept that things change over time and to acknowledge others’ points of view. ‘Age effects on wisdom hold at every level of social class, education and IQ,’ they report in … Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
urns out grandma was right: Listen to your elders,” Randolph Schmid reports for Associated Press. “New research indicates they are indeed wiser – in knowing how to deal with conflicts and accepting life’s uncertainties and change. It isn’t a question of how many facts someone knows, or being able to operate a TV remote, but rather how to handle disagreements – social wisdom. And researchers led by Richard Nisbett of the University of Michigan found that older people were more likely than younger or middle-aged ones to recognize that values differ, to acknowledge uncertainties, to accept that things change over time and to acknowledge others’ points of view. ‘Age effects on wisdom hold at every level of social class, education and IQ,’ they report in … Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesThis strikes me as counter-intuitive: old people being more open minded about others opinions. For me, old people tend to like ethnic jokes in a manner that belies a deep felt suspicion of the 
subjects of said jokes. Also, they give the stink eye to kids who ride dirtbikes down the street.
subjects of said jokes. Also, they give the stink eye to kids who ride dirtbikes down the street.Perhaps, the age-tolerance connection is true but in a very local way. I don't think of the elderly as being g
reatly receptive to new large scale social trends or hair styles, but perhaps they can see the validity in the viewpoints of those around them - grandchildren, neighbours, family. They are certainly kinder to grandchildren than parents are.
reatly receptive to new large scale social trends or hair styles, but perhaps they can see the validity in the viewpoints of those around them - grandchildren, neighbours, family. They are certainly kinder to grandchildren than parents are.The connection between social wisdom and tolerance of different view points is interesting if not necessary. If the old get social wisdom, then what does youth get? Probably passion. Passion for Belief X usually belies intolerance about Belief -X. How can one be passionate about a belief whilst 
acknowledging that the contrary viewpoint to said belief has a pretty good chance of being correct. For example, people passionate about ending racism are not likely going to have a great appreciation for the viewpoint of racists (nor, perhaps, should they). Older people, perhaps, may try to be more conciliatory to those viewpoints even if they personally abhor them. They may seem them as inevfitabilites of human nature that need to be worked with rather than eradicated outright.
acknowledging that the contrary viewpoint to said belief has a pretty good chance of being correct. For example, people passionate about ending racism are not likely going to have a great appreciation for the viewpoint of racists (nor, perhaps, should they). Older people, perhaps, may try to be more conciliatory to those viewpoints even if they personally abhor them. They may seem them as inevfitabilites of human nature that need to be worked with rather than eradicated outright.Youth seems to beget drive. Artistic and intellectual achievement tend to be a 
largely young man's game. Drive is connected to passion, which may be connected with a certain narrow mindedness of intolerance.
largely young man's game. Drive is connected to passion, which may be connected with a certain narrow mindedness of intolerance.Possible Equations:
Intolerance + Ideology + view of Change as Possible - your age from 65 = Passion
Passion = Creativity (eg. early Kinks)
Tolerance + Recognition of Inevitabilty of Differing Opinions (experience of meeting douches multiplied by # of years lived) + calcium deficiency + hip replacement surgery= Pragmatism and Balance
but ... (the Negative Remainder)
Pragmatism and Balance = shitty works of art (musicians over 35)
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