What are old people for? : how elders will save the world Cover Image

Book

What are old people for? : how elders will save the world / William H. Thomas, M.D.

Summary:

We live in a society that opposes aging, despite the evidence that each of us is, in fact, aging. This anti-aging bias has prevented us from thinking about old age in a way that feels good or that will create a good elderhood. Removing our ageist blinders, Dr. Thomas provides a motivational and visionary blueprint for old age as a healing force in society. --Amazon.com.

Record details

ISBN: 1889242322 (pbk.)
ISBN: 9781889242323 (pbk.)
Physical Description: xii, 370 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.
Publisher: Acton, Mass. : Vanderwyk & Burnham, 2007.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references (356-361) and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

True longevity. A new wrinkle -- The doctrine of youth's perfection -- The hidden power of age -- Myths and other theories -- Becoming human. A matter of life and death -- Necessity's virtue -- The rise of elderhood. Old age long ago -- Industrial-strength aging -- Victory -- Navigating life. Living on the edge of the world -- Old maps -- The way we live now -- Five ages -- Tragedy. The cult of adulthood -- The assault on childhood -- Adult forever -- The old-age archipelago -- Private grief, public tragedy -- Distant thunder. The Eden alternative -- Resistance -- Place and no place -- Elderhood's sanctuary -- The green house -- A wink and a smile. Midwife of elderhood -- The first shahbaz -- The problem of protection -- Convivium -- The twofold path -- The ripening. Elderhood reborn -- On being an elder -- Eldertopia.