Posted on 11/09/2005 11:35:07 PM PST by andie74
CHICAGO - Forget shuffleboard, needlepoint and bingo. Web logs, more often the domain of alienated adolescents and home to screeds by middle-aged pundits, are gaining a foothold as a new leisure-time option for senior citizens.
There's Dad's Tomato Garden Journal, Dogwalk Musings, and, of course, the Oldest Living Blogger.
"It's too easy to sit in your own cave and let the world go by, eh?" said Ray Sutton, the 73-year-old Oldest Living Blogger and a retired electrician who lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. "It keeps the old head working a little bit so you're not just sitting there gawking at TV."
Web logs, or blogs, are online journals where people write about anything and everything that interests them. Blogs tend to be topical, and typically offer links to other Web sites, photos and opportunities for readers to comment.
Bloggers say their hobby keeps them up on current events, lets them befriend strangers around the globe and gives them a voice in a society often deaf to the wisdom of the elderly.
"It brings out the best in me," said Boston-area blogger Millie Garfield, 80, who writes My Mom's Blog with occasional help from her son, Steve Garfield, a digital video producer. "My life would be dull without it."
....
In June, Garfield was invited to speak at a Boston seminar for marketers on how to use the Web more effectively. A short video of the event, posted on her blog, captures the professionals laughing at her wisecrack about the benefits of a man who can still drive at night.
Sutton, the Oldest Living Blogger, has also enjoyed some limelight. He was asked to take part in a talk radio debate on a controversial high-voltage power line after he posted his views about it on his blog.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Very cool. I hear from a lot of different bloggers of all ages; none near the age of the 73-years-young gent cited in this article, though. More power to him!
I know that there are a bunch of old guys on this forum. How do I know? They always refer to themselves as such. Would love to see demographics on FR, wouldn't you?
That could be fun poll...
Age?
Gender?
Race?
Got pajamas?
;o)
Some of us are disaffected middle-aged black women slouching around in our pajamas.
I often have to remind our undergrads and younger grad students that not everyone over 28 is technically inept. You'd be surprised by the ageism displayed by these students - inlcuding those who want to go into senior centers and bring technology to 'old folks.' Truly patronizing.
This is the base the mainstream media thought would never desert them. They were counting on the seniors to remain loyal subscribers to their very end -- out of inertia and habit.
But really, they are the prime beneficiaries of all the wonderful new technologies -- if they just know about them. And the mainstream media is doing their best not to let them know about them. So we have one hellacious conflict of interest looming ahead -- which doesn't look good for the old mainstream media hoping to hang on to their control. It looks very bad for them; there is no future as they get squeezed from both ends of the demographics.
What's fascinating to consider is how quickly they go under -- and the sheer terror and panic as they abandon their sinking ship.
Power to the People! How the Left must hate us...heh heh heh heh!
It's always an epiphany when the predator begins to realize he's become the prey.
This has nothing to do with blogging, but your remark about the difference in generations reminded me of this, so I thought I'd stick it in this thread.
Hanging out on FR in my ratty granny gown eating an Almond Joy sounds like a kewl pastime!
I think everyone should try to stay informed. The Internet has done that for many people. It has helped both parties and it has hurt the old media overall and helped the new media now that the doors to discussion have been kicked open on a live 24/7 platform.
Not only that, but they can adjust the font size - something I find increasingly necessary. : )
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