I wonder about that myself sometimes. I'm still young-ish (in my late 30's), but I'm not going to have children. In the end, what will happen to me? When we get old in the wasteland of community...
I wonder about that myself sometimes. I'm still young-ish (in my late 30's), but I'm not going to have children. In the end, what will happen to me? When we get old in the wasteland of community and family life called the "Nuclear Family", what will be left for any of us? Kids move away to follow money or success or stability, as I did. The old people talked about in the article had pensions or retirement benefits that I don't. Will Social Security benefits still be around when I'm old? Will they be enough to survive on? Will society care about me when I'm vulnerable? Even now it looks like we only really care about people when they're fit for work. How poorly will we treat others in another few decades when there's almost no useful work left for a human?
Well, back to work. I need to pay the bills for next month, not worry about the future.
Old people are so invisible almost everywhere around the world. Young generation has the loudest parties and businesses and roams the streets, but so many old people are probably just sitting home...
Old people are so invisible almost everywhere around the world. Young generation has the loudest parties and businesses and roams the streets, but so many old people are probably just sitting home alone for years (the last years). That's a bit terrifying. I wonder if in the next decades the advancement will lead to worsening or improving here.
This article was actually found by @calcifer (comment). The article really made me think and I wanted to share it with you all. I'm sure you'll find the article interesting.
This article was actually found by @calcifer (comment). The article really made me think and I wanted to share it with you all. I'm sure you'll find the article interesting.
Thanks for sharing it! It really is my favourite Japan article. I'm at an age where all but one of my grandparents are long gone and a lot of things in this article were very relatable; the...
Thanks for sharing it! It really is my favourite Japan article. I'm at an age where all but one of my grandparents are long gone and a lot of things in this article were very relatable; the creeping loneliness, the relatives that never come, the neighbours who never visit... Mr. Kinoshita's story fills me with dread - it is truly horrifying seeing someone just wither away like that.
And yet there is cause for smile, however small. "Madame Eleven" who volunteered to help Mr. Kinoshita, and Mrs. Ito and Mrs. Sakai who check on each other just to make sure they are alive remind us that, even in such extreme loneliness, there is still kindness and compassion.
I'll likely die alone, but I feel liberated by the thought, though I suppose it helps to be introvert-leaning amidst a bloom of globally accessible media and tech-driven conveniences.
I'll likely die alone, but I feel liberated by the thought, though I suppose it helps to be introvert-leaning amidst a bloom of globally accessible media and tech-driven conveniences.
I wonder about that myself sometimes. I'm still young-ish (in my late 30's), but I'm not going to have children. In the end, what will happen to me? When we get old in the wasteland of community and family life called the "Nuclear Family", what will be left for any of us? Kids move away to follow money or success or stability, as I did. The old people talked about in the article had pensions or retirement benefits that I don't. Will Social Security benefits still be around when I'm old? Will they be enough to survive on? Will society care about me when I'm vulnerable? Even now it looks like we only really care about people when they're fit for work. How poorly will we treat others in another few decades when there's almost no useful work left for a human?
Well, back to work. I need to pay the bills for next month, not worry about the future.
Old people are so invisible almost everywhere around the world. Young generation has the loudest parties and businesses and roams the streets, but so many old people are probably just sitting home alone for years (the last years). That's a bit terrifying. I wonder if in the next decades the advancement will lead to worsening or improving here.
This article was actually found by @calcifer (comment). The article really made me think and I wanted to share it with you all. I'm sure you'll find the article interesting.
Thanks for sharing it! It really is my favourite Japan article. I'm at an age where all but one of my grandparents are long gone and a lot of things in this article were very relatable; the creeping loneliness, the relatives that never come, the neighbours who never visit... Mr. Kinoshita's story fills me with dread - it is truly horrifying seeing someone just wither away like that.
And yet there is cause for smile, however small. "Madame Eleven" who volunteered to help Mr. Kinoshita, and Mrs. Ito and Mrs. Sakai who check on each other just to make sure they are alive remind us that, even in such extreme loneliness, there is still kindness and compassion.
I'll likely die alone, but I feel liberated by the thought, though I suppose it helps to be introvert-leaning amidst a bloom of globally accessible media and tech-driven conveniences.