said:
Well, I'm still allowed to think 40 is old for a few more years. It's true though - You still think of yourself as kind of a kid (or at least young) for a long time and then suddenly, you find yourself thinking "40's not that old." And then you realize that's what your parents used to say. It's funny - When you're a kid, you can't relate to the generational gap at all because you have no frame of reference. The idea of being a full generation ahead of someone (like your parents are to you) is a totally alien concept. 25 years... 30 years... those are just numbers. You have no perception of time on such scales. They seem like a lifetime away because, for you, they are. But then one day, you realize that you're the same age your parents were when you were a child. And even more terrifying is when people in their generation express the same sentiments about 60 that you're expressing about 40! That's when the full horror of it hits you. This doesn't stop - It keeps on happening! And worst of all is that by the time this happens, you do have a frame of reference. That uncrossable generational chasm you peered across as a child suddenly seems a lot narrower. Being as "old" as you've always thought of your parents suddenly seems far more reachable. And why wouldn't it? You've already done it once! Hmm... I wonder if this is what a midlife crisis feels like. Let's see... I'd like to hypothesize a multiphase process with four distinct stages that your brain passes through, which I shall dub "The Four 'R's".
1. Realization Abject horror as the brain tries to process the full reality of this prospect for the first time. "Hey you! Yes, you! See those two old fogies? Well, one day that will be you. AND IT WILL HAPPEN SOONER THAN YOU THINK!"
2. Reflection A phase characterized by deep contemplation, as the brain desperately tries to make sense of it all.
3. Rejection As the futility of the situation becomes increasingly apparent, the brain makes one final, last-ditch effort to protect its sanity by entering a state of flat denial.
4. Resignation Eventually, having failed to convince oneself that "there is no spoon", the brain enters the final stage of the process. Primary distinguishing feature - Grudging acceptance of reality.
For the record, I also hypothesize a possible alternative fourth stage...
... but, thankfully, I haven't experienced this one so far.
Disclaimer: The above hypothesis is not endorsed by any doctor, mental health professional or medical institution... but there is this guy with a mail-order degree who thinks I'm onto something! |
You have put a fantastic point.
To complement I'll put the relativity of time passing (why when we are older time seems to pass to fast). When we are 1y old that year was 100% of our time on earth. With 10y it already reduced to 10% and whe we are 30 it already reduced to 3,33% so time is always looking like it's passing faster.
duduspace11 "Well, since we are estimating costs, Pokemon Red/Blue did cost Nintendo about $50m to make back in 1996"
http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/post.php?id=8808363
Mr Puggsly: "Hehe, I said good profit. You said big profit. Frankly, not losing money is what I meant by good. Don't get hung up on semantics"
http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/post.php?id=9008994
Azzanation: "PS5 wouldn't sold out at launch without scalpers."
