Things that make you feel old...

[RP]

Having to think seriously about Social Security/Medicare options....

[RustyAxe]

Nearly 61. The news makes me feel old. There was a golden age (in my youth!) when I thought the world was essentially good. I realize that I've grown cynical as I've aged, and what's worse, feel justified about it.

[6L6]

At 69, I'm starting to feel like my body is slowing down. Had to move up to the blue tees at my golf course, less stamina skiing, and pain in my knees.

As they say, gettin' old ain't for sissies...

[Dan Carey]

At 64 I'm starting to get aches and pains that I didn't have even five years ago.
Had to have my knee replaced, but that was because of an injury, not age. Starting to think of retirement and wondering when the next new ache will begin...then I remember that Mom's 102nd birthday party was just 3 1/2 weeks ago!

[davidd]

Going to a concert and everyone in the crowd looks like they belong in one of those PBS Doo Wop 50's fundraiser shows.

[Gasworker]

Mr. Spock passing the puck (Canadian term of endearment) makes me feel a little older today.

[Smitty70]

My second new car purchase is now antique. Like the song says, "I'm not as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was".

[SongwriterFan]

Originally Posted by HHP

The only place I seem to grow new hair are my ears.

And are your ears getting larger? Or does the face just get smaller?

THAT'S what I really noticed about old men. Fortunately, I'm not there yet.

[SongwriterFan]

Originally Posted by msbedard

As an example, yesterday I asked a co-worker to give me the "Reader's Digest version". She had no idea what I had just said......

Try saying something like "he needs to learn to bargain like Mr. Haney" . . . . . crickets.

[Marty1]

Originally Posted by Twelvefret

If I understand existentialism, it is existence over essence. Based on that concept, how did the episode give you an existential feeling?

I meant it in the colloquial sense of making me think about questions of existence, meaning, the experience of time etc. I wasn't talking about the philosophical movement per-se. Maybe more akin to how existential psychology would use the term.

Existentialism itself is a complex movement with many strands but at its root is the idea that truth about the human condition can't be ascertained through instrumental reason or rationalism only, or at all--depending on who you ask. Philosophy, for a great deal of its history, had been concerned with finding the essence of things in themselves through the exercise of reason (think Plato's forms for e.g. or Aristotle's discussion of substance) and this idea was taken up by modernist thinkers through to the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. Existentialism as a movement can be said to arise out of frustration with this idea (of essences).

The formulation you gave is that of Sartre, "existence precedes essence", meaning the essence of things is not found in the things in themselves but is 'given' to us in the experience of things. That phrase is an epistemological claim, not a concept or a type of feeling. It overturned a lot of what people had been thinking for centuries, and gave rise to a lot of new concepts and did encourage certain feelings (dread, angst, joy etc..), but the phrase "existence precedes essence" is just Sartre's version of how we can know things.

It's great to see another person on this forum with an interest in philosophy! What is your favorite thinker or tradition? Anyone else here into philosophy as a hobby or as part of their work/studies?

[DaveKell]

A few years back I was at city hall with my younger brother applying for a permit. I saw someone I was acquainted with and went up to speak to them. When I introduced my brother to them they asked "is this your son?". I went out that afternoon and bought some Just for Men hair coloring.

[Brucebubs]

Things that make me feel old are;
-Reversing the car
-Finding areas where the speed limit feels too high
-i anything
-Small type
-Ear, nose and back hair
-Afternoon naps
-My reflection in a mirror
-My childhood photos are all black and white
-Every band I followed in the 60's has at least one member passed away

[philo426]

Yeah I just turned 50 in October and realize I am middle aged but still think of myself as a young person despite my grey hair.Luckily my health is still good(knock on wood) but a sobering thought when your childhood icons pass on.

[Andromeda]

I'm 51 and what makes me feel old is that my daughter will be 30 in two years. I cannot relate to today's music. My favorite music was recorded 40 years ago. My heroes have died (John Denver, John Lennon, George Harrison and now Leonard Nimoy) and the ones the ones that are still living, Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are also getting up there.

I watched the movie Titanic the other day and its difficult to believe that in 2 years the movie will be 20 years old!

[Wardo]

I'm 59 and still going pretty good. Had a good life and more fun than most so if I cashed in my chips tomorrow I really couldn't complain.