The philosophy of AGING

Today, a not-so-ethical lecturer of mine showed us a slide show about the philosophy of aging, how peculiar. But anyhow that was another story, the philosophy that he showed us is rather interesting. The basic idea is that, when we are small, to be specific, 10 years old and below, we will be eagerly anticipating to grow up.

For instance, when we are small we would say we are 6 and a half. 6 and a half! We couldn't wait to become 7!

But when we become 30 and above, we never say that we are 30 and a half, 40 and a half, 50 and a half and etc. Somehow, we hope to turn back the time.

Not long after, I found out that it was actually George Carlin's view on aging. I googled him, and realize he was an actor and stand-up comedian. The whole view is quite interesting and inspiring so I cut and paste the whole thing here.

"George Carlin's Views on Aging

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.

'How old are you?' 'I'm four and a half!' You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key.

You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.

'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life ! You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony.YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!

But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling.. What's wrong? What's changed?

You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone...

But! wait!! ! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40,REACH 50 and make it to 60.

You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!

You get into ! your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; 'I Was JUST 92.'

Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. 'I'm 100 and a half!'
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!! "

How interesting. Next time, ask me my age during my 30's and above, I will answer you this:

"I am 55 years old and....

still looking handsome!"