Book

Thomas, William H., 1959-

What are old people for? : how elders will save the world / William H. Thomas.

Acton, Mass. : VanderWyk & Burnham, ©2004.

xii, 370 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

"We live in a society that opposes aging, despite the evidence that each of us is, in fact, aging. This anti-aging bias has prevented us from thinking about old age in a way that feels good or that will create a good elderhood. Removing our ageist blinders, Dr. Thomas provides a motivational and visionary blueprint for old age as a healing force in society."-- Publisher's description.

Older people -- Social conditions.

Older people -- Care.

Old age.

Longevity -- Social aspects.

Intergenerational relations.

Social participation.

Older people.

Longevity.

Social history.

Social ecology.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 356-361) and index.

True longevity -- A new wrinkle -- The doctrine of youth's perfection -- The hidden powers of age -- Myths and other theories -- Becoming human -- A matter of life and death -- Necessity's virtue -- The rise of elderhood -- Old age long ago -- Industrial-strength aging -- Victory -- Navigating life -- Living on the edge of the world -- Old maps -- The way we live now -- Five ages -- Tragedy -- The cult of adulthood -- The assault on childhood -- Adult forever -- The old-age archipelago -- Private grief, public tragedy -- Distant thunder -- The Eden alternative -- Resistance -- Place and no place -- Elderhood's sanctuary -- The green house -- A wink and a smile -- Midwife of elderhood -- The first Shahbaz -- The problem of protection -- Convivium -- The twofold path -- The ripening -- Elderhood reborn -- On being an elder -- Eldertopia.

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