These last two months have also
brought quite a few rainy days so in between the rain showers I have been using
my mental powers with a lot of education programs and reading. There have been
a few shows that had a sort of synchronicity for me; stories about longevity,
retirement and continual education. Subjects that are in my wheel house; what
satisfaction to have my thoughts endorsed and expanded upon. Listening to
various experts and researchers spurred me into mental action and here is some
of what I came up with.
Globally humans are living longer
lives but society has not kept up with that reality. We are still being
educated in the style of the 1880’s where we go to school, finish high school,
some going on to college but once we are finally graduated the vast majority of
people stop learning. Many (and embarrassingly more than there ought to be)
never even open a book again! Initially when we go out into the work force we
may get a little training in the job we are set to but after a few years the
majority of employees are almost robotic in their style of work, regardless of
being in an office environment, factory or in the ditches (so to speak). Even
professional workers often get only minimal upgrades in their training or they
simply go through the motions of reading the materials sent by their profession.
I speak generally, of course.
Currently the model of life is
based on three phases; childhood, working career and retirement at 65. Retirement
used to mean that one had perhaps 10 good years left to enjoy retirement. Today
many of us live to 85, 90 or beyond. So unless you have a good retirement
income where one may travel or indulge in various pleasures and hobbies the
retiree will be living a hand to mouth existence who may hve the option to become
a Walmart greeter? Society is neglecting a whole group of people who are
experienced, vital and still able and willing to contribute to society.
Society needs to make a shift in
educating us from our childhood to embrace lifelong learning as part of our
culture. Continual learning will prepare us for a longer life as well as the
increasing risks of being put out to pasture earlier in our careers. A good
example is the state of Alberta today where a large number of our workforce
lived in the expectancy that oil would be king forever and jobs in that field
(and its knock-off jobs that supported that industry) would be lucrative and
plenty. Along came 2012 when the EU addressed energy efficiency and Oil Sands
took their first major hit the following year; by 2015 with the Paris Accord
things only got worse.
Looking back at yesteryear is
good from a historical perspective but for a politician to hearken back to the
good old days of industry (whatever it may be) is regressive. One needs to keep
pace with the reality of the world and attempting to turn back the clock on
things which are now proven to be poor for the earth is not a good approach.
Politicians, journalists, educators and employers all need to be on board with
The Future since the vast majority of The Public already believe in climate
change and a changing world.
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