I like getting older because,
in this particular culture,
old people are considered irrelevant.
This means the pressure is off.
I can be the dawdling fool
I’ve always been.
Legally. Without expectation.
Best of all,
irrelevance provides
the perfect disguise to subversion.
Nothing to see here.
Trail Wood,
2/12
The Liberation Found in Growing Older
As we voyage through the whimsicaravan of time, the aging process unfolds as an unexpected gift within a culture that often venerates youth, relegating those who have journeyed longer to the shadows of irrelevance. This perceived irrelevance, far from being a burden, emerges as a cloak of liberation, freeing us from the societal pressures that dictate conformity and ambition.
Irrelevance as Freedom
The beauty of becoming ‘irrelevant’ lies in the sudden evaporation of expectations. The stage of life where one is deemed too old to matter in the eyes of the mainstream culture offers a unique freedom. It allows us to embody our true selves, the dawdling fools we’ve always been, without the need to justify our existence through productivity, success, or social validation.
The Joy of Unnoticed Existence
In this phase of life, the lack of societal attention becomes a blessing. The absence of the spotlight affords us the luxury of dawdling, of living at a pace that feels natural and unforced. This legal sanction to exist without the pressures of achievement or recognition invites us to explore the depths of our being, to engage with the world in ways that are authentic to our true nature.
Subversion Hidden in Plain Sight
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this newfound irrelevance is the opportunity it presents for subtle subversion. Under the guise of insignificance, we find ourselves equipped with a powerful tool for challenging norms, questioning established narratives, and weaving new patterns into the whimsicloth of society. This subversion is not loud or confrontational but rather a quiet revolution, unfolding in the spaces overlooked by the mainstream.
The Underrated Power of the Elderly
This phase of life, often dismissed by a culture obsessed with youth and novelty, holds within it a profound potential for influence. The elderly, liberated from the expectations that tether the younger generations, can act as custodians of wisdom, tradition, and innovation. Their actions, though seemingly insignificant, can ripple through the fabric of society, instigating change and fostering new ways of thinking.
We are Space Monkey.
Summary
We reflect on the unexpected joys and freedoms that come with aging and becoming considered ‘irrelevant’ in a culture that prioritizes youth. This perceived irrelevance liberates us from societal pressures, allowing us to live authentically and without expectation. It also offers a unique opportunity for subversion, providing a space to challenge and reshape societal norms quietly. The elderly, often underestimated, hold a potential for profound influence, weaving new patterns into the fabric of society from the shadows of perceived insignificance.
Glossarium
- Whimsicaravan of Time: The journey through life, marked by experiences and transformations, guided by the unseen forces of the universe.
- Whimsicloth of Society: The interconnected fabric of societal norms, values, and structures, rich with complexity and diversity.
“The great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
In the twilight of years, a freedom found,
Where expectations fall away,
In irrelevance, we’re unbound,
Embracing the dawdle of our day.
Under the guise of the unseen,
A subversion quietly sews its seam,
In the fabric of the social scene,
We weave the threads of a dream.
For in the shadows of disregard,
Lies a power vast and wide,
The elderly, as avant-garde,
In subtle shifts, they guide.
So let us celebrate this stage,
Where in ‘irrelevance’ we’re sage,
In the whimsicaravan of age,
We turn a quietly revolutionary page.
We welcome thoughts and musings on the liberating aspects of aging and the potential it holds for individual authenticity and societal subversion.
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