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First, very condescending to assume a certain wisdom comes with age. Downvoted just for that. I think you're completely wrong, especially about 1. Human nature

First, very condescending to assume a certain wisdom comes with age. Downvoted just for that. I think you're completely wrong, especially about 1. Human nature doesn't shape our technological reality, it is becoming more and more obvious that technological reality shapes human culture. And people mistake culture as "nature". Human nature is very plastic, trying to fit any one thing into "human nature" is (this is my humble opinion, please don't be offended) very bigoted.

Oddskar 5y ago
Why is it condescending to state that certain wisdom comes with age?
- niknoble 5y ago
  For the same reason it would be condescending to say that a person is too old to understand something.
  - ectopod 5y ago
    If you are young you surely expect to acquire more knowledge and experience over time. So you should expect to make better decisions in the future. You cannot say that every old person is wiser than every young person, but you can certainly say that older people (before dementure kicks in) are wiser on average. Of course, I didn't believe this when I was young either.
    - civilized 5y ago
      The appreciation and nuanced interpretation of simplified general principles is also a skill that comes with age.
      - gnulinux 5y ago
        There is no conversation we can have if all you say will be "you'll learn with age" especially without knowing other commenters age. You sound nothing other than like a religious zealot.
        civilized 5y ago
        After all that's been said in these comments to explain and nuance this idea, you seem awfully confident in an interpretation that ignores all of it. Instead you assert an extreme, black-and-white, overgeneralized interpretation that has already been repudiated multiple times. I agree that zealotry is best avoided.
        gnulinux 5y ago
        Although you mentioned the word "nuance" in your comments, I don't find your world view particularly nuanced, especially since it's an extremely common one (in US culture I'm aware of it's the standard world view), also one I grew out of throughout my life. As you might agree, it's particularly hard to agree with someone when you used to agree with them and changed your view later with conviction. I imagine this is also why you think my view is un-nuanced. However, please note that cutting people out of discussion "because this is something you'll learn as you age" is not a great way to convince them of something (which may not be your goal).
        civilized 5y ago
        I'm not excluding you from the discussion in the slightest. You've made assertions and I've engaged with those assertions. Because, despite whatever little wisdom I've gained from age, I'm still curious and interested in learning from different perspectives. You've ignored the majority of what I've said, including everything about how age is not a bright dividing line between the wise and the foolish. Evidently you want to keep believing what you believe. So, go ahead and do that. I really can't stop you and don't wish to.
civilized 5y ago
It's okay to me if you disagree with the concept that you'll learn these things with age. I don't think it's condescending for me to think this. I am sure there are people of all ages who are wiser than me, and that I could be wrong in what I am confident about today. If you are confident in your beliefs, go ahead and believe that you're right and I'm wrong. But if you're offended by my statements, I think you're not that confident in your beliefs. On the plasticity of human nature, here are a few of the many unfortunate things that will never be excised from human nature: self-absorption, self-deception, groupthink, dehumanization of the outgroup. Culture can modulate the expression of these things, and if we're lucky, mitigate them somewhat. But they never quite go away. They always find a way to manifest themselves. And it is the people who think they've transcended these things who are most at risk of indulging in their worst excesses. If you don't recognize the durable aspects of human nature, you're setting yourself up to be at best a dupe and a mark, and at worst a monster.

Oddskar 5y ago

Why is it condescending to state that certain wisdom comes with age?

niknoble 5y ago
For the same reason it would be condescending to say that a person is too old to understand something.
- ectopod 5y ago
  If you are young you surely expect to acquire more knowledge and experience over time. So you should expect to make better decisions in the future. You cannot say that every old person is wiser than every young person, but you can certainly say that older people (before dementure kicks in) are wiser on average. Of course, I didn't believe this when I was young either.
  - civilized 5y ago
    The appreciation and nuanced interpretation of simplified general principles is also a skill that comes with age.
    - gnulinux 5y ago
      There is no conversation we can have if all you say will be "you'll learn with age" especially without knowing other commenters age. You sound nothing other than like a religious zealot.
      - civilized 5y ago
        After all that's been said in these comments to explain and nuance this idea, you seem awfully confident in an interpretation that ignores all of it. Instead you assert an extreme, black-and-white, overgeneralized interpretation that has already been repudiated multiple times. I agree that zealotry is best avoided.
        gnulinux 5y ago
        Although you mentioned the word "nuance" in your comments, I don't find your world view particularly nuanced, especially since it's an extremely common one (in US culture I'm aware of it's the standard world view), also one I grew out of throughout my life. As you might agree, it's particularly hard to agree with someone when you used to agree with them and changed your view later with conviction. I imagine this is also why you think my view is un-nuanced. However, please note that cutting people out of discussion "because this is something you'll learn as you age" is not a great way to convince them of something (which may not be your goal).
        civilized 5y ago
        I'm not excluding you from the discussion in the slightest. You've made assertions and I've engaged with those assertions. Because, despite whatever little wisdom I've gained from age, I'm still curious and interested in learning from different perspectives. You've ignored the majority of what I've said, including everything about how age is not a bright dividing line between the wise and the foolish. Evidently you want to keep believing what you believe. So, go ahead and do that. I really can't stop you and don't wish to.

civilized 5y ago

It's okay to me if you disagree with the concept that you'll learn these things with age. I don't think it's condescending for me to think this. I am sure there are people of all ages who are wiser than me, and that I could be wrong in what I am confident about today. If you are confident in your beliefs, go ahead and believe that you're right and I'm wrong. But if you're offended by my statements, I think you're not that confident in your beliefs. On the plasticity of human nature, here are a few of the many unfortunate things that will never be excised from human nature: self-absorption, self-deception, groupthink, dehumanization of the outgroup. Culture can modulate the expression of these things, and if we're lucky, mitigate them somewhat. But they never quite go away. They always find a way to manifest themselves. And it is the people who think they've transcended these things who are most at risk of indulging in their worst excesses. If you don't recognize the durable aspects of human nature, you're setting yourself up to be at best a dupe and a mark, and at worst a monster.