Pre-Boomer Musings

Nearly a quarter of the time Americans spend online is devoted to social networking, according to a recent Nielsen study.  This represents a 43% increase in share-of-time spent for the biggest single online activity.  Blogs are included in the popular social networking sector.

Image by Valerie Reneé via Flickr

Online games are second, accounting for just over 10% of the users’ time.  The only other activity showing an increase was video/movies ranking sixth at almost 4%.  In June 2010 a major milestone was reached when the number of online videos streamed surpassed the 10 billion mark.  Consumers in this country spend an average of 3 hours and 15 minutes viewing videos each month.

All age groups are increasing their usage of the Internet, but how they use it and the way the medium is accessed varies.  For instance, early adopters tend to be younger people while older Americans are still getting comfortable with computers.  This may explain why the game sector increased.  E-mailing, a favorite among older users, is third in time spent with 8.3%, but its share has fallen by 28% — the biggest change of all sectors.

Part of the drop in e-mail share was the shift to mobile phones for instant messaging, which had a 4% share of time, but was still off 15% from the previous year.  However, within this sector e-mail leads in time used with 41.6%.  At the same time, social networking on mobile units experienced a 28% rise.

The big unknown is the 34.4% share attributed to the “other” category, which has declined in share by 8 points this year.  Nielsen analyst Dave Martin said, “Despite the almost unlimited nature of what you can do on the web, 40% of U.S. online time is spent on just three activities time spent – social networking, playing games and emailing leaving a whole lot of other sectors fighting for a declining share of the online pie.” 

Trends suggest that for the most part, people — even those addicted to the Internet — exhibit the basic need for contact with another human being.  This is hardly a revelation to New Seniors, those born between 1930 and 1945, or the boomers turning 65.  Interacting with others has always been our preferred means of communicating.  But this need may be amplified with the way younger Americans are willing to embrace new ways of using the Internet for a way to bridge geographic gaps and to get as close as possible with those receiving messages, even though personal contact was restricted.

At NewSeniors.com, we make it simple by using new technology to connect with those 65+ in order to provide news, information and entertainment as well as a forum for expression and the exchange of ideas to the fastest growing segment within the U.S. population.  Many of us are new to the Internet, but we are learning and enjoying the experience.  If you’re reading this, you are ready to be part of our online community.  So tell your friends to come to our neighborhood where they discover that being 65+ ain’t what it used to be.  That’s why there’s NewSeniors.com.         

Tags: America, How it is. . . // Add Comment »

Starting later this year, the boomers turning 65 will be talked about in the media, not because of something they did but because of something that is happening to them: they are reaching retirement age.  Baby boomers are newsworthy partly because of the size of this demographic and due to the non-conforming nature of  this group that has been responsible for dramatic changes in the way America thinks and acts.

Image by StevenM_61 via Flickr

The Greatest Generation has received accolades from the press for many years.  And rightfully so.  Pre-boomers, those born during the Great Depression and WWII, made important contributions to the country, but were sandwiched between two generations.  So this group was not talked about as a generation.  Their accomplishments tended to be looked at as things done by individuals rather than a generation.  Yet people are beginning to recognize that this is the bridge generation that links the past to the present.

With the boomers turning 65, beginning in 2010 and continuing at the rate if one every ten seconds, we can expect this generation to be in the limelight once more.  The focus will not be about their early protests for civil and women’s rights or against the war in Vietnam and the soldiers who fought there.  They will not be celebrating the free love, drug use or any of the changes they instituted or supported in their self-absorbed youth.  No, this time the news will be that those who once said, “never trust anyone over 30,” will be signing up for Medicare and looking forward to collecting Social Security checks.

Getting older is not the sad part.  Consider the alternative.  What is too bad is many of the “me generation” are not prepared for what is about to happen in their lives.  True, not all boomers turning 65 will be retiring.  Some will remain on the job because they want to and many will because they must.  Baby boomers often lived for the moment and were not prone to saving for the future.  This generation was given much.  Doors of opportunity were opened wide for them to enjoy.  It was only natural to assume the boomers would embrace the American dream and guard it for generations yet to come.

But something went wrong.  Boomers took what they were freely given, discarded what they didn’t want and kept the rest for themselves.  Sure, there are many exceptions; however, under their tutelage, business became increasingly dishonest and more self-serving, government became free-spending and more arrogant, individuals became less dependent on their own capabilities and more reliant on entitlements. 

Add to that the breakdown of our once-shared traditions and the loss of America’s values, and it’s easy to see why the boomers turning 65 have themselves to blame for the problems to be faced as they enter the next phase of life.  Fortunately, those who have made the journey, the New Seniors who are already 65+, are ready and willing to talk about how we can join forces to create a better tomorrow.  It is not too late to make the future brighter for our children and grand children.  The growing group of concerned citizens 65+ has the power to make positive changes.  Let’s put the plan together and implement it for the benefit of others as well as ourselves.   

Tags: America, Nostalgia, Retirement // Add Comment »

American citizens are hopping mad with government, in their cities, states and with the federal government in Washington.  While 68% of those polled think the political class doesn’t care about what the public thinks, about the same number of politicians’ claim the country is on the right track.  And, elected officials are held in such low esteem that the possibility of a voter revolt in November is quite likely.

Image by UCRARTSblock via Flickr

Disdain for politicians are even greater among older Americans.  Only 13% of those 65+ answered affirmatively when asked if the political class cares.  And 70% of the New Seniors believe politicians in Washington are a threat to the U.S.  .

There are more major races this year than in recent history.  For the first time since 1962, 37 Senate seats are in play, with an equal number of governors to be elected across the nation.  More House seats than usual, 405 out of 435, will be determined through head-to-head competition.  

Incumbents have plenty to worry about, since 67 % of the citizens are unhappy about the direction of the country.  And, 86% of those responding to a recent Rasmussen poll say there should be limits on what the federal government can do.  Only 9% believe the politicians in Washington should be allowed to do most anything they want; for those 65+ this number fell to just 6%.

If the notion of firing long-sitting incumbents prevails, the party in power may be out of power very soon.  The above numbers indicate that the policies of the current government are not popular with most Americans.  Passing laws that the populace clearly opposes causes concerns.  And when the legislation costs too much and/or does not accomplish the promised goals, the voters become restless.  They feel ignored and irrelevant.  They want some of the control back and believe the way to do this is at the ballot box.  Even if they don’t vote, people everywhere want to be part of the political discussion.

Why don’t people vote?  Some were hopeful in 2008 but became disenchanted with the results since then.  Others, particularly the younger voters, simply wanted to be part of a history-making event, much like when JFK was elected.  One party may be discouraged and the other may think they’ve already won; both attitudes reduce voter turnout.  

In spite of the historic proportions of this year’s mid-term elections, only 40% of adults will vote in November compared to 63% in the presidential election in 2008.  This is sad, but it makes the voices of those who do vote even louder.  For instance, the 65+ voter is expected to account for upwards of 30% of the ballots cast, which means New Seniors could affect the outcome of virtually every race nationwide.

New Seniors are experienced voters.  We know that talk is no substitute for action.  And this election may be the most important one of our voting careers, so we can’t sit on the sidelines and watch, because our opinions won’t count unless we cast our votes.     

Tags: America, Current Events, Government // Add Comment »

Jumping on the running board at the end of the block and riding home with dad when he came back from work, climbing up the rocks to the top of a waterfall, floating down the river on an old tire inner-tube were life experiences.  These fun moments can no longer be experienced by today’s children due to design and technical changes as well as parents’ ever-present fears that their child might be hurt.  Maybe that’s why people don’t take risks when it comes to other areas of their lives.

Image by Pink Sherbet Photography via Flickr

Pre-boomer, those born between 1930 and 1945, grew up in a time when bumps and bruises, including those to the ego, were part of the maturation process.  The boys often resolved their differences by having a fist fight after school on the playground, which didn’t last long and no one got hurt too badly.  Short of this, beating someone in a sports activity was a way to determine who won.  This was the way many of us dealt with bullies.  Girls had their own ways of  working out their differences, which the guys never quite understood.  For either of the genders, we did not need adult supervision or intervention to establish and keep law and order.

Today’s kids are protected from all harm, real or perceived.  A game of dodge ball is not a violent activity.  Falling and scraping a knee or and elbow does not exempt a child from participating in future physical activities.  And, being picked last to play on a team is no reason to cry.  If it bothers a child so much, let them practice more and get better.  This goes beyond sports.  Playing the piano, dancing, reading and math all require practice to get better.  What’s wrong with that?  Isn’t this how life works?

My kids, now in there late thirties and early forties grew up this way.  Partly because I did not spend a great deal of time with them and partly because I believed they needed to be self-reliant.  It seemed to serve them well when circumstances affected their careers, finances and relationships.  Sure, they suffered physical or emotional discomfort along the way, because life deals these things out without regard to the individual.  I found the best preparation for unexpected problems was for them to experience as much as possible, and try not to restrict them from doing the things they deemed to be important.

By not trying to keep an eye on the kids every step of the way, they learned on their own about success and failure.  If they got hurt, it was up to them to get up and back in the game.  They weren’t told they had to, but they were encouraged to finish what they started and be the best they could at what they did.  I’m grateful the grand children are being given the same opportunities to participate in life.  Although, I must admit, they have the protective gear and the state-of-the-art equipment my generation never had.

As a grand parent, I have the good fortune of being able to share the enjoyable moments of my childhood with them as well as some of the more difficult ones where I learned some of life’s most important lessons.  This is my primary responsibility today.  That and savoring the time we spend together and can see firsthand how they are learning and growing into the kinds of kids they were meant to be.  Is life good or what?

Tags: America, Nostalgia // Add Comment »

There’s been a lot of press surrounding GM’s introduction of the new electric car, the Volt.  Going for over $41,000, this car is designed to create interest in “green” vehicles made in America by an American company.  The administration and the government owned auto maker hail this a  first step in reducing our dependence on fossil fuel, but critics are doubtful and consumers don’t seem to be ready to buy green cars, particularly those 65+.

Image via Wikipedia

A recent Rasmussen poll showed all but 16% of adults followed news stories about electric cars.  Of the total sample, 37% said they were likely to buy one in the next decade, but among New Seniors that number fell to only 21%.   And 48% of the people surveyed were more likely to buy an electric car because of high gas prices than the 29% who would do so because it’s good for the environment.  Asked if they would pay an additional $15,000 to buy an electric car, 81% said no and for New Seniors that number grew to nearly 9 out of 10 saying they were not likely to spend the extra money.

Regarding the government involvement in electric cars, 48 % of  those polled believed tax credits should be provided to those making cars using alternative fuel, but less than a third of those 65+ felt that way.  On subsidizing electric car research, 44% said yes, but only 26% of New Seniors agreed.  When it came to receiving a tax credit of $7,500 for buying an electric car, 65% of adults said this would not cause them to purchase and 78% of those 65 and older said no.  In fact, 55% of the sample did not think the government should provide a tax break to buyers, which rose to 63% with New Seniors.

Generally, consumers are willing to let the marketplace determine what cars should be made.  America is a buying country and knows what it wants.  Big cars were fine when gas was cheap, but the first oil crisis changed that and Detroit was slow to react, giving the smaller, more efficient imports the opportunity to crack the market.  The SUV craze stopped a couple of years ago when gas prices soared.  This sent the big three into a tail spin.  While electric cars will carve out a market, the share will not be a big nor develop as fast as Detroit and Washington would like.

This brings us back to the Volt.  The name is strong, but the design has been morphed into that of a car selling for about have the price.  The comfort factor has been compromised in order to accommodate the battery, and the vehicle only seats four.  It will only go 40 miles on a charge before having to switch to gas – not enough for many people to travel to and from work or run around town doing errands.  Using standard household power, it requires a 12 to 14 hour charge.  Owners will have to get home early at night so the car will be ready in the morning.  Otherwise, it will be necessary to switch to the gas mode.  This could be expensive, because the Volt uses only premium gasoline.

There are people who will be enthusiastic about this car, but it may be concentrated among the fringe few.  One thing is obvious, as the numbers above indicate, the New Seniors are not likely to be Volt buyers.    

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