Review of "Old Age"
By Michael KinsleyTim Duggan Books, 2016
Review by Bob Lane, MA on May 26th 2016
Michael Kinsley is a columnist at Vanity Fair, a New Yorker contributor, and the founder of Slate. In his most recent book he presents a potpourri of tasty morsels of clever and serious words about life, disease, and death. The essays comprising the book include some jokes, some thoughtful considerations of how to endure a serious disease, recommendations of how to live, and a knockdown argument.
About life: "The easiest way to shuffle off to Buffalo with a good reputation is to earn it legitimately. I you want to be remembered as a good person, then try to be a good person." (14)
About disease: "Parkinson's is not your worst choice." (if you must have a disease) (19) Diagnosed with the disease Kinsley faces it by noticing the three ways to deal with the bad news diagnosis: acceptance, confrontation, or denial. He opts for confrontation "learning as much as possible about the disease" and seeking appropriate treatments, reading the science around the research, and campaigning for more research funds; while at the same time employing denial which means "letting the disease affect your day-to-day life as little as possible." The discussion of Parkinson's and treatment options is extended and informative including a description of brain surgery to implant an electric device useful in dealing with some of the symptoms.
A knockdown argument: Kinsley writes about the research using stem cells and is justifiably angry with the George W. Bush administration for its ill conceived ban on stem cell research. That decree was not only a part of the Republican war on science, but also based on an invalid argument. The administration argued that stem cells come from human embryos, and all human cells have a right to life, stem cells will be destroyed in some research, therefore there shall be no stem cell harvesting for research. However, "the stem cells used . . . come from fertility clinics, which routinely produce multiple embryos for each attempted pregnancy." (31) And yet there was no attempt to ban the entire fertility industry which destroys far more embryos than stem cell research.
About death: A long discussion of ways of dying with statistics from the US Government indicating the odds of making it to 80 years or longer -- straight forward statistics -- just the facts presented clearly.
There are a few jokes (good and bad) in the book, intended I suppose to lighten the tone in this beginner's manual on death and dying. The discussion around preparing for the end of life is practical, useful, and interesting with a suggestion for a grand gift from one generation to the next: a tax on those soon to exit in order to pay down the enormous national debt and relieve the next generations of that debt.
The tone overall is similar to Ecclesiastes in the Hebrew Bible, just not quite as dark. Both texts agree on this: "Find what it is you can do and do it to the best of your ability." And this:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. (Ecclesiastes 3)
© 2016 Bob Lane
Bob Lane is professor emeritus in philosophy at Vancouver Island University.
Resources
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Articles
- Introduction to Aging and Geriatrics
- Aging and Your Eyes
- Aging and Depression
- Alcohol and Aging
- Arthritis
- Can We Prevent Aging?
- Choosing a Doctor You Can Talk To
- Exercise and Physical Activity: Getting Fit for Life
- Fit and Fabulous as You Mature
- Forgetfulness: It's not what you think
- Getting Your Affairs in Order
- 10 Healthy Eating Tips for People Age 65+
- Hearing Loss
- Hormones After Menopause
- Hyperthermia
- Hypothermia
- Medicines and Older Adults
- Osteoporosis: The Bone Thief
- Preventing Falls and Fractures
- Prostate Problems (Men)
- Sexuality in Later Life
- Shots For Safety
- Skin Care and Aging
- Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease
- Urinary Incontinence
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- Why Sleep is Good For Your Brain
- Getting a Jump on Osteoporosis
- Difference Between Alzheimer's and Dementia
- Signals You May be Ready for Joint Replacement
- Seniors and Tai Chi
- We Aren’t Saving For Retirement. This is Why We Must.
- How Much Sleep is Enough?
- Let’s talk about depression – focus on older people
- Follow Your Gut: Microbiomes and Aging
- Exercise Increases Life Expectancy
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29 more
- Keys to Aging Well
- Neurology: Testing for Alzheimer's
- Sleep and Aging
- Recognizing the Early Signs of Dementia
- Improving Muscle Health
- Dementia – it affects us all
- A User's Guide to Healthy Aging
- Hear Better: Quick Tips to Care for your Hearing Aid
- What Do To When You Are Concerned About an Older Driver
- A Better Read on Balance
- Breaking Down Hip Fractures
- How to Keep Your Brain Fit Boost Your Memory and Fight Dementia
- Age Related Muscle Loss
- Natural Disaster Planning Part 1
- Natural Disaster Planning Part 2
- Natural Disaster Planning Part 3
- Living for Longevity: The Nutrition Connection - Research on Aging
- Normal and Abnormal Aging and the Brain
- The 6 Stages of Retirement
- Retirement Well Being
- 6 Questions to Help You Find Meaning in Your Life after Retirement
- Falls Prevention in People with Dementia
- Taking Steps to Prevent Falls
- The Impact of Exercise on Cognitive Functioning
- Using a Computer, Social Activities Tied to Reduced Risk of Memory Decline
- When older adults need a hearing exam
- Addiction in the Elderly
- Healthy Aging: Promoting Well-being in Older Adults
- Comprehensive Planning for Health and Illness
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