“You’re Well Old Miss”

I am not “well old”. Am I?

According to a spritely year seven boy I have been put into that bracket because I’ve passed the age of 20. Isn’t it rather strange that age is something no one appears able to perceive realistically? It’s true that there are gaps in one’s thinking where age is concerned. I consider those above the age of 50 to be old, and yet they would tell me they are not.

Age is a constant worry throughout society. I, being “old”, listen to the news every morning to keep in touch with the world. It was a few days ago that I heard that around 75% of infants born in the twenty first century are likely to reach the age of 100 or older. So 50 really is the new middle age, unlike the 30 – 40 bracket previously heard of. Yet I still understand it in my head to be “old”. I, like many others can not perceive age re

alistically. There is something about number that causes complication. Personally I blame infinity for such confusion. It really is impossible to understand something that never ends.

Now how is this rant about age and perceptions going to relate to my interests? You are probably thinking that I’m pretty angry at being classed as old. My mind, being as strange as it is, was not, but stored such a comment for later observations and it is tonight I remembered it and it made me being to think...

An item I find rather interesting, and is quite famous currently, in the media is that of Euthanasia and the ability for one to commit suicide in a manner that is seen to be both legal and advertised as dignified to those who choose it. If people are living l

onger and yet these same people have the opportunity to end their life prematurely then how does this fit together, morally, ethically or understandably? I am yet to meet

anyone over the age of 80 who is completely satisfied with their life. They find they are surrounded by death and health problems. I will admit now that there are exceptions to the rule and this is not judgement on society as a whole, but like previous and future posts, it is my personal observations and analysis of situations occurring.

The Euthanasia debate is filled with suspicion of intent, care, or lack of either. Do people want to live for those around them, for religious superstition i.e. hell awaits those who commit suicide, for fear of the law or are they living for themselves? Similarly do those travelling to such places a Switzerland (offering legal euthanasia) want to end their lives for those around them, for fear of damaging their pride and doing it for themselves? I do not wish to delve into deep understandings of these questio

ns, I invite you to merely think of the consequences of both. I particularly encourage thought regarding media, and the affect we have upon other people directly, indirectly and through bigger choices like government which frames the society in which we live.

Humanity is a large community, and we have previously failed at living harmoniously. Are we failing still? It is clear we do in many areas but longer life and the possibility of legal euthanasia appears to be another strain on our community living. We provide amazing opportunities for longer life and yet those living longer feel like a burden, often their longer life is overcast with pain and suffering. Those who choose to do something about it leave us arguing about whether it is right or not.

I personally have one word to say in answer to this: freewill. You are obviously welcome to your own conclusions. It amazes me every day how we are no longer in charge of our own lives, of our future lives nor of the lives we leave behind. It is told we can not have total freedom as it would cause chaos... but is what we have now not chaos?

I leave you to ponder on thoughts of your own age, your own choices and of your understandings of humanity. Life is no longer short... it is long... live it as best you can... but remember this; the life you live, the choices you make will not only affect you, they affect the futures of those around you and of those left behind.

For your amusement and somewhat related:

Judaism

So my first blog is inspired by my current working environment.

A few days ago orthodox Jews descended upon the accommodation I currently serve as a receptionist. I, being the religious fanatic (interest wise rather than practice wise) was rather excited about this. My colleagues, with exception to one, were the complete opposite. I didn't expect much excitement from them, but perhaps a little interest and most importantly a little respect. Instead, the complaints piled in. "They're so pretentious, arrogant, rude…" The preconceptions coming out of their mouths were actually unbelievable.

Religion and issues surrounding it have always been on the front line of the media battle. I wonder… is the media to blame for such preconceptions faced by so many different religious factions. The current battles faced in Israel, currently divided in two, only demonstrates the hardships that religions face. Notably, in some instances it is their historical documents causing the issue, and yet the majority are quite happy to have such a division. The extremists are those who cause the issues, and so do they cause the preconceptions? I can be sure of one thing, it is very wrong to tarnish a group with the same brush. Perhaps it is simply a generation thing? Admittedly, most of my colleagues are double my age; however, the single person who did not have a bad word to say is of this age also.

Judaism is enriched with cultural history and a sense of belonging and their arrogance is misinterpreted from their sense of pride. They do complain a lot, but their standards are high, our societies standards are not so and those who are simply British (rather than religious and British) are renowned for living with their situation rather than complaining.

Over the last few days I have laughed with orthodox Jewish men, I’ve spoken to well educated girls and argued reasonably with the women. I can’t really say that about my fellow breed of unreligious persons. The men leer, the children are uncontrollable and the women are insufferable.

So I say to anyone who sides with my colleagues, look at your own society before you judge another’s.

[No offence is meant by the image displayed. Currently, Jews do win.]