Dr. Ellen Langer

That's exactly wrong, Andrew. That used to be the case. This is the way we learn everything. You start the way things are right now, that when you skid, we were told that what you're supposed to do is gently hit the brake and turn into the... Now that there are anti-lock brakes, the only way, the safest way to stop that car is to jam on those brakes.

But just think about it because this is the way we learn everything. In this case, you're learning how to drive for safety's sake. And then you mindlessly continue that and it becomes very unsafe. I didn't get the memo. No, most people don't. That's why I brought it up now seeming apropos of almost nothing.

But just think about it because this is the way we learn everything. In this case, you're learning how to drive for safety's sake. And then you mindlessly continue that and it becomes very unsafe. I didn't get the memo. No, most people don't. That's why I brought it up now seeming apropos of almost nothing.

But just think about it because this is the way we learn everything. In this case, you're learning how to drive for safety's sake. And then you mindlessly continue that and it becomes very unsafe. I didn't get the memo. No, most people don't. That's why I brought it up now seeming apropos of almost nothing.

But we need to understand that things are changing and pay attention to the way that they're changing and change with it. And the more you hold yourself – you're talking about identity – the more you hold yourself still – the harder that's going to be. I'm much older, as most people are, than I used to be, but I don't have any sense of age. I really don't.

But we need to understand that things are changing and pay attention to the way that they're changing and change with it. And the more you hold yourself – you're talking about identity – the more you hold yourself still – the harder that's going to be. I'm much older, as most people are, than I used to be, but I don't have any sense of age. I really don't.

But we need to understand that things are changing and pay attention to the way that they're changing and change with it. And the more you hold yourself – you're talking about identity – the more you hold yourself still – the harder that's going to be. I'm much older, as most people are, than I used to be, but I don't have any sense of age. I really don't.

In fact, the other day, and the other day now means years ago, I was helping this woman with something, and somebody dear to me said, you're probably 20 years older than she is. I had no sense. I thought I was helping this old person. age is just not a relevant factor for me. Sometimes you want to be aware of age.

In fact, the other day, and the other day now means years ago, I was helping this woman with something, and somebody dear to me said, you're probably 20 years older than she is. I had no sense. I thought I was helping this old person. age is just not a relevant factor for me. Sometimes you want to be aware of age.

In fact, the other day, and the other day now means years ago, I was helping this woman with something, and somebody dear to me said, you're probably 20 years older than she is. I had no sense. I thought I was helping this old person. age is just not a relevant factor for me. Sometimes you want to be aware of age.

We did some research where we had people who, you know, they're accused in the environment that often tell us how old we are, and those are not always so good. So for example, if I, at my age, I'm in a fancy store and I go to buy, let's say, a dress, a skirt, okay? It would be inappropriate for me to buy a miniskirt. I'm too old to be wearing almost nothing there, right?

We did some research where we had people who, you know, they're accused in the environment that often tell us how old we are, and those are not always so good. So for example, if I, at my age, I'm in a fancy store and I go to buy, let's say, a dress, a skirt, okay? It would be inappropriate for me to buy a miniskirt. I'm too old to be wearing almost nothing there, right?

We did some research where we had people who, you know, they're accused in the environment that often tell us how old we are, and those are not always so good. So for example, if I, at my age, I'm in a fancy store and I go to buy, let's say, a dress, a skirt, okay? It would be inappropriate for me to buy a miniskirt. I'm too old to be wearing almost nothing there, right?

So clothing tells you how old the person is. Now, we did research, just archival research, with people who wore uniforms, right? Now, if you're wearing a uniform from the first day you start working, you're there 30 years, there's no difference. Okay. There's no age-relevant cue. And in those situations are healthier. Really? Yeah. Because they're not getting the cue that they're old.

So clothing tells you how old the person is. Now, we did research, just archival research, with people who wore uniforms, right? Now, if you're wearing a uniform from the first day you start working, you're there 30 years, there's no difference. Okay. There's no age-relevant cue. And in those situations are healthier. Really? Yeah. Because they're not getting the cue that they're old.

So clothing tells you how old the person is. Now, we did research, just archival research, with people who wore uniforms, right? Now, if you're wearing a uniform from the first day you start working, you're there 30 years, there's no difference. Okay. There's no age-relevant cue. And in those situations are healthier. Really? Yeah. Because they're not getting the cue that they're old.

Yeah, I do actually. I think that when we start entertaining these negative thoughts and evaluating ourselves, we're always going to find evidence. As you get older, you start, oh, my God, am I forgetful? So you pay attention each time you forget, and that makes it even worse. When I said to my students in this health class, smart kids at Harvard, this is on Thursday. I teach Tuesday and Thursday.

Yeah, I do actually. I think that when we start entertaining these negative thoughts and evaluating ourselves, we're always going to find evidence. As you get older, you start, oh, my God, am I forgetful? So you pay attention each time you forget, and that makes it even worse. When I said to my students in this health class, smart kids at Harvard, this is on Thursday. I teach Tuesday and Thursday.

Yeah, I do actually. I think that when we start entertaining these negative thoughts and evaluating ourselves, we're always going to find evidence. As you get older, you start, oh, my God, am I forgetful? So you pay attention each time you forget, and that makes it even worse. When I said to my students in this health class, smart kids at Harvard, this is on Thursday. I teach Tuesday and Thursday.

I said, what was the last thing I said in class on Tuesday? Nobody remembers. I said, you must be getting dementia. All right. So that when a young person forgets, it's okay. They don't pay any attention to the forgetting. As you get older and you forget, you get less involved in what you're doing.