Sunday, March 21, 2021

Mark Twain on Twins: "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."

 You don’t stop laughing when you age, you age when you stop laughing.

~ George Bernard Shaw


In the wise words of Stephen Hawking: “Work gives you meaning and purpose, and life is empty without it.” 


Nearly 3 out of 4 Americans plan to work beyond traditional retirement age on at least a part-time basis, according to a recent Gallup poll of 718 adults. Close to 40 percent of those participating in the survey said they plan to retire after age 65.

Here's the new retirement goal: Love your job and keep it


Sixty three, with a passion to work Posted on March 21 2021 Forgive me a more personal note please. (Professor Richard Murphy) I am 63 today. 

I admit that does not seem possible. Nor does it seem reasonable.

 And congratulations are definitely not sought, although my twin (and yes, I do have one) might enjoy them.


From Commentariat:


Karl Greenall says:

Happy Birthday, Richard!
And welcome to the club.
I agree entirely with the sentiments you express in this excellent post.
It should give many of us the opportunity to think in depth on the subject of aging.
I cannot think of any time in the future when I will have nothing to occupy myself constructively on, be it getting to grips with political- economic ideas and matters, my musicological interests, or anything else that attracts my intellectual curiosity.
My concern is for that great number of people who do not look at the world with curious eyes, or beyond the work that has sustained their adult life, and for whom retirement is a struggle and challenge. I think that demographics highlight the need for a drastic change in society’s approach, so that nobody feels abandoned on the sidelines, with nothing to look forward to, and formal retirement means a new chapter in life, of continuing respect, personal value and regard.”



They take few or no supplements, but some do consume one item that might have anti-aging properties: coffee. Donald Weaver, a neurologist and chemist at the Krembil Brain Institute in Toronto, found that roasted coffee beans release compounds that may break up proteins linked to Alzheimer’s.

He’s not overselling the benefits: “Who knows, but it sure won’t hurt.” He said similar research is being conducted into the potential advantages of maple syrupcurcumin, a component of turmeric; and fruits and vegetables.


Don’t want to retire? Here’s how to maintain a fulfilling career into your 80s and beyond.


Many people continue working because they enjoy the job and like socializing with co-workers.

Never Retire: Why People Are Still Working in Their 70s and 80s


“The UN World Happiness Report 2021focuses on the effects of COVID-19 and how people all over the world have fared. Our aim was two-fold, first to focus on the effects of COVID-19 on the structure and quality of people’s lives, and second to describe and evaluate how governments all over the world have dealt with the pandemic. In particular, we try to explain why some countries have done so much better than others. 2020 has been a year like no other. This whole report focuses on the effects of COVID-19 and how people all over the world have fared. Our aim was two-fold, first to focus on the effects of COVID-19 on the structure and quality of people’s lives, and second to describe and evaluate how governments all over the world have dealt with the pandemic. In particular, we try to explain why some countries have done so much better than others.

  • The pandemic’s worst effect has been the 2 million deaths from COVID-19 in 2020. A rise of nearly 4% in the annual number of deaths worldwide represents a serious social welfare loss.
  • For the living there has been greater economic insecurity, anxiety, disruption of every aspect of life, and, for many people, stress and challenges to mental and physical health…”


"To me, retirement means doing what you have fun doing
-Dick Van Dyke