Aging America

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

Aging America

The median age of Americans reached an all-time high of 38.9 in 2022, according to data released yesterday from the US Census Bureau. The figure implies half of Americans were younger than 38.9 years last year, while half were older. The median age is up by 0.2 years from 2021 and is nearly half of the average life expectancy of Americans, which was 76.1 in 2022. The median age in 2000 was 35.3, and in 1980, it was 30 (see chart). The census data also revealed 17 states had a median age above 40 in 2022, with Maine (44.8) and New Hampshire (43.3) leading the group. The states with the lowest median age were Utah (31.9), the District of Columbia (34.8), and Texas (35.5). Hawaii (40.7) saw the largest increase in its median age, up 0.4 years from 2021. No state saw a decrease. Observers say the US data reflect the aging population worldwide. See global data on median ages here (from 2020). From 1440 - a good source of current news without an opinion. Enjoying today's email? SHARE 1440 WITH A FRIEND

 

[4hfarms]

Shouldn't we be smarter as a nation, as in, no longer a majority of young and dumb.

 

[50/50Farms]

Shouldn't we be smarter as a nation, as in, no longer a majority of young and dumb.

Hah, no.

 

[1982vett]

Shouldn't we be smarter as a nation, as in, no longer a majority of young and dumb.

Many of the "young and dumb" of yesterday....while older are still dumb and raised/raising even a dumber dumb.....

 

[Ky hills]

Many of the "young and dumb" of yesterday....while older are still dumb and raised/raising even a dumber dumb.....

A lot of truth to that.

 

[Mark Reynolds]

Shouldn't we be smarter as a nation, as in, no longer a majority of young and dumb.

Wishful thinking. Dumb might be on an even keel. Stubbornness though........

 

[Caustic Burno]

A lot of truth to that.

I read an article a while back about the declining IQ of Americans. Wished I had saved it. Basically described several factors contributing to the decline.

 

[coachg]

Taught high school for 30 years . Always amazed the dumbest girl always hooked up with the dumbest guy . I use to tell the young teachers that I hoped I retired before their kids made it to my class . I did teach a few of those 2nd generation scholars. It wasn't pretty.

 

[alacowman1]

Shouldn't we be smarter as a nation, as in, no longer a majority of young and dumb.

Think we reached our peak in the 90s..

 

[ClinchValley86]

Glad I was born in the 80s.

 

[Travlr]

It's become fashionable to be stubborn, and extreme. Tribal, loyalty at the expense of reason. Few people listen and hear, and then take the time to think. It takes most people an average of twenty seconds to become invested in a conclusion that is given to them by others, most likely accepted as truth because it is popular opinion within their circle.

 

[50/50Farms]

It's become fashionable to be stubborn, and extreme. Tribal, loyalty at the expense of reason. Few people listen and hear, and then take the time to think. It takes most people an average of twenty seconds to become invested in a conclusion that is given to them by others, most likely accepted as truth because it is popular opinion within their circle.

It's not surprising. Every empire in which cultural disparity between sections of the empire is highlighted has either fallen or Balkanized. As far as tribalism, also only natural, because if this thing goes udders up you'd better have it figured out which side you're on.

 

[alacowman1]

It's not surprising. Every empire in which cultural disparity between sections of the empire is highlighted has either fallen or Balkanized. As far as tribalism, also only natural, because if this thing goes udders up you'd better have it figured out which side you're on.

It will,and I have..

 

[kenny thomas]

Glad I was born in the 80s.

I have boots that old.

 

[Travlr]

It's not surprising. Every empire in which cultural disparity between sections of the empire is highlighted has either fallen or Balkanized. As far as tribalism, also only natural, because if this thing goes udders up you'd better have it figured out which side you're on.

And yet the very thing that ruins governments, societies, and civilizations is when tribalism gets out of hand and the fanatics take over. The reasoned middle is always where the best chance of solutions exist. And when everything implodes the zealots that "win" don't very often get what they thought they'd get. If you look at most revolutions they end terribly far more often than they end well.

 

[ClinchValley86]

I have boots that old.

Most Impressive!

I do feel fortunate that smart phones came into existence after I was out of school.

 

[chaded]

Most Impressive!

I do feel fortunate that smart phones came into existence after I was out of school.

I was born in the 80's as well. I remember at one point having a pager and using a pay phone to call people back. But that is still advanced technology compared to some of what these guys on here grew up with.

 

[ClinchValley86]

I was born in the 80's as well. I remember at one point having a pager and using a pay phone to call people back. But that is still advanced technology compared to some of what these guys on here grew up with.

Dang right! Two cans and a string, eh?

 

[kenny thomas]

Dang right! Two cans and a string, eh?

Couldn't afford the cans and square hay bale string didn't work well.

 

[50/50Farms]

And yet the very thing that ruins governments, societies, and civilizations is when tribalism gets out of hand and the fanatics take over. The reasoned middle is always where the best chance of solutions exist. And when everything implodes the zealots that "win" don't very often get what they thought they'd get. If you look at most revolutions they end terribly far more often than they end well.

You missed the most important part.

The first people killed after a revolution are the spare revolutionaries.