Again, I appreciate and acknowledge your work in enabling seniors with new possibilities for their future. But who you are, generally speaking, is about 18% of the U.S. population. Of those 18%, 20% (11 million total in the U.S.) can recognize and are ready to break free from the cultural conversations about growing old. What I see as missing and needed is developing seniors into Elders so they are legitimately seated at the table with decision-makers about the future. Right now we are not invited. Wisdom unheard is wisdom lost. Another point is that all businesses need funding, revenue, cash flow, leadership, and management. I myself am a Social Enterprise, which, like all Social Enterprises, is not recognized by the IRS. So the business expression, no matter how configured, has real Federal and State tax liabilities. And regulatory compliance and management of a non-profit, where generating funding is a significant function, is not feasible for most seniors. So it's not just having an idea for a business, going through all the things that make a business real, and developing the wherewithal to advance in the business ecosystem; it's operationalizing the business and continuously funding its operations. Believe me, I understand these problems. I live them every day at my own enterprise, The Contemporary Elder Institute.
I deeply appreciate the intentions, manifestations, and possibilities you’re generating for late aging. It’s a wonderful contribution.
But there’s a missing question sitting in the middle of all this: What future are you actually growing old into?
A future defined by obsolescence, uselessness, and being seen as a burden?
As a community, you’re clearly enhancing your members’ aliveness, self-expression, joy, equanimity, and play. That’s undeniable. Certainly needed and wanted.
But with all your wisdom and all your lived experience, how will you reshape a culture where youth is king, knowledge is honored over wisdom, and Elders are not invited to the tables where the future is determined?
Until that question is faced, the work is incomplete.
Hi Mark, as a social enterprise we host a variety of activities to support healthy ageing including our award winning programme, Startup School for Seniors which helps over 50s turn an idea into a business. Our website/Substack has been referenced by psychologists as a resource to help those struggling with the prevailing ageing narrative that age=obsolete. Our awards champion those working in the ageing space trying to improve the lives of older people.
That is part of the ongoing dialogue that we are having in our FB group. It's not missing, it's very much something we are leaning into. We are supporting each other to grow into a future that we are shaping. Of course we haven't solved everything ha ha but we are constantly discussing how it is and how it can be. We don't pretend to have wisdom...we have open minds and curious spirits. We share our vulnerabilities in the face of getting older. We are positive but we don't pretend. We believe in the power of community. @SuzanneNoble @markelliot run start up for seniors, Suzanne runs sex advice for seniors, I edit a magazine here that reflects ageing differently...I am doing an MA in Poetry Writing at 72, Suzanne is a jazz singer....we don't feel useless!!
Again, I appreciate and acknowledge your work in enabling seniors with new possibilities for their future. But who you are, generally speaking, is about 18% of the U.S. population. Of those 18%, 20% (11 million total in the U.S.) can recognize and are ready to break free from the cultural conversations about growing old. What I see as missing and needed is developing seniors into Elders so they are legitimately seated at the table with decision-makers about the future. Right now we are not invited. Wisdom unheard is wisdom lost. Another point is that all businesses need funding, revenue, cash flow, leadership, and management. I myself am a Social Enterprise, which, like all Social Enterprises, is not recognized by the IRS. So the business expression, no matter how configured, has real Federal and State tax liabilities. And regulatory compliance and management of a non-profit, where generating funding is a significant function, is not feasible for most seniors. So it's not just having an idea for a business, going through all the things that make a business real, and developing the wherewithal to advance in the business ecosystem; it's operationalizing the business and continuously funding its operations. Believe me, I understand these problems. I live them every day at my own enterprise, The Contemporary Elder Institute.
And we are in the UK...
Best. Photo. Ever.
I deeply appreciate the intentions, manifestations, and possibilities you’re generating for late aging. It’s a wonderful contribution.
But there’s a missing question sitting in the middle of all this: What future are you actually growing old into?
A future defined by obsolescence, uselessness, and being seen as a burden?
As a community, you’re clearly enhancing your members’ aliveness, self-expression, joy, equanimity, and play. That’s undeniable. Certainly needed and wanted.
But with all your wisdom and all your lived experience, how will you reshape a culture where youth is king, knowledge is honored over wisdom, and Elders are not invited to the tables where the future is determined?
Until that question is faced, the work is incomplete.
Hi Mark, as a social enterprise we host a variety of activities to support healthy ageing including our award winning programme, Startup School for Seniors which helps over 50s turn an idea into a business. Our website/Substack has been referenced by psychologists as a resource to help those struggling with the prevailing ageing narrative that age=obsolete. Our awards champion those working in the ageing space trying to improve the lives of older people.
I think the term “baby bloomers” may be more appropriate for us! lol!
That is part of the ongoing dialogue that we are having in our FB group. It's not missing, it's very much something we are leaning into. We are supporting each other to grow into a future that we are shaping. Of course we haven't solved everything ha ha but we are constantly discussing how it is and how it can be. We don't pretend to have wisdom...we have open minds and curious spirits. We share our vulnerabilities in the face of getting older. We are positive but we don't pretend. We believe in the power of community. @SuzanneNoble @markelliot run start up for seniors, Suzanne runs sex advice for seniors, I edit a magazine here that reflects ageing differently...I am doing an MA in Poetry Writing at 72, Suzanne is a jazz singer....we don't feel useless!!
Are Social Enterprises regulated, taxed, and licensed in the U.K.?