Dear Belly,

I coudln't agree more.
Today's teenager is tomorrow's old man.
My mum used to smile and tell me,
(when I'd say - he/she's so old),
she'd say, "Well my dear, you're only
temporarily young!"

And how times change. When I was in my
twenties, I thought anyone over thirty
was "old." When I was in my thirties,
I thought anyone over 40 was old.
Now, it simply doesn't matter. As Suze
and Belly said - it's how you "see"
yourself (and how fit you feel) - that
really matters.
And as far as having the ability to converse
or discuss anything - that's an individual
ability anyway. Take David F, on this Forum.
He's in his eighties - and is truly awesome
in his ability to debate any topic that would
leave many younger posters finding it difficult
to keep up. And he's only one example.

"A man's as old as he feels and a woman's as old as
she looks" - so the old saying goes.
Personally, I think age is merely a number. It's
who you are that really matters.

Very true as usual Foxy.
Being content in who you are is happiness.
Knowing who we once had been too matters.
But in truth we judge one another differently here.
If age truly mattered, if we judged by it, I think we would see people my age ,both sex's saying they are 21m/f

Volunteer for Life Line or something like that if you want to offer life experience to younger people.
I feared I'd get comments like this but at the same time expected it. Actually I expected more than one but would rather see none.
Firstly, why should a "great" Country have a need for Life Line in the first place.
Secondly, because OZ isn't the "great " Country so many try to believe although it hasn't yet reached the absolute insanity of others but we're importing it at a great rate.
Thirdly, the reason for wanting to know age/gender of OLO posters is to see what group is actually trying to positively contribute towards improving the present mass mentality of "the country owes me" i.e why doesn't somebody do something ? How about being that somebody yourself & identify that something ? The reason why we have street kids, poor, victims of crime ets. etc. is directly attributable to everybody thinking to know what should be done but everybody expects it to be done by that elusive "somebody".
Unfortunately, unlike I had hoped, this mentality is indeed not age or gender related but is fuelled by idealistic, cheap off-the-shelf philosophy. Now I'm not accusing any of you lacking integrity. Definately not ! But why not sit back & think hey, philosophizing is well & good but, how does it help help those who are persecuted because we're always looking at our sparkling dishes but never bother to check the sump ourselves ? No, we prefer to get "somebody" to do that.
That was my point of asking for age/gender. You're right, it doesn't matter !

pontificator,

'I would have thought that my ego isn't determined by OLO but what I do in the real world. '

'My self image doesn't depend on respect for either my age or gender but rather what sense I make to the reader. '

I knew it.

Your other ramblings only prove how much younger people's opinions would have even less currency if age was known. Individual is openly patronising, but you sound like 'yeah, most young people seem dumb and stupid, but sometimes they come up with something really worthwhile.' A backhanded compliment if ever I heard one. I fear for all the young people you've patronised over the years in your counselling sessions.

Foxy,

'"A man's as old as he feels and a woman's as old as
she looks" '

I always thought it was 'A man's as old as the woman he feels.'

Suze,

I always think, who people want to be is more revealing than who they actually are. Oh, and don't get like Fraccy will you. When people disagree with you, it may be that it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that you are a woman.

I am afraid Individual, it seems your idea has been flawed.
I do not think an older human can always pass on wisdom to the younger. I also don't see any reason why we need to make clear what gender we are, these things should not matter any more. This is a forum where people discuss matters close to their heart and things that interest of anger them. I just see no benefit in knowing how old someone is or what sex they are.
Sorry.

Houellebecq, < "...and don't get like Fraccy will you. When people disagree with you, it may be that it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that you are a woman."

You could have a point there, although I certainly don't intend to 'get like' anyone else! I intend to be myself, and I still don't believe our age has anything to do with it.

Then again, maybe the anti-female feelings I have had leveled at me are probably due to the topics I choose to comment on.
I am just so over the climate change topics though......