Up for the challenge
As editor of the Beacon, and an advocate for older adults throughout the area, I spend a good part of my day reading and thinking about the short- and long-term challenges that face us as individuals and confront our rapidly aging society as a whole. Sometimes these can feel like intractable problems, and when that happens, it can get dispiriting. Fortunately, I get to... READ MORE
A time for thanks
I want to thank the thousands of Beacon readers and their guests who attended our two 50+Expos in October. I think those who came will agree that it was wonderful to be together with other people, and simply to be out and about on a beautiful day, visiting the informative exhibits, getting essential vaccines and health screenings, and enjoying a fun, public event. I was especially... READ MORE
Where do we go from here?
Have you ever had a near-death experience? Of course, each day in our lives we’re one day nearer to our deaths. That’s the nature of the human condition. But those who’ve had what is now called a near-death experience (known as an NDE) have the sensation of having “died and gone to heaven,” and then return to life. The term is frequently applied to those who may have... READ MORE
In appreciation
The Beacon has been blessed with an amazing group of dedicated, talented employees throughout our 34 years in business. Typically, every fall I devote a column to thanking our staff and our freelance writers. I will do so again later this year. But today, I want to write in appreciation of an employee who retired from the Beacon many years ago. I am sorry to report the recent passing... READ MORE
No simple answers
I believe there’s a basic human drive to answer questions, solve problems, and develop new technologies to make life better. Sometimes the solutions are what scientists call “elegant.” That’s when a problem lends itself to a simple, straightforward solution. Unfortunately, life tends to be complicated, and sometimes we fail to predict the full impact of our solutions. Other... READ MORE
What to make of AI?
Efforts to develop computer systems capable of “artificial intelligence,” or AI, have been underway and making progress for decades. What is AI? In brief, it’s the ability of computer applications to understand language and answer questions or solve problems in a human-like way. Some signs of the success of these efforts include the current embedding of AI into our daily lives... READ MORE
Layers of reality
Since the invention of microscopes and telescopes some four centuries ago, our view of the world around us and the universe in which we live has changed markedly. What we used to believe about how our bodies worked, how stars and planets moved, and the very nature of reality have been repeatedly disrupted by new knowledge thanks to scientists and their steady improvement in developing... READ MORE
From ageism to age pride
[Ed. Note: In honor of May, Older Americans Month, we are pleased to excerpt this essay, which appeared in the Jan./Feb. issue of Generations Today, a publication of the American Society on Aging, www.asaging.org.] It doesn’t take a lot of head-scratching to realize that much of our apprehension around aging is really about how our minds and bodies might change as we move through... READ MORE
Who’s your real friend?
You probably either watched or read about the impromptu exchange at the recent State of the Union address between President Biden and congressional Republicans concerning Social Security. Did the rare display of politicians apparently in agreement that Social Security is “not to be touched” give you goosebumps — or chills? I ask it that way because I firmly believe that any... READ MORE
Critical thinking
As I’ve noted in earlier columns, I was rather critical as a youngster. (Some would say I haven’t changed all that much.) My parents and older brother weren’t always thrilled with my perfectionist attitude about, well, pretty much everything when I was growing up. Fortunately, my family didn’t just sit there and take it. They argued back. Especially my brother, whom our father... READ MORE
From the Publisher 2024
