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The case for a blatantly discriminatory Australian voting system
(www.theguardian.com)
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this post was submitted on 03 Aug 2026
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That sounds like your nan might have dementia, because of that you believe everyone over the age of 60 has dementia.
Based on that 'logic' it is okay for me to believe that everyone under 30 is an undereducated, self-absorbed, ai using crypto bro, with the attention span of a pineapple.
We could apply similar 'logic' to every generation.
Oh she has dementia alright, early stages, hence the reference to the Gerontologist. Specifically a doctor who manages conditions with a high association with age. I am not saying that everyone in a certain age bracket has it, just using an example. But let me be clear, someone retaining full capacity of their mental faculties into their twilight years is simply not common enough to be statistically worth talking about. I have worked in industries that intersect with the elderly and know that special provisions have to be made. I also agree that young people are not doing an amazing job of demonstrating competency. But pretending the accumulated wisdom of 70+ years somehow offsets the decline in neuroplasticity is disingenuous at best. I would suggest talking to some people in aged care and asking them how often their clients/patients are the model of rationality and reason.
I am really concerned that society being what it is now, with so many life-related systems compromised by inequitable access to wealth, oligarchical and other types of undemocratic rule, unhealthy food, mind-controlling and body-affecting technology, pollution, etc, etc., we may be in for ever-growing levels of cognitive decline at earlier ages accompanied by growing levels of neurodivergent conditions in children as well as mental health problems in general. We really need to concentrate on the causes of growing unhealth and stick together, not let the system make us more defensive and isolated. Know the real enemy.
We are also in a period where we can acknowledge that people exist on a spectrum and people change. My youngest son has ADHD, we got him treatment, support and flexible learning arrangements that mean 99.9% of the time he can be a "regular" kid with a "regular" life. When I was his age it was just drug them, pack them into the special class and forget about them. As much as I agree with your sentiment we do live in slightly enlightened times.
We assume elderly people are going to struggle with people taking advantage of them in so many other aspects of life, why do we let the media and politicians get away with it?
To be clear, I am not advocating for stripping anyone's rights, or giving them a lessened voting weight. I don't actually have a solution. I just think it's the sort of thing a mature democracy would be able to discuss in good faith. Instead we get to be told about how much privacy and personal sovereignty we want to sacrifice in the name of "won't somebody think of the children".
Yes, you are right. There certainly is a deeper and growing understanding of neurodivergence and I am happy for you that your boy is being treated as he should be. I've often wondered if I have some neurodivergence myself.
And I also agree with your other ppints.
ironic usage of "ingenious"
"But let me be clear, someone retaining full capacity of their mental faculties into their twilight years is simply not common enough to be statistically worth talking about" arrogance and ignorance go hand in hand.
Stated by someone who obviously has ample quantities of both. I'm not as sharp as I was a decade ago, or two decades ago for that matter. I can see the decline and I am only in my 40s. If you can't say the same then congratulations.
I can see the decline while reading your comments.
Up until a couple of years ago when she moved, I had a 97 year old neighbour who was sharper than I am, she was a racist though.
We all decline over time, that much is true, but the suggestion that a 20 year old will make a better decision than a 60 year old is still complete bullsh*t
Consumerism spans generations, as does racism, sexism etc etc, the most recent generations have not changed any of that, they just dive right into it all while blaming previous generations... for being like them.
OP is clearly a 16 year old
Cool, remind me again what the plural of anecdote is... Is it data? It has to be data right?
I gotta say you got my Boomer sense tingling.
You seem angry, and confused. That's a common state of mind as people get on in years. Relax, have a cuppa and if this is the way you feel on a regular basis consider talking to your GP, they can help out with resources and support to help you in this time of transition.
I'm not angry or confused, I'm just taking the piss out of you because you are obnoxious. That seems to have made you "angry, and confused" you were of course already very generic.
You are also daftly ironic re: anecdote
Okay Boomer
Okay Boomer
Well you got me there chuckles, of course I am Gen X not a baby boomer. Which I already alluded to. But I guess the memory ain't what it used to be huh? Anyway I'm done with you now. Bye.
1980 seems likely for you if so, gen x... but just the crusty bit on the edge.
Bit hard of hearing old timer? I said I'M DONE WITH YOU, BYE
Your struggle is real eh