The stereotype that elderly people are out-of-touch with technology is on the path of extinction in 2015. I personally know plenty of people in their 70’s and 80’s who regularly check their emails, compile text messages, and even install/uninstall apps on their mobile device. Technology is so widely pervasive, infiltrating objects of everyday within the homes of even the staunchest analog enthusiasts; being senior is no longer synonymous with technological ignorance.
Free online resources have made programming, or “coding” as marketers are oft to say, extremely accessible and easier to learn than ever before. Acquiring these skills enriches one’s appreciation of technology, improves the user experiences, and enhances the user’s cognitive function, improving the chances of staving off dementia and staying mentally sharp.
Although programming is often labeled as a young person’s pursuit given how quickly programming evolves and new languages are developed while others are phased out, the truth is that anyone can learn programming so long as one is willing to bear the burden of determination and effort.
Here are three reasons why you should give it a shot:
1.) Developing your mental acuity
Long time programmers such as Joel Lee point out that their minds are at their sharpest after they’ve spend hours programming, and conversely, the longer period of time they spend not coding, the “softer” their mind gets.
Programming is a delicate dance between creativity and logic, requiring that one reason in a clear and orderly manner while sprinkling creativity into the mix as a means of innovation and process improvement. “Of all creative pursuits, programming is unique in that it forces you into a simultaneous process of creative synthesis and analytical diagnostics.” This logical way of thinking bleeds in other aspect of daily life, not only structuring one’s thought process, but also sharpening one’s mental faculties.
Another interesting point most recently highlighted by Eben Upton, CEO and co-founder of Raspberry Pi, is that mental landscape involved in performing legal work highly resembles that which is involved in computer programming.
“There’s a lot of similarity between the problem-solving techniques you need to be a good lawyer and those you need to be a good engineer, and the carefully crafted, (nominally) unambiguous form of English used in drafting contracts bears a lot of resemblance to computer code,” Upton explains. In other words, it’s right at home for the elderly mind and a healthy means of staying mentally fit and combating dementia.
2.) Entrepreneurial Career opportunities
Ageism, that is, discriminating against individuals based on their age, is well-known trope as far as workforce prejudice is concerned, especially in the tech sector. Yet, the issue may no longer be as prevalent as it’s made out to be, because there are success stories floating around, and there are companies who “appreciate the old guy,” explains 56 year-old IT jockey Gary Huckabone, who nabbed a new job at his current age. Confidence, people-managing skills, and worldview needed to see the big picture, is more likely to be possessed by older workers, and companies are beginning to appreciate this amidst the sea of young programmers with minimal life experience, explains Huckabone.
But for all it’s worth, the skills developed in computer programming empower individuals to pursue their own projects should they find themselves with a revolutionary idea or unable to land a full-time gig. Computer science equips one with a set of tools for acting on an idea and realizing a solution in today’s digital, Internet-connected world; it’s the perfect catalyst for individuals who constantly who find themselves brainstorming solutions to life’s dilemmas. Just consider how Uber was born: One man realizing how much more convenient transportation services could be if it were possible to order one directly from a smartphone app. Boom, a billion dollar company.
An arguably more dramatic example of the fact that it’s never too late is Jens Skou , the 1997 Nobel Prize winner in chemistry. Skou picked up programming at the ripe age of 70, and the development of these skills proved crucial realizing the work that awarded him his prize.
3.) Staying in touch with technology
Technology is constantly evolving; new smartphones, new OS, new user experience, new gadgets, etc., etc. Programming knowledge isn’t required to operate these devices, but it will certainly enhance appreciation and usability. Unlike the unacquainted user, a willing programmer is able create custom software to maximize the device’s potential and bend its features to their will.
For a list the top online resources, stay tuned for part two of this article.
Source: Makeuseof.com
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