I Talk to Old People.
August 29, 2005Tonight after work I stopped outside and talked to an older polish guy we affectionately call “Farmer”. We stood around in the parking lot and talked about all sorts of things: The price of gas, owning houses, the way things were 30 years ago, and other such topics.
I immensely enjoy talking to older people. Many times when my high school friends would throw parties I would end up in the kitchen or living room talking to the parents instead of down in the basement watching dull teen movies. Parents loved me.
I’ve never had too much trouble connecting with the older generations. I talk and listen carefully, prompting them for details where necessary; drawing the wisdom and stories from their memories and storing them away in my own.
One of the projects I’d undertake, if I had the means and the time, would be to buy a digital video camera, and then interview millions of older people. I’d ask them questions about historical figures and events, thoughts on the future and stories from their childhood. By the time I was old I would have thousands hours of interviews. Interviews of normal everyday people, the things that make anthropologists drool.
Perhaps one day if we ever develop artificial intelligence to a self-conscience level (I’m not holding my breath), it could watch my interview and gain an understanding of the generations that preceded it. I’m crazy, no?
