Octogenarians: Past, Present, Future

Is it necessary to understand and have knowledge of the past in order to understand and navigate the present day? Will knowledge of history enhance our vision of and journey into the future? These questions illustrate the intercultural communication concept of one of the six dialectics: history/past-present/future. The textbook for this class defines a dialectic as “a method of logic based on the principle that an idea generates its opposite, leading to a reconciliation of the opposites; the complex and paradoxical relationship between two opposite qualities or entities, each of which may also be referred to as a dialectic.” These concepts stem from the dialectical approach, which challenges us to view things as both x and y even though x and y are polar opposites. I appreciate this lens because I naturally see the world this way.

In terms of my culture of choice – octogenarians – this concept of history/past-present/future presents a question for both those inside and outside of that culture. But before we dissect this question, an exercise:

I would like to present an American Institution that is, technically, part of this culture since it is over eighty years old: The Academy Awards. Yes, you have heard of it because it is impossible not to know of its existence. But what about 83 years ago?

The first Academy Awards ceremony in 1928 was 15 minutes long, awarded previously announced winners and established the silent movie Wings as the first Best Picture (although it was a different category).

 Now The Academy Awards is an event that lasts at least four hours, is televised live in over 200 countries and is much anticipated as unannounced awards change the lives of their recipients.

So what does this have to do with the dialectic and this culture? I will tell you. What was your reaction to learning about the first Academy Award ceremony? What did you think of the drastic change this institution has undergone in eighty-plus years? My reaction was wow, I didn't know that, but now I am glad I know.  For me, learning about the beginning of something helped me see it in a different light. This is how I can illustrate the importance of the concept of history/past and its impact on present/future.

I interviewed my grandparents for this blog, but unfortunately I do not think I know how to upload an audio file on here...unless the one below works. If it does work, please listen respectfully. I will figure it out and use it for my final blog and overall presentation since it is an interview with general questions, not just about this concept. 

One of the things that my grandma talks about in the interview is that society no longer looks to the wisdom and experience of elders for answers, but instead uses technology. This struck a chord in me since I use Google for recipes and Youtube for fixing a flat tire. To me this is a major focal point in improving our intercultural communication with octogenarians (and the senior citizen community in general). My grandma came up with practical solutions such as programs that bring together younger and older generations and these are great ideas. I think that we can also make a change in our thinking by showing this community that they play important and vital roles in our lives and society at large. We can improve our communication by learning from each other on many different levels.

I look forward to continuing to research and present this culture for which I have much affection and respect. I would like to end this blog with a link to a short video clip that combines all of these concepts and institutions. It is from the movie On Golden Pond and shows the scene when one of the main characters has his 80th birthday party.

http://www.anyclip.com/movies/on-golden-pond/birthday-cake-for-norman/