There ought to be a scientific study!

[apparentparadox]

I'm too lazy to search for it, but there should be a scientific study of when people stop making rational decisions. I'm not talking about when people go senile or get to a certain stage of Alzheimer's. I'm talking about people who should be able to make decisions making completely bad decisions

Comments

[abqdan]

These are only bad decisions from your perspective. You might also say that teenagers 'sagging' are making bad decisions; that kids into goth were... Those purple bell bottoms and that polyester bright orange shirt with the wide collar I once wore now seem dubious fashion decisions - though appropriate to my age and the decade, and I thought I looked great!

We really shouldn't concern ourselves with 'bad' decisions made by other people. As we age, most people realize that our decisions need to be what is right for US, not what the rest of the world might conceive is right or wrong (barring violent acts etc).

What has changed for me as I've moved into my 60's is that in the past I really did worry about what others thought of my actions; now I say and do what I want, and if other people don't like it, well that's just tough and they need to get over it.

[apparentparadox]

Actually, these examples would have been considered "bad decisions" by the person if you had asked him 20 years ago what someone in that situation should do. However, now that he is older and the incidents involve himself, he's making different decisions. So, either the current decision or the "20 years ago what others should do" decision was bad.

[abqdan]

I thought you were talking generally, but it sounds like this is some specific person. I'd say in general, we all change attitudes to things as our priorities, interests, and needs change. Humans are very adaptable. With age comes new understanding of what is and isn't a 'good idea'.

[apparentparadox]

Yes, I believe that some people are making really bad decisions even in their 20s.

Other than avoiding dancing C3, I don't remember you making any bad decisions.

[apparentparadox]

I hadn't considered that the examples are kind of opposite decisions! They both involved the same person . . .

[apparentparadox]

Mark & I nearly cheered when we were going through the airport recently and a mother told her young (10?) daughter that if she was going to stand on the moving walkway, she had to stand on the right to let others pass by.

[nosrednayduj]

Hm, let's see, sweatpants in public. Um, did I ever think this was a bad decision? It's less practical than jeans for me because there aren't enough pockets. Other than that, total comfort city.

My parents are in their late 70's/early 80's and so far they seem to be making utterly sensible decisions. Like deciding to move out of their large house into a retirement community because they can't really take care of the house and grounds to their standards anymore. But it's true that some of my friends' parents seem to be going down the obstinate route.

[apparentparadox]

some of my friends

You can add me to that list :-)