What happens to all that hard-earned knowledge when someone retires? Where does a lifetime of problem-solving, relationship-building, and street smarts go?
We called it “Institutional Knowledge.” The Baby Boomers started retiring in 2015 at 10,000 PER DAY, and that will continue to the end of 2030. Massive loss of Institutional Knowledge for our society, and it is showing in every profession and industry. Yet we are dismissed and hated by the younger generations. They can’t wait for us to not only retire, but die. There is even a web site out there with a counter showing how many boomers die each day.
I love this vision of elder councils and mentoring. I wonder if, until there’s a major social shift toward valuing (rather than shuffling aside) elders, it’s possible for individual elders—and younger people—to create these sorts of relationships even without a formal society-wide program or initiative. At age 66 here, I am inspired by older men and women who remain vital, engaged, and relevant in their chosen fields. I expect it has a lot to do with their own choice to keep doing what they love—rather than surrender to this society’s ageism that expects elders to “disappear” themselves so younger people won’t be reminded of the fact that aging is a natural part of life for those fortunate enough to do it.
King Solomon wrote, "There's nothing new under the sun." There's technique may change, upgrade or appear different but the core is still the same. You said it well when you wrote There's knowledge and then there's wisdom. Great article.
Probably one of the most important things I’ve read on Substack EVER! Thank you and YES!!! 🙌
We called it “Institutional Knowledge.” The Baby Boomers started retiring in 2015 at 10,000 PER DAY, and that will continue to the end of 2030. Massive loss of Institutional Knowledge for our society, and it is showing in every profession and industry. Yet we are dismissed and hated by the younger generations. They can’t wait for us to not only retire, but die. There is even a web site out there with a counter showing how many boomers die each day.
I love this vision of elder councils and mentoring. I wonder if, until there’s a major social shift toward valuing (rather than shuffling aside) elders, it’s possible for individual elders—and younger people—to create these sorts of relationships even without a formal society-wide program or initiative. At age 66 here, I am inspired by older men and women who remain vital, engaged, and relevant in their chosen fields. I expect it has a lot to do with their own choice to keep doing what they love—rather than surrender to this society’s ageism that expects elders to “disappear” themselves so younger people won’t be reminded of the fact that aging is a natural part of life for those fortunate enough to do it.
Outstanding.
King Solomon wrote, "There's nothing new under the sun." There's technique may change, upgrade or appear different but the core is still the same. You said it well when you wrote There's knowledge and then there's wisdom. Great article.