According to the mesmerizing diagram above, wisdom is associated with the colours of purple, brown and dark blue in different cultures. David McCandless' visual presentation of information is indeed mesmerizing but for a writer equipped with words, it seems limitingly linear in comparison. And perhaps I will be guilty of this here.
I previously mentioned 'generational conflict' after being influenced by the current political discussion of pensions. Do we deserve pensions? Was it merely a post-WWII phenomenon which is no longer feasible? Are institutional investors running scared of the stock market still? And do we really need those fantastically intelligent actuaries scrutinizing data about when we die so they can work out our precious pensions in the right way?
These are all questions to consider but I want to concentrate here on merely the positives of wisdom and innocence. Because despite their wrinkles and funny hip-bones, older people are indeed wise and have many things to teach us. Temporality is not such an obstacle in considering a lot of important realms in life. Many times I have reconsidered thoughts having heard a gem of a comment from an older person. I do wonder sometimes whether I should hang out more with pensioners and the like...
Similarly, people in their 20s who are currently in 'kidulthood', look longingly at the innocence of youth. Lacking the wisdom to confront the rigours and sharp edges of adult life, they too want to run about in a playground pretending to be a plane - for no obvious reason. Merely because its fun. One doesn't have to think about things at all. To children, the intangible structures that adults have created - those invisible things called 'society' or 'institutions' - simply do not exist. It really doesn't matter if you are wearing Armani or 'Primarni'.
Thus this is why I step forward with trepidation towards recognizing the realities of adult life. I will stop wearing pink and white for a start. Those are obviously children's colours you see.
Note to self: More black, yellow and red in my wardrobe then - to denote authority and power
See relevant links:
David McCandless' Colours in Cultures
Economist - End of Retirement .pdf file
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