Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Norma Roth, Aging Activist and author of Aging Gracefully With Dignity, Integrity & Spunk Intact: Aging Defiantly, is looking for the Unfolding The Renaissance Person Of The Twenty-First Century through Science, Medicine, Education, and the Computer Age, all which will Come to the Aid of the Baby Boomer and those Entering "That Age." For decades her work as an Aging Activist has brought her to the conclusion that 21st Century Renaissance Person model should be the goal of those, as Norma, reaching "That Age."

Millions of Baby Boomers, set to hit retirement and beyond over the next 20 years, will be living longer and better than any previous generation in world history. According to reports in Life Science and Society for Neuroscience, a number of top scientists are studying how the mind gives rise to "thought, action, emotion and consciousness"; and "how billions of neurons are connected, pinpointing hubs in the brain responsible for memory—especially long term memory." Eventually, this will lead to understanding pathways to mind and the ability to tap into data bases within the mind that we have been filling with knowledge and experience for all of our lives.

The important piece of data here, says Roth, is that data base within the mind, generally referred to as long term memory, stores the sum total of the knowledge and experience gained over a lifetime. Neurological studies indicate that our long-term memory is a vast arsenal of storage and retrieval of data. Further, researchers are fast coming to believe that knowledge base can be utilized almost throughout an entire lifetime. Think of that; focus on that, and suggests Roth, smile.

In Aging Gracefully-Aging Defiantly, Ms. Roth calls this vast storage system a Personal Retrieval System (PRS) within our individual brains. Like a computer, she points out, our individual Personal Retrieval System contains vast amounts of data stored in long-term memory banks, capable of sorting, making associations, and selecting, and?so important to this dynamic generation—capable of perpetual retrieval. The importance is that with longevity and health being expanded, the potential for using this data base becomes probable and limitless.

Roth reminds us that modern computers simulate the human brain, not the other way around. The understanding we are gaining from the ongoing discoveries and vast research being done on that miracle of all miracles that makes us who we are?our brain—center around "hubs in the brain" responsible for among other things storing long-term memories. (Long term memory differs from short term memory in that data is processed and stored for, as more and more scientists are finding, probably for a lifetime, while short term memory is what it says: short in duration.

Further, Roth suggests, the computer age has given forth a vast new arsenal of data availability at our fingertips. While Information overload is general an expression often heard to indicate that there is more information than we can absorb, the multi-task qualities of so many Baby Boomers, and others may well, allow the learning and retention of probably more knowledge from a variety of fields than was ever dreamed of before in the history of mankind.

Although much information goes in and out of the brain, much is stored! Researchers are finding that the information that is learned and learned well, the information used on an ongoing basis, the information absorbed because of intense interest in, or need of, the subject is processed into the long term memory banks where it is retained for further use.

The vast ramifications of these findings are enormous, Roth suggests. The more you learn, the more you learn well, the longer that learning will be available to you. The potential for processing and storing unlimited quantities of knowledge is unknown. However, at its height, it is believed to be the sum total of your knowledge base, your experience and more that may well be available to you throughout your lifetime.

The definition of a "Renaissance Person" is a person with an extraordinarily broad and comprehensive knowledge base. Who would deny in this age that this fits our new dynamic generations. When we consider our educational model in the last century, for example, who can say it does not fit the model for long term storage and retention of knowledge? When we think of the broad range of knowledge most of us have gotten through that educational process, a whole new concept opens before us?and further, the vast knowledge acquired through our various positions and professions—the amount of data within our long term memories is enormous.

Take law, for example, says Norma Roth, who is an attorney. To represent people, a whole broad base of information is necessary: law crosses many spectrums as does so many other fields. You cannot limit your practice to a technician or scientist or teacher; you must know, or be able to quickly absorb, information both technical and academic on any field.

Today, specialization on one area of knowledge has given way to fusion of knowledge bases. The new "Age of Biology" brings forth combinations unseen in other ages. Biology, Medicine, Engineering, even Architecture, and certainly, Computer Technology have joined forces. The major universities: Harvard, Cornell, University of Pennsylvania, MIT and others as well as medical institutes like Johns Hopkins are bringing together what once were separate fields of specialization. The Age of Biology, for example, utilizes the application of engineering, medicine and the "computer" as it unfolds the secrets of life.

Roth suggests as individuals acquire more and more data on the vast arsenal of storage of the knowledge base of a lifetime, the model for this amazing age of unlimited possibilities is "The Renaissance Person." That age better defines the unlimited possibilities we now find on the horizon and our ability to absorb and grapple with multiple levels of knowledge. If the Baby Boomer and the dynamic generations before it want a model for the future that defines them?limitless and ever-expanding opportunities?there can be no model better suited to our future than given to us by those in the Renaissance period.

In light of current science and medicines unfolding untold possibilities for the continued growth and use of our most amazing seat of knowledge, the brain, Ms. Roth suggests that we give short shrift to those who would suggest that brain cells diminish and life as we know it ceases. In fact, we seem to be entering a period where anything that is contemplated is possible. We would do better, then, to adopt the broad based and never- ending growth and continued learning symbolized by a "Renaissance Person."

In the actual Renaissance period, people were educated in a wide base of what was then human understanding of knowledge. The Renaissance person was expected to know several languages, understand philosophy and scientific teachings, appreciate literature and art, and more. While our emphasis is on what needs to be learned for 21st Century advancement and what should be learned has been greatly enlarged—as well as what we want, as unique individuals, to learn?the emphasis of the Renaissance complements the vast arsenal of learning today.

Many of us are experts in multi-fields; many of us study multiple subject areas throughout our lifetime; many of us find, as we conclude our professional lives, that we are expert in many fields. Further, many people are starting to take up new fields of study after retirement based on old fields of interest. "Treasure-Hunting" within the self ("Exploring Old Treasures and New") and accessing and utilizing our Personal Retrieval Systems (PRS), Roth predicts, will become the wave of the future: within ourselves we will explore our own data bases built over a lifetime and undoubtedly access and utilize that base for new development and contributions.

Roth predicts, in this 21st Century, we may well out Renaissance the Renaissance Person. Storage of knowledge contained in each of us may be unlimited?and with longevity and health on the horizon, there may well no boundaries to our expectations or opportunities.



About Norma Roth and Her Books



Some years back, I started to think about writing a piece on "Aging Gracefully" and avoiding the hang-ups and no-good doers who seemed to be out there giving a large assist to the growing population of grey-haired adults marching down the path of diminishing capacities associated with aging, when a friend of mine asked for advice. "How can this be?" she moaned, "I can't seem to remember things, I don't know where I put things, I am really worried: Is this the scourge of old age creeping up on me?" . . . This book is my sharp response: "No, I definitely do not think you are losing it."

The questions becomes more paramount as the "Silver Generation" enters into a world where the miracles of science, medicine and technology promise a life span never before seen in this age group-well into their 80's and 90's or more-and health as well! This book explores how to chart your own course, past panic and past outmoded social attitudes, cast off the nonsense and hogwash-and become a part of the a newly emerging Silver Generation of the 21st Century.

Divided into two parts, Part I deals with the world as we know it debunking prevalent attitudes that attempt to keep those ''entering that age" anxious, panicked and planning for the inevitable, instead of planning for a life. Part II moves on to the wonderful new world awaiting, explores strengths, suggests treasure hunts along old and new pathways, and presents a new paradigm, exploring a unique Personal Retrieval System-within the self that can be accessed, retrieved and utilized for almost an entire lifetime. Aging with Dignity, Integrity & Spunk Intact can become the norm for those of The Silver Generation who are willing to reach for it, and a willing, too, to Age Defiantly!

Norma Roth has published a number of poetry books for the mature from a personal perspective, dedicated to the last phase of life. In Scenes From a Summer Home, she finds there need not be boundaries between time and space, between beginnings and endings; while in Fear, Trembling & Renewal, she explores the theme of finding that when "the snow begins to fall," perhaps there is a way "to see the world anew" and-say a resounding YES! to life." In her first full length book: Aging Gracefully with Dignity, Integrity & Spunk Intact; subtitled Aging Definitely, Ms Roth seeks to paint a larger landscape for those moving into their silver years, whom she calls the dynamic, new Silver Generation: for whom the 21st Century has begun to grant longevity and health, opening up endless opportunities for new dreams, new plans and as yet unchartered paths.

The author sees this new generation as robust and intelligent, highly skilled individuals, moving into their senior years, but not their vegetative ones. If they are to succeed in the achievements being made possible by science, medicine & technology, then, outmoded barriers and hurdles that stand in their way must be met head on as this Silver Generation moves into an era of unlimited possibilities for Aging Gracefully with Dignity, Integrity and Spunk-and, yes, Aging Defiantly. Ms. Roth sees new meaning in the words of Tennyson's for this new dynamic generation: Come my friends . . . Ti's not too late to seek a newer world . . . strong in will/to strive, to seek to find and not too yield. She invites the reader to join her on this exciting journey of the 21st Century into what may well become: The Age of the Silver Generation.

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