Why do we always wonder how old someone is? Dr. (yes, Doctor) James Hamblin discusses why we want to know this but probably shouldn’t ask.
Our cultures is called “youth obsessed” while at the same time supposedly looking to our elders for wisdom and experience and guidance.
So what, then, is our motive for wanting to know someone’s age?
Dr. Hamblin experiences the frustration of this firsthand. To many people who comment on his “If Our Bodies to Talk” videos, he looks to young to be a doctor, or too young to be giving advice, or just too young (the name Doogie Howser comes up). People want to know if he’s “old enough”.
His colleague appears to be significantly older, and sees the questions as a polite, “So when are you going to die?”
Their conversation and the information offered will make you question if “How old are you?” is really a good conversation starter, and what your motives are in asking it.
And are you still waiting to see if Dr. Hanblin is going to give up his own age? Sorry, no spoilers here.’
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