Oh, to be and to feel like a 70 year old when you are only 32. Science and technology now make even this possible. Of course, as one who is on the high end of that equation, I simply wonder why a youngster would ever want to test the limits of limitations.
Some do, as I found out.
All it takes is that the young man who wants to feel old is willing to be outfitted to be a shadow of his young self.
The willing subject was journalist Tobias Bosse, a participant in my NOZ Digital workshop where the goal is to learn about digital mobile storytelling .
You see, Tobias , who is a star student in this workshop , chose to do his mobile story about the experience of feeling like a 70-year-old . Forget that I, at 71, could have briefed him on the subject in which I may be an expert and not by choice.
The process begins by showing the young subject an image of how he would look at 70, Here is how Tobias would look at that old age. I wish!
The rest of the process is a bit more arresting in terms of how the simulation attempts to match the limitations of old age.
How interesting it was to see the young and handsome Tobias get outfitted with all kinds of gadgets to limit his every move: earphones to impair his hearing, goggles to make his vision blurry, a 20-kilo vest to weigh him down as he attempted stairs , gloves and arm bands to impair mobility. You get the depressing picture .
Take a look at Tobias ready for his journey into old age!
And in he went into a world in which he could hardly hold on to his cup of coffee, let alone maneuver to find the coins in his wallet to pay for it.
His story turned out to be one of the best and a perfect one to do in a linear way for mobile consumption .
But, of course, as the only person in the room qualified as an expert on the subject of how it feels to be 70, I had to speak up:
“Boys and girls, this is a great story but it really is not as bad as it looks for us septuagenarians . It is all about how we took care of ourselves prior to turning 70.”
I added that there is technology to limit our limitations and I cited that my mega three-microphone Oticon hearing aids and my superb Oasis intraocular lens implant do wonders to make me enjoy my surroundings . I still can bend down to tie my running shoes each morning. My hands have no trouble lifting a flute of bubbly to my lips.
That is the other side of the story !
Now, about the 20-kilo vest to weigh me down…….
I don’t think I wear one or feel the impact of one on me yet..
Here is Tobias’ story:
In addition to Tobias Bosse, another workshop participant, Anna Behrend, of NOZ Digital, handled the filming and production of this story. Thanks, Anna!
TheMarioBlog post #2930