Wired Wisdom – A Technician'’s Take

Wired Wisdom is a thoughtful, well-researched look at how older adults engage with technology. It successfully challenges the stereotype that aging adults are largely illiterate when it comes to technology. As a 71-year-old with a long personal history in tech, I appreciated the book’s intent—but found myself outside its frame.

The authors, both social scientists, focus on how older adults use tools like Facebook, Zoom, and smartphones to stay connected, often motivated by learning these apps and devices to connect with their children and grandchildren who are using them. But this definition of “digital literacy” occupied too much of the book and seemed the main example with which the authors tried to make their point. Being fluent in using applications like a Facebook page and email is admirable, but doesn’t reflect a deeper understanding. Thus it could be argued against.

I applaud the authors for dispelling the illusion that being over 60 means one is incapable of learning technology. But I would’ve liked to see more stories of technically-inclined successful older adults, like those behind the youtube channel Tech for Seniors or Chris Barnatt’s Explaining Computers - Chris is almost 60. Or Gary Sims' Gary Explains channel. Profiles like these would round out the picture and prove the point without a doubt. I began studying the Linux operating system at 60 and continue to learn at 71. I feel as capable as any 20 year old in my understanding of computer science. But I was trained in technology, and that's my bias. In fact, the bell curve of seniors (the majority) are more accurately served by these authors and there more common but real-world examples.

The mention of AI tools was very encouraging. For older learners, tools like ChatGPT can open doors to degrees of technical understanding to a degree never available before. Many in this age group are avid learners and have more free time to explore new realms like technology. But many are unlikely to enroll in courses, even online courses. So time with these AI tools, which are adept at communicating with the user in human language, can impart very complicated concepts that would be more difficult to grasp from a book. This knowledge can empower older adults and help protect them from scams of which they certainly are a target as a demographic. Understanding more about their devices and the online world those devices access can inform them and help them become self-reliant. Something we all need to do in the modern world, regardless of age.

This is, ultimately, a social science study—and it succeeds in convincing the reader that older adults are not incapable of learning technology or anything else. My strong technical background left me wanting less coverage of grandmothers using Facebook and more examples of the many technically-adept men and women over 60 that are undeniable proof of the message the authors are trying to put across.

But Wired Wisdom matters. It’s a strong first step in breaking down tired assumptions about seniors and is one of the first books of its kind to do so. It's a welcome addition in books seeking to dispel prejudice against this age group.