Faculty

What a drag it is getting old!

February 11, 2012

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William Ian Miller is the Thomas G. Long Professor of Law at the University of Michigan and the author of brilliant books including "The Anatomy of Disgust" and "The Mystery of Courage." His new book, "Losing It," mercilessly—and hilariously—excavates the downsides of aging. In this video, Miller discusses some of those problems, from loss of mental acuity to sagging skin and body hair run amok.


RELATED: An excerpt from "Losing It" (pdf) and A profile of Miller in the Law School's newsletter "Amicus."

What about you? Have you felt the humiliations of age? What strange, troubling and funny experiences have accompanied your getting older? Share your stories in the comments section.

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Paul Gogulski - 1960
My wife and I took the UoM sponsored trip on the Volga River cruse in 2006. I wanted to introduce her to the kind of professors and alumi I grew up with while in college. Instead, all we could find was the narcistic that is mentoneded in Professor Long's video. We wound up staying with alumni from University of Iowa. At least they smiled and were not always looking down at their shoes as we passed each other on the boat. Professor Long where were you?
mike teeley - 71
This guy is wonderful. Now I have to read his books. His images and views on life are like a combination of Steven Wright and Lewis Black! Being old sucks but it is till the best alternative.
timothy prosser - 1991
I feel sorry for Professor Miller for his dark view of aging. I am cheerful at 60 (w health problems) because, philosophically, "there's no percentage unhappiness." Why feel bad if you don't have to? With age came experience and knowledge which I use to keep myself feeling positive and optimistic, sometimes having to fall back on making each next minute a good one. Why would I want to feel bad about aging? There are always tradeoffs and I refuse to accept the net value is negative. I'm also a much happier person for it.
Tom Manchester
Life is neither a football game nor a political election. It is unnecessary to take one side or the other. For all the negatives of growing older, they are far out-weighed by the gleeful welcome of grandchildren, the advice so often requested by younger colleagues and the opportunity to encourage the young not to make the same mistakes we made at their age. It is only time to go when no one cares you are here.
Ralph LaRosa - 1960
Ageless Epiphanies Harvesting hair from my ears patiently, I glimpse the young man that used to be me. Tweezing the hair from my imposing nose, I know where the hair from my head now grows. Clipping my toenails, now turned yellow, I see that I’m a ripening fellow. Eyeing the chicks with my one good eye, I read their signs: Geezers Need Not Apply!
Jim Baylor
Last summer I had the occasion for a bit of surgery, was attended in preparation by 2 nurses and 2 students for each as well as an anestheologis and his student. At one point I interrutpted to say---"WIth all this medical talent gathered, I'd like to ask a question. The government says I must have five fruits or vegitables daily! Question---'Is it two or three margaritas that contitutes a serving of fruit?' In a chorus the eight responded, three! three! three! Best medical advice I've ever had!
Richard Yaffe - 1987
With a wink and a smile I say to Miller - your comments about aging are as dreary and drabby as that sweater you're wearing. And that orange chair and bookcase? Come on! No wonder you feel so depressed.

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