Eszter Hargittai and I have been working on a book project for the past few years about how older people use new technologies. We’ve been delighted to partner with editor Joe Calamia and his team at the University of Chicago Press. This week, they told us it will be on the Spring, 2025 list–through peer review and so forth and heading into production. The title:
WIRED WISDOM: HOW TO AGE BETTER ONLINE
We are very excited about it. The book will describe the ways in which older adults–and that means 60+ in the World Health Organization’s vernacular–navigate the ever-changing terrain in the new digital world, from social media to their smartphones to the emerging AI universe. We have some new data to present, thanks to a major study Eszter and her team have carried out, plus we of course rely upon data and findings from the amazing scholars who come before us.
A major takeaway for me from this book project: we don’t spend enough time thinking about the needs of older adults when it comes to designing and improving new technologies. As our financial, health, social, and every other kind of life is increasingly digitally mediated all around the world, we need to get better at focusing on the needs of older adults in the digital realm. Lots to do, lots to learn, and lots that we can get right going forward if we make this important pivot.
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“Human factors, also known as ergonomics, is an applied science focused on understanding how humans interact with systems, products, and environments. It aims to optimize system performance and enhance human well-being by considering human capabilities, limitations, and behaviors. In essence, it strives to make technology work better with people.”
Sadly, the word “ergonomics” lots of people associate with chair design! But “human factors” are really about “preventing preventable disasters” that involve humans interacting with various environments & technology/technologies (taking into account stressful AND non-stressful situations. As one example, when autopilot technologies in aircraft cockpits were introduced, and a verbal RED ALERT via a recording was played to alert a pilot of “looming doom” a woman’s voice (who became famously known as “Bitching Betty”) had to replace the original recording that used a man’s voice. You see, almost all male pilots ignored the man’s voice calling out DANGER! And they did not ignore a woman’s voice calling out the same danger!” 🙂
All quite fascinating. I look forward to the book. Being a technologist/engineer I am continually aware of “what gets in the way” of better experiences and uses of technologies by older people that I engage during “elder care” and more.
Ken
Thank you so much John Palfery
Your leadership in Mac-Arthur Foundation have been tremendous, as a Nigerian lots of grants from Org for the purpose and service to Humanity.
I’m still going through some of your wonderful books here but I want to use this opportunity and inform you that, in my Community where grew up, theylack access to purified water due to Government negligence, it has alway been my dream to do this for them but my faith keeps failing me because of my current financial status,
I have the project management plans for such a Solar powered Water Source, it hurts me so much that as a woman seeing Mothers and Children struggle for dirty Water in my Community.
This is the only medium available to pitch the above
Faith Chukwuezue
Nigeria