Does Age Quash Our Spirit of Adventure?

[€uroMeinke]

Just finished listening to this (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5652676&ft=1&f=1008)on NPR - an interesting investigation of how we become less "adventurous" as we get older.

I take special pride in being outside the statistical norm on at least the food & music portion - I have no inclination for a tongue piercing, so where do you fall? and how do you feel about that?

If I reflect a little, I feel I missed the boat on anamie and manga - I'm still willing to play with those media, but that universe is so vast, I really need a guide. I check out on pop culture in Television, so perhaps that allows me my continued interest in new and different music. In any event, I think I may need to quit my job soon - or continue to transform it perhaps....

[innerSpaceman]

Well, I'm pretty much outside the norm in remaining youthful beyond my years anyways... but I've noticed that my yen for adventure has but scarcely decreased.

Oh, it's gotten a little dull and rusty around the edges, but I'm really quite pleased with how much I still crave new experiences and new adventures.


not quite as pleased with actually having those new experiences and adventures ... but ... on the other hand ... I can't really recall a dull moment over the last half a decade. not bad, says I .... 'specially for an old geezer like me.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I'm as boring as I ever was.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Just finished listening to this (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5652676&ft=1&f=1008)on NPR - an interesting investigation of how we become less "adventurous" as we get older.

I take special pride in being outside the statistical norm on at least the food & music portion - I have no inclination for a tongue piercing, so where do you fall? and how do you feel about that?

If I reflect a little, I feel I missed the boat on anamie and manga - I'm still willing to play with those media, but that universe is so vast, I really need a guide. I check out on pop culture in Television, so perhaps that allows me my continued interest in new and different music. In any event, I think I may need to quit my job soon - or continue to transform it perhaps....

I heard this story on NPR yesterday and instantly thought of you and NA. You are both still very adventurous musically, going to Coachella, etc. I admire that. I, on the other hand, am right in the middle of the statistical norm for my age bracket. I listen to classic rock and haven't bought a new CD in about 10 years. I'm just not interested in new music. I don't know why, maybe there are too many other things taking up my time, jobs, kids, etc. If anything, I am regressing and listening to older music from the 40's and 50's. I still like to adventure in other areas, just not musically. Transforming your job sounds like a better alternative to quitting, at least there would be no loss if you did that first.

[Matterhorn Fan]

I'm as boring as I ever was.So age has NOT quashed your spirit of adventure.

[wendybeth]

I know I'm not as adventurous as I used to be, but then I think sometimes having a kid will do that to you. I was never afraid of death before I had my kiddo, but now I am more than a little interested in living long enough to see her grow up. So, where I used to want to parachute and bungie jump, now.... not so much. I like some new music and have bought a few new cd's for myself in the past year, but nothing like I used to. I hope to live long enough to be a really cool old granny, rocking out and jumping out of planes.:D

[Alex]

I think it just shifts around. My interest in music is pretty much exactly the same as when I was 18 (which is to say zero) but I'm much more adventurous on food and body art than I was then (I don't expect to make it out of my '30s with inkable space on my back and I ate a raw oyster the other day even though I know I don't like oysters). I don't know if I'm more adventurous with reading. I hardly ever read fiction and when I do it is most often to return to old genres and favorites. But I read non-fiction on a scale I never would have tried when I was young. I'm at least equally adventurous on travel and am much more open to making friends and socializing than when young (though I still have my bad days).

And the story seemed awfully quick to dismiss the psychological element. Particularly for music and body piercing. Much of hte motivation for adolescent behavior is to differentiate yourself from your parents without differentiating yourself from your piers. Once you've done the former, continued change just increases the likelihood of the latter. Growing up I never felt any need to differentiate myself from my parents because I already felt fully differentiated because I was (to be blunt) much more intellectual than them, even at a young age. What I find is that to the degree I want to differntiate myself from my past it is to differentiate myself from what I was like at 20, not what my parents were like when I was 10.

I also wonder also if the original example wasn't based on an anomoly. That kid who was listening to a completely different kind of music every day. That certainly wasn't true of most of the kids I knew. They might go through a couple major phases but for the most part they were in genre ruts of incredible proportions.

[Stan4dSteph]

Cool! A Stanford guy! :D

I'm still in an adventurous phase at the moment, although most of the music on my iPod is by one musical group.

[scaeagles]

I grow more daring and in search of more thrills as I grow older, actually. Skydiving will be hard to top, but bungee jumping and hang gliding are on my short list.

I have never been one to go to crowded music scenes, and certainly have no interest in being pierced or tattooed.

I like new things within categories of what I like. I like to try new food because I like food. I'm not interested in trying new music because I don't listen to music except when on my elliptical.

[innerSpaceman]

I still want to get more tattoos and some piercings, but I don't really consider that adventurous, per se.

And, come to think of it, I haven't bought more than a handful of new CDs in the last 10 years either. Not that I'm uninterested in new music; just that I'm not exposed to it ... and I don't really feel like making some herculian effort to seek out new music by spending a bunch of time listening to random stuff.

I kinda need music "recommended" to me. There was a certain new CD listening party a few months back that was very productive and fun. But, on my own, I'm content to listen to stuff I already know. And nowadays, I'm more likely - musically - to explore times before I was born rather than stuff being produced today.

[Moonliner]

Let's take inventory...


Sky Diving: Been there done that, not real eager to repeat

Tattoos/Body Art: Nope, never, don't expect to change

Sex: Getting better all the time, If the current rate of improvement holds, I'll be doing it on inverted coasters in my 80's...

Reading: Unless you are reading "The Extremists guide to self immolation" on a flight out of Heathrow, I don't see how any book can be considered "adventurous". Reading a great book is a wonderful experience I just would not call it adventurous.

Food: History of being a "meat and potatoes" kind of guy, working on developing a more adventurous spirit here. I tried Poi last week.

Overall I would say that with age I've had a shift in focus to adventure that is less likely to break my bones.

[Gemini Cricket]

I think I'm more adventurous now.

On my list of adventurous things to do:

-Cage dive with white sharks.
-Travel around the world.
-Whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

I was listening to 70s music in the 80s. And the 90s and now, for that matter. Sure, I listen to KCRW and if something piques my interest, I check it out... but I tend to like music that's less "adventurous" to begin with. The last few new groups I got into were Iron & Wine and Jennie Lewis and the Watson Twins-- that can hardly be called "adventurous."

But I do love to travel. That's really never changed. We'll be adventuring around Italy next June.

When it comes to piercings or body ink-- that's just never appealed to me. When an acquaintance got a gigantic iris tattooed on her abdomen, all I could think about was how terrible it was going to look when she was 80. My personal pet peeve (or one of them) is when someone with a pierced tongue incessantly plays with it outside of their mouth or clicks it against their teeth. I don't think my disinterest in body/skin mutilation has anything to do with "adventure" or risk... it has everything to do with finding it unattractive. Not because they're being bold, but because I don't find it visually stimulating.

[Gemini Cricket]

LSPE ~ My sister does that! She pierced her tongue and she plays with it all the time. Bugs me to tears.

I've thought about a tattoo but my idea for a tattoo takes into account the 80 year old thing. I wanted a tattoo of a compass rose on my back. But I wanted it to look like it was from an antique map. So when my skin gets wrinkly, it'll look like it's on an old piece of parchment. :)

[Prudence]

I'm some what more adventurous now, although likely not in the way they mean. I was so incredibly shy in my youth that I would never have met any of you. Now I meet and just don't say anything, but hey, it's a step up.

Actually, I couldn't have done law school 10 years ago, either. And not just because I had another year left on my BAs. I would never have survived the socratic method or oral arguments or having a peer evaluate my article. I'm not great at those things yet, but in the history of me this is quite the adventure.

Actually, since my voice teacher and I are working on preparing me for public performance - solo - that's an adventure, too. I'm fine with a group, but solo tends to make me a mouse if I can see the audience. (Bright stage lights in the face = fine. Hanging out with family and friends = terror).

I'm way more adventurous with food. My dad doesn't like anything even vaguely outside the world of pot roast, so I'd never even had fish until I was a teenager. Now I'll try just about anything. I'm sure there are some things I wouldn't try, but I haven't encountered them yet. I can't say I'd eat a tempuraed prawn head again, but at least I tried it.

I'm fairly open to books, although my time is more limited so I tend to be more selective.

I'm not adverse to a new tattoo, but I don't have anything sufficiently meaningful to ink at the moment.

And music - I listen to significantly less angsty crap than when I was younger. I listen to a lot of swing and piano lounge standards now, but both older and newer artists. If that as a genre makes me a fuddy-duddy, then I guess I'm stuck. I also listen to and perform early music pieces. Is that "old"? Or so old it's back into adventurous?

I'm more conscious of my mortality and I have less of a death wish that I used to, most days, so I suppose there might be things I'm now less willing to do.

[MouseWife]

Well, music wise, I have always been into most types and always eager to hear new bands and hear their sounds. I am not a music snob, I listen to bands even when other music friends say they suck.

I would love to get a tattoo. I thought of getting a small UPC one on my lower back so if I was ever found dead they could scan me....I thought 'who else would have one?' Well, that idea is outta here since I saw a guy at the swapmeet with one on the back of his neck.

Food. I did try a Jalepeno Chedder Cheeto yesterday. It was good. I will not try Flamming Hot Cheetos. No sir. Not that I am old and unadventurous but I am experienced with eating bad tasting things and on this one, I don't want to chance it. But, I am venturing from the burgers when we go out...

Travel~ Ah, we are planning a trip past San Francisco! As a couple, we haven't been and now we are. My goal is to do a road trip all across the U.S. with no time frame and seeing it all. I was born in Bangor Maine and I would love to go and see what the heck it is like.

I work with a lot of really young people. They trip out that I go to a lot of concerts. {well hello, I've been raising the kids and finally they are big enough to either leave at home or join me}. When I was younger I never would have done a 'festival' type show . I went to X-Fest by myself to see 'She Wants Revenge', Ozzfest to see 'Disturbed' and 'System of a Down' and the another day to Street Scene to see SWR, Wolfmother and QOTSA. My 12 year old son came with and he had a great time. :cool:

We were also there for the big 'Tool' incident {although we left after 'The Pot' because we both had to work the following morning}. Which, by the way, had nothing to do with the band encouraging the situation. Maynard totally tried to calm the crowd, telling them to take a breath, take a step back {during the song even}. He stopped the show before the fire marshall told him to. God, I love Maynard. He said no one was going to die that night for rock and roll and that we need to watch out for our brothers and sisters. Damn, he rocks.

Anywho, I get tired more easy now that I am working. Is that how is goes? It really sucks.

To add {as I got carried away with the music...}~ I am way more vocal than I ever was. When I was young, when someone talked to me, I'd open my mouth and dust would come out. ;) Now, I say {most often} what I want. I do try and be tactful, I am not a mean person, I love people.

I speak because I know you don't always get a second chance and life is to live.

{love your tattoo story, Capt Jack}

[Capt Jack]

nope, not me. Im as boring as a hand full of wet dog hair...pretty much always have been. just ask anyone who knows me beyond 'hey, I know you' :blush:

tatoos. my dad had tons of tatoos. lifer navy, so I think he had one from every port he ever visited. one I remember staring at for hours as a kid. huge geisha in the middle of his chest. it was awesome. I've just never been able to decide on a single one I felt like represented me, but I have zero against them. btw, his looked great till the day he died. he was 70 or so at the time. gray hair (what there was of it), wrinkles and all. a little faded over time, but the tats always looked good....him...eh, not so much. :p

piercings? lets just go with dont hold your breath. I've accidentally punched enough holes in myself to avoid doing it on purpose.

music? dunno...I hear new stuff from time to time, but Im not one to go in search of anything just because its new and Im not around enough 'cutting edge' folks to bring a lot of it into range.

food may be the only true exception to my 'rules for a boring life'. (ok, theres perhaps one other I wont go into here) I think I've stumbled across maybe a hand full of things I just plain dont like. Persian, Vietnamese, Turkish etc....rarely am I disappointed or sorry I tried it. sometimes in a new eatery, I'll just close my eyes and point at the menu. Ive lucked out with that more times than I can count.

I still like fast cars and speed sports, but I am alot less ready anymore to "go and do" vs "go and see"...so maybe the decrease with age has merrit, but Im still not personally convinced since there wasnt all that many adventurous tendancies to begin with.

[BarTopDancer]

On my list of adventurous things to do:

-Cage dive with white sharks.

This is what I am doing next year when I graduate. If not sooner. Seeing Sharky in person just made me want to do it more.

[Snowflake]

Well, I've always marched to a different drummer than that of most of my peers. Especially in the area of music.

Growing up, I was Mowtown and top 40, and then I discovered classical music and my interest in any popular genre faded to nothingness, almost. I did do a 10 year stint at Tower record to support my vinyl/cd habit and was exposed to a good deal of variety of music, much of which I liked, from the gamut of skinny puppy to Madonna. But, I did not listen regularly. I do find a good deal of my musical interest lies in more ancient than modern.

Food has always been an adventure and I'm game to try just about anything. I came to sushi later in life and would never turn back! Although, I do confess a few food items thought of as delicacies in other climes, turn me green at the thought of ingesting them.

Like GC, a skydive is something I've always wanted to do. Hang gliding as well. I find I drive faster as I get older (but it helps I have a bigger car) but I do not drive as recklessly as I did at 16. ;)

I do remember crossing what I call the generational split. I was on the MUNI coming home from the office, reading my book, but could not help overhearing the conversation of the two 20 year olds in front of me. As I listened, I thought to myself, holy sh*t, I do not have any clue about the world they are living in, I have become my mother! It filled me with dread!

I hope I never become old in thought, I expect with the aging process being what it is, I will have no recourse but to physically be less vigorous eventually. But right now, I find that vigor increasing as I get my health back and the weight is dropping off bit by bit.

[Snowflake]

I can't say I'd eat a tempuraed prawn head again, but at least I tried it.


Oh man! Love those, of course the better part of that deal is the sweet shrimp that comes before!

[DreadPirateRoberts]

I've thought about a tattoo but my idea for a tattoo takes into account the 80 year old thing. I wanted a tattoo of a compass rose on my back. But I wanted it to look like it was from an antique map. So when my skin gets wrinkly, it'll look like it's on an old piece of parchment. :)

When they bury you they'll know to point you North to South. (All the disreputable people are buried East-West).

Edit: I think I was told wrong, East-West is preferred (http://www.tngenweb.org/darkside/facing-east.html)

[Alex]

I would love to get a tattoo. I thought of getting a small UPC one on my lower back so if I was ever found dead they could scan me....I thought 'who else would have one?' Well, that idea is outta here since I saw a guy at the swapmeet with one on the back of his neck.

Everybody thinks that is a unique idea. I know I did when I wanted one but then I ran into why you don't see them often. The artist talked me out of it. He said he had several people a week want one but usually succeeded in convincing them it was a bad idea. Since it is just a series of thin straight lines they tend to look like crap after a few years as your skin moves and stretches in sublte ways as you get older. Also uneven fading will be very obvious.

Several other artists I've talked to since all say they also try to talk people out of them.

[MouseWife]

Everybody thinks that is a unique idea. I know I did when I wanted one but then I ran into why you don't see them often. The artist talked me out of it. He said he had several people a week want one but usually succeeded in convincing them it was a bad idea. Since it is just a series of thin straight lines they tend to look like crap after a few years as your skin moves and stretches in sublte ways as you get older. Also uneven fading will be very obvious.

Several other artists I've talked to since all say they also try to talk people out of them.

I hadn't even thought of that aspect of it. Yuck. What turned me off when I saw it on this guy was that it reminded me of inmate numbers....that took the glory away.

So, the other one I am considering {and more in a serious way} is my last name surrounded by bramble bush {is that how you say it, or just bramble?}. I can't decide on the font for the lettering. Not that that is the only thing stopping me...:blush:

{I had also toyed with putting Chris Cornells caracature {sp} eyes peeping over my pantline but some people told me that would be hazardous to my sex life. ???}

[Gemini Cricket]

I don't like piercings. Not for me. I don't need extra holes. And I think those ear stretching earrings are creepy. They look fine when the ring is in but when you take it out it's flappy skin with a hole in it... Ewww!

[lizziebith]

I couldn't listen to the show here at work, but the summary seemed to indicate that we don't crave new experiences so much as we age. I'm not sure if I'd characterize that new experiences as "adventure," or "thrill-seeking," but here goes:

I've never been a thrill-seeker (as in sky-diving, bungee-jumping, etc.) so I can't say I'm less adventurous in that area.

As for music, I still seek out new music...in fact, new art of any kind still interests me. I don't go out as much as I used to due to work, so I "consume" new experiences differently -- I tend to study about things. Yes, that is a mediated experience but it is still exposure to new things and ideas. Whenever possible, I bring them into my home. Different arena, but still new.

I travel as much as possible, and have been to more new states in the last five years than in the previous 40. I also enjoy exploring my new city (moved to L.A. in 2001).

I have a wider variety of friends and acquaintances, so I get to experience more world-views than ever before. I think I've gotten much more open-minded as I've aged, so that has left me more receptive in general. I've jettisoned a truckload of old beliefs and I feel wonderfully unfettered.

I've already got piercings and tattoos, and am interested in more -- but not to the point of doing anything about it yet. I do think it's funny that these things matter! Why not haircuts and colors...other forms of fashion experimentation? I'm doing the fashion make-over of self thing these days.

Food? Well, that's difficult due to my major personal taboo: I hate seafood. Still, at least once a year I try out a seafood dish, to see if my tastes have changed. In fact, once a year I like to try my hand at a new skill, too: dressage, violin, kayaking, French -- these are some things I've tried in the past few. This year it will be fencing. I don't much care if I become proficient at these things...the fun for me is in the trying.

Anyway...I suspect that the LoT denizens will not support this gentleman's thesis. :D

[AllyOops!]

What a facsinating question!

I think of this often. I sometimes can't believe my actual age, because I feel like a kid most of the time! However, my boyfriend is 8 years younger then me, so the question of my actual age weighs on my mind often. However, we're an amazing match- he's a very mature guy with just the most sensitive, caring & wisest Soul, and I'm still.. a dork. Perfecto!

The only arena in which I EVER notice our age difference is music. He's pretty hip to today's hard rock & punk bands. I'm pretty unhip to anything new. :( Our office listens to K-Big, so I'm familiar with certain pop hits, but at home? I listen to First Wave on Sirius. Home to my "youthful" music. Depeche Mode, The Smiths, Bauhaus, P.I.L, the Sex Pistols. I feel that embarrassing sting when my younger girlfriends are like, "You've NEVER heard this song?" I am absolutely not familiar with rap, hip-hop, or even Top 20 at this point. I almost wanted to weep when my girlfriend was pumping rap (and it wasn't old skool good stuff- it was gangsta-ish) once and I actually tried covering my ears. I was like, "oh this is so much noise & too loud!" THAT SCARED ME. :( That & the fact that I still get excited when Adam & the Ants play on the radio.

I love trendy things, but I know at my age certain things just aren't going to work. I favor more classic styles as I get older, although I was that way even in my twenties. However, some things that I find darling I know are just not suited for a girl my age.

It may be trendy, but you won't see me in stillettos, a flouncy ruffled mini-skirt and a baby tee that says "Flirt" or "Sexy Angel" or the worst offender of all, "Dontcha Wish Your Girlfriend Was Hot Like Me?"

But that's not an age dealie. That's just tacky. ;)

[Not Afraid]

I also wonder also if the original example wasn't based on an anomoly. That kid who was listening to a completely different kind of music every day. That certainly wasn't true of most of the kids I knew. They might go through a couple major phases but for the most part they were in genre ruts of incredible proportions.


I've always had a penchant for "adventerous" things. Musically, I'm all over the world - literally and have always been. I have always sought out a variety of experiences in all areas (some even got me in trouble ;)). It hasn't really changed much as I've gotten older other than I have less time and more discretionary income. There are many things I don't have time to do and I do choose carefully. I've given up TV and only listen to public radio because I don't have the time or desire to listen to commercials and I find most TV show unfulfilling, but there are ALWAYS exceptions.

I find that I, as I get older, I am an actually less likely to dismess concepts and ideas without at least some consideration. I will eat almost anything once. I will read almost any genre - although the time issue always factors into it. But, I do take into consideration what I've learned and try not to repeat the stupid things over again.

I have always love to be challenged artistically and love when an artist, musician, writer, etc makes me think. That desire has grown even stronger with age.

I still haven't gotten a tattoo after all of these years and I dress how I want to - usually influenced oi some way by fashions of yesteryear. I was never an outlandish dresser (compared to many of my friends) but I do dress to my own drummer.

I will probably never settle into the age rut talked about in the OP's link. If I suddenly started listening to Air Supply or even The Ramones over and over, I'd really start to worry about myself. Of course, I'd save a whole lot of money as well. ;)

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Ever curious, not always adventurous. I've dropped everything to move from one city to the next. I've taken risks with my employment in an attempt to try something new.

I'm a creature of habit, in some respects, but not exactly set in my ways. Open to new foods, new music, new cultures, new experiences, ideas, new books, new art, etc.

But, for a Romantic, I'm a coward and I always have been. Age has had no influence. I'm positively hiding in a cave.

And if doing what I really wanted meant giving up everything I had, I'd probably be too scared to do it. An adventurer wouldn't.

[blueerica]

I don't really know where I fit in all this. As I approach 30, I am more confident now and taking more risks than I ever have before, and I was always a risk-taker. I think, though, that taking risks must be done responsibly. I don't jump into much with my eyes closed. Some decisions are made quickly, but given some reflection, I can always see the trail and realize it had been a long time coming.

For myself, I want a tattoo. I know which one I'm going to get. I've wanted it for years. The only reason I didn't get it sooner was because I wanted to know it was something I would want to keep, and 8 years down the line, I still want it. Now it's just a financial question. I don't like to overspend my bank account. :)

Which reminds me of what I'm more cogniscent of, than when I was younger. Money. If I had a money tree, I'd do anything. Financial concerns tie me down. Given limitless funds, what would I do? I would travel the world, and soak it all in. I'd be a different person to suit each culture. I'd enrich myself in literature and music. I'd go skydiving, I'd go bungee jumping. I'd tattoo myself wholly up and down. OK, maybe not that - but - the idea crossed my mind.

No it didn't.

I'm mostly the same as I ever was - just maybe a little bit more sure of who I am.

[lashbear]

Well, as Rita Rudner put it:

"I think men who are pierced are better prepared for marriage...... that way, they've both experienced pain - and bought jewellery !"


I have three piercings, none of which you can see when I'm wearing clothes :eek: :D PM me and I will give all the gory details. :cheers:

I have two tattooes - both Bears (what else?) One real and one cartoon.

I do want to get another tattoo - Cinderellas castle or sleeping beauty's castle, depending on location. I thought cinderella for leg (tall and skinny) or sleeping beauty across back - low & wide.

I still prefer the nostalgic music of my youth, though.

[€uroMeinke]

I couldn't listen to the show here at work, but the summary seemed to indicate that we don't crave new experiences so much as we age. ...

Anyway...I suspect that the LoT denizens will not support this gentleman's thesis. :D

The summary is the guy conducted some surveys to discover some interesting benchmarks;

age 35 was a mark where 95% of the population was no longer interested in listening to new music

at age 39, 95% of the population who had not already tried sushi would try sushi

When it cam e to tongue piercings 95% occured between the ages of 16-23

So, yeah I think this group will skew those results - but these studies just hit 3 areas so I have to wonder if as we age, our interests target us for more adventure in some places and less in others?

There was also a baboon study of older baboons not trying new foods when relocated - I supose you could construct a biological reason for that, but I wonder how music and fashion fit in - as well as travel and other sorts of adventurousness.

[innerSpaceman]

Well, I will agree with some of those benchmarks ... but, for me, it's just that having newness in the same old area can itself smack of oldness. I did get less enthusiastic about new music at some point (it was more like 40) ... but I want more new visual arts now.

I have always liked both new and tried & true. But with so much life under my belt at this point, new doesn't even seem all that new unless it's also in a realm that's new.

[SacTown Chronic]

No declining spirit of adventure. No less disdain for order, structure, and the way things are (and have always been). Age hasn't contributed to my mellowization, but children have.

Priorities change. Anarchy can wait 'till the youngest graduates college.


Musically, I'm friskier than ever. Much credit to our fifteen year old for that. Thanks to him I'm fed a steady diet of new alternative music and such. We bond through music even though the totality of my musical tastes is too far out of the mainstream for even him, a teenager trying hard to affect an air of disinterested disdain for society and everything else.


Much like it is for iSm, age ain't nothing but an illusion for me.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

It seems to me a lot of what we're talking about here has very little to do with adventurousness. I don't find it adventurous to listen to a song someone wants me to hear, no matter the genre. Worst case scenario is that I don't like it. I may have to say "that's not my thing". How is that adventurous?

Tangentially, a person that actually enjoys various kinds of music isn't adventurous to me. If they have an appreciation for many different genres then that comes naturally to them and isn't an adventure at all.

Why is piercing/tattooing adventurous? Either you want a piercing or you don't. I guess you could make a case for a careless teen getting something they'll regret later. I would say that that's not adventurous, that's just a bad decision.

I'll watch any movie you want me to try - at least for a while. I'll try almost any food (can I exclude things like haggis and prairie oysters without being called a wuss?). I'll travel most anywhere (again within reason). I wouldn't say that this is adventurous in the slightest.

So what IS adventure? Adventure is climbing Everest or investing everything you have in your own business or working with the Peace Corp in a 3rd world country where children die every day (I have a coworker who did that last one - too much adventure for her, she came home).

I can't believe that "trying new music" is listed as adventurous. The way I see it, nearly all of us were born normal and boring and so we shall live for the rest of our days.

[€uroMeinke]

I can't believe that "trying new music" is listed as adventurous. The way I see it, nearly all of us were born normal and boring and so we shall live for the rest of our days.

It is in the context of the linked story which is exploring a and document phenomna of aging and perhaps discovering the psychological or biological reasons why

[Not Afraid]

The things I try and do in my life I wouldn't consider adventerous - until I travel and find people who think "spicy" is an evil thing and who eat meat and potatoes and listen to The Eagles like they were the latest and greatest. Compared to most of the people I've ever met while traveling for work in other parts of the county, I am VERY adventerous - or at leas they consider it so.

I think the age thing may work but I know some reasonably young people who act like thery are old futzes - and many old people who aren't.

[innerSpaceman]

The fudz phenomena. More and more of my (ex) friends have succombed to it over the years. The not having get-up-and-go, or let's go play, or yeah, sound's like fun.

Hahaha, the first wave came when I was barely out of my twenties!!! My friend Jim, who I didn't hang out with much before then, became very close because many of our mutual or respective friends faded fast as their 20's faded.

Since then, all but the truly young-at-heart have fudzed out. Some in their 30's, some later. I am truly fortunate, at 46, to know so many people who are truly young-at-heart ... otherwise I'd have no one to play with (well, except for all the truly young people I tend to get along well with).

To me, this is the gist of it. Some softening of energy-levels notwithstanding, I still have just as much get-up-and-go as I always did. And falling prey to the "normal" benchmarks of music, tattoos and cuisine don't change that fact.


Sactown hit something squarely on the head. I haven't had a steady stream of new music introduced to me since my teenager lived at home. Similarly, I haven't gotten into anything active like rollerblading or snorkeling since I broke up with my last girlfriend. It seems that I don't self-motivatingly seek out unknown music or fun quasi-sporting ... but I'm all for it once I'm in range.

I just need to find some way to keep getting in range.




.

[€uroMeinke]

I just need to find some way to keep getting in range.

I think that's where I was going with, with my mention about Anamie and Manga - there's just so much, that I require a guide to help me find the cool stuff - and truely appreciate the media - so that I don't just throw up my arms and call it all crap.

Fortunately these boards are full of people with a broad range of interests who continue to guide me to things that are truely new and cool.

Thank you all

[MouseWife]

That is definitely true. My kids introduce me to quite a lot. Of course, I pick and choose.

They did introduce me to Nirvana, Sublime, Green Day, Cake...but now I have taken that and found my own niche.

I think that a lot of people my age find music {the kind I listen to} and going to concerts as 'too much'. Most people my age watch 'American Idol' and love Kelly Clarkson....{well maybe not now since she's 'changed' ;) }

I think the connection between age and making these choices is that most people over a certain age have minds that are pretty set and unwilling to accept change.

I was discussing this with my daughter today and how some people have open minds throughout their lives but eventually their minds are open...to people who think like them! LOL This is a person in their fifties now who was totally a groundbreaker/open minded type.

Oh wait, we were also discussing how when I grew up, we were open to evolution and creation. It wasn't a big freakin' deal. But today, it seems the kids are being raised one way or the other. We are raising our kids to believe in both, religion being one they have the option of but I still give my opinions and expect them to respect me.

I think music & fashion are adventurous. Do you know how hard it is to be a bold dresser? Or to listen to music when people criticize you for it? To not sit down with the women and talk about cooking and your men but instead jump up and shake your booty to 'Baby's Got Back' or shake your fists at 'BYOB' while everyone else is afraid to say anything against the president?

When you get to a certain age, in my opinion, it's like they want to put you in polyester and loafers and shuffle you away. We aren't supposed to have fun. Really. It is insulting when people seemed surprised that we go on hikes or whatever.

Getting old happens~peoples' attitudes can suck, though. Oh, like at Disneyland when I turned 40. I got my sticker and my Hubby told them my age and the CM chuckled and wasn't going to write it down but I said 'Go for it.'

I'll stop there....I can rant all night....

[Disneyphile]

I must be weird, because I'm just the opposite. Every day that passes builds my desire to roam the world in search of exciting new stuff. :D

[innerSpaceman]

Freak.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

I haven't gotten into anything active like rollerblading or snorkeling since I broke up with my last girlfriend.

Pairing up with someone else (be it roommate, for me in the case of Audra, or spousal-type, in the case of Tom) has always proved to inspire me to do more. Solo I'm capable of venturing out now and then, or seeing movies... but having a partner in crime inspires one to expand their active horizon. Both Tom and I love travel, and museums, and art, and exploring the city. But when we are together we're far more likely to venture out and actually do those things when we're there to encourage each other and revv each other up for adventure. Plus, there's the blending of interests... heaven knows I'd never take up tennis without him, and he'd never have come to DL without me.

And I'll agree with Chris-- having a group like this, where the spearheading and planning is spread out among people-- makes ALL of the difference in the world. Have I told you lately that LA is a good city if you're on LoT? I told my friend who just moved here, at least.

[innerSpaceman]

having a partner in crime inspires one to expand their active horizon.
Le Sigh - zapppop and I stopped sneaking backstage at Disneyland even long before he became a CM. It was our uniquely incommon brand of mischievous adventure (you might even say it was how we were introduced).


I wonder what adventure my next lover and I will share???

[katiesue]

"oh Mom you're stuck in the 80's" :rolleyes:

[Cadaverous Pallor]

"oh Mom you're stuck in the 80's" :rolleyes:That's ok, the 80s are cool again. :)

I guess music and fashion doesn't seem adventurous to me because I often don't give a fvck what people think. I've recently shifted my wardrobe to be more professional, not because I feel pressured to, but because I feel more professional these days. Even while doing that I bought a rather short dress with a striking print that I would definitely label a "risk" but all I ended up with was complements. Being bold is more fun than stressful for me these days.

I realize I was hung up on the word "adventure" in this context, where I'd just call it "trying new things" or "leaving your comfort zone". To me these are vastly different concepts.

I agree that pairing or grouping pushes you to do more. GD and I help each other to get out of the house. I know that without you guys we wouldn't have done a quarter of the fun things we've done since the LoT came to be.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

The things I try and do in my life I wouldn't consider adventerous - until I travel and find people who think "spicy" is an evil thing and who eat meat and potatoes and listen to The Eagles like they were the latest and greatest.

Christ, you just described most of my relatives. ;)

I'm not sure that something can only be adventurous if it involved climbing the highest mountain in the world. I might not find sushi adventurous because I eat it every chance I get. For a meat and potatoes kind of person though, a sushi bar would be one hell of an adventure. It's all perspective and to me, adventure is simply being open to exploring the unknown even if there is a perceived risk (even if no actual danger actually exists).

[Not Afraid]

I think what makes a differnce to me in describing one as "adventerous" is that they do these "risky", "different" or "adventerous" things regularly. Everyone takes a certain amount of risk at times, but if you are willing to have fun and play on a regular basis with clothes, music, places you visit, activities you participate in then I would define that person as being adventerous.

[€uroMeinke]

Call it what you will, but something does happen as we age. Music seems to be a familiar example, since advertisers know what music targets a certain demographic.

At my last concert at the Trubidor, I was the creepy old guy.

I have a MySpace Page, but most of the people my age that are there are only there to keep tabs on their children.

But, as a teen I loved Science Fiction, I read every book, saw every movie I could in that genre. But over time I realized what I really like was good writing and good stories. So reading-wise, I now only read science fiction when it comes recommended to me by someone I trust (LoT). On the contemporary fiction genre though, I subscribe to a quarterly literary mag that gives me short stories to explore new writers.

In music, I still love to sample and will pick up things on a whim. One of the things I love about My Space is the Music pages - I love to go to a favorite band or musician and see what bands they link to and click away for hours finding cool stuff, and passing quickly over the stuff that doesn't move me. The internet has made it easy to weed through a lot of crap and for that reason I think it's kept my love of new music alive.

I think it also interesting to note the demographics of this website, for while there are a number of us in the over 40 category, there are many more below it. There are many my age that still shun computers and the internet - I know becasue I have to work with them. I think they are missing out, but they are perfectly content and comfortable in their ways, so who am I to rock that boat?

Anyway, I think it interesting to see how our "tastes" change as we get older as well as our willingness to try out something new.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

I think it also interesting to note the demographics of this website, for while there are a number of us in the over 40 category, there are many more below it.


Thanks for reminding me that I remain in the latter category for a mere 12 more weeks. I had just brought myself to the point to where I was comfortable being in my 30's. ;)


Anyway, I think it interesting to see how our "tastes" change as we get older as well as our willingness to try out something new.

Abolutely. But I also think it is interesting to see the different ways that people define "adventurous".

Myself, I'm not as adventurous as I wish I were. I have a very open mind to new music and new food, but you won't get me jumping out of a plane anytime soon.

[Capt Jack]

I had just brought myself to the point to where I was comfortable being in my 30's. ;)


heh. well if its any help, 39 was where I started my freakout. once I crossed 40, I was cool with it. now that Im rapidly closing the gap between where I am and 50 I think I'll handle that a lot better than I ever did "approaching 40".

hmmm....with that, I think Im due for a new 'midlife crisis' (as if I'll make it to 100 :p )...anyone have ideas for the next one?

[lizziebith]

Ahhhh, finally got to listen to the program. I took notes! [/nerd] I found the connection the neurobiologist made between success in ones (one's?) field and risk-taking to be a most interesting factor. I've hopped about between potential careers over and over...and now that I've finally got financial security I'm more interested than ever in play. The key element is that I don't have any emotion whatsoever invested in my current career. It's fun, I like my colleagues, and the pay is great -- and I don't care if I ever move "up." I didn't train for this job -- in fact I never would have imagined I'd end up as a glorified secretary after grad school and a lifetime of kinda hoping to end up as an artist. But the "being able to walk away" aspect appeals enormously, and bleeds over into a general feeling of freedom. I think that because I've never really "grown up" -- read: taken a permanent job that I truly care about -- I'm able to stay young (childish?) in other areas. The fun part about being older is that I have money now to spend on books, music, travel, new experiences. Maybe the lack of risk is found in the fact that I do things I can afford, whereas younger folks do those same things whether they can afford to or not.

As to the benchmarks?
1) Music -- still seek out new stuff ALL the time. Makes the kid pretty proud.
2) Sushi -- tried in my twenties, but due to my seafood aversion is still out. Isn't an age thing for me.
3) Piercings -- tongue, no. Nose -- did in 84. Still wear it sometimes. Friends have the tongue labret and make clicking noises when they talk...cute, but I can't do it. Navel...well I'd like to!

[innerSpaceman]

Whether or not it's less "adventurous," I don't much like roughing it any more.

While I still want to organize a LoT camping trip for next Spring ... I find I'm more the cabin type than the tent type nowadays.

And if I find myself trekking across Europe, it will be from hotel suite to hotel suite.

But the urge to trek across Europe, and to be close to nature so I can kayak on the river and climb high in the mountains is still there. A bit has changed with age ... but mostly due to creature comfort desires rather than adventure yen changes.

[MouseWife]

Whether or not it's less "adventurous," I don't much like roughing it any more.

While I still want to organize a LoT camping trip for next Spring ... I find I'm more the cabin type than the tent type nowadays.

And if I find myself trekking across Europe, it will be from hotel suite to hotel suite.

But the urge to trek across Europe, and to be close to nature so I can kayak on the river and climb high in the mountains is still there. A bit has changed with age ... but mostly due to creature comfort desires rather than adventure yen changes.

Oh, I so hear you on this. I don't know if we can make it if you guys plan the Yosemite thing but while I liked the looks of a big gang of people hooking up at Housekeeping Camp {the set up with lights, tables set up to play cards, music, people next to you that you KNOW} and I even bought gear {but I just like to shop} inside my mind is leaning towards 'No way!!'

Also, I am booking hotels all up the coast of CA/OR and then back down the innerds of CA and when I was younger, price was it. I wanted to save money, I wasn't worried what we would get, as long as it was clean, heck it was only one night.

But, I just CAN'T do it!! I am booking nicer places, even if we are just going to be there to sleep and breakfast.

Is this a sign of age or an indication that I am paranoid of freaks and bed bugs?

[lashbear]

when I was younger, price was it. I wanted to save money, I wasn't worried what we would get, as long as it was clean, heck it was only one night.

But, I just CAN'T do it!! I am booking nicer places, even if we are just going to be there to sleep and breakfast.

Is this a sign of age or an indication that I am paranoid of freaks and bed bugs?

Actually, my theory is when you travel whilst young, price IS a big deciding factor, and then as you get older with more assets and capital on your side you think "Bugger this, I'm going to get the best accommodation I can, because I've earned it !"

There's also the fact that the world has lost it's innocence and the media breeds paranoia - EG. we were contemplating a camping trip to newnes http://www.lisp.com.au/~newnesk/ and we would have done this in a flash while we were young and didn't think too much about things - but now we're older and wiser, and considering that society is changing for the worse (for example, the likes of Ivan Milat and the Balangalow State Forest Murders), are you all that safe sleeping in a tent with only a bit of material between you and a knife ?

And then there's the thought of child-molesters hanging around campsites to perv on your kids in the communal shower blocks etc...

Let's face it - you can't do things now that you could years ago - like hitch-hike your way around the country, or sleep on the beach, or even sleep in your car at the side of the road !

The more you know about the modern world and the people in it, the scarier it becomes, and the less you want to expose yourself to the danger.

Having said that, we're probably still going to Newnes this year :D

[lashbear]

we were contemplating a camping trip to newnes http://www.lisp.com.au/~newnesk/ and we would have done this in a flash while we were young ......
......Having said that, we're probably still going to Newnes this year :D

We're such pushovers !! Having looked at the website we've just booked the caravan for a weekend in September ! Yay - only 1 month to go !!! :snap: :cheers: :D

[MouseWife]

Actually, my theory is when you travel whilst young, price IS a big deciding factor, and then as you get older with more assets and capital on your side you think "Bugger this, I'm going to get the best accommodation I can, because I've earned it !"

There's also the fact that the world has lost it's innocence and the media breeds paranoia - EG. we were contemplating a camping trip to newnes http://www.lisp.com.au/~newnesk/ and we would have done this in a flash while we were young and didn't think too much about things - but now we're older and wiser, and considering that society is changing for the worse (for example, the likes of Ivan Milat and the Balangalow State Forest Murders), are you all that safe sleeping in a tent with only a bit of material between you and a knife ?

And then there's the thought of child-molesters hanging around campsites to perv on your kids in the communal shower blocks etc...

Let's face it - you can't do things now that you could years ago - like hitch-hike your way around the country, or sleep on the beach, or even sleep in your car at the side of the road !

The more you know about the modern world and the people in it, the scarier it becomes, and the less you want to expose yourself to the danger.

Having said that, we're probably still going to Newnes this year :D

Oh my gosh. All of the above, I guess. On top of the yuck factor.

Yeah for your plans!!!

[Not Afraid]

Eh, I love camping in a tent, still.

[wendybeth]

Eh, I love camping in a tent, still.

I like tent camping, but I use an air mattress these days. (On the rare occasion when I do get to go camping). I really want a tent like the Weasley's- that would be the way to go!

[lindyhop]

There was something near the end of the radio piece (which I'm now going to muddle up) saying that as you get older the changes you have to face make so much of the world feel like quicksand so you crave the solidness of the familiar. I've been thinking about this and I think for me it's the "life's too short" syndrome. Disneyland and I are both in the same decade of life and for me, life is too short to put up with crap or waste time doing things I don't enjoy. So sometimes that translates into not trying something new that I might not like and sticking with the tried and true. (Ah, even the cliches are more comfortable...)

Adventurousness is pretty relative. Compared to this group I'd say I'm mostly unadventurous. But compared to people I spend most of my time with (work, family) I live life in the fast lane.

[Prudence]

I don't mind tent camping, but my "tent" is a enormous center pole hub-and-spoke design (no guy ropes needed; extremely stable) made of campus and a pita to transport/set-up. But when it is set up -- yay! Still haven't finished the slat bed, though. I need to b uy a jigsaw since I moved away from my loaner a few years ago and it's sat half-finished ever since.

[MouseWife]

The closest I've been to tent camping was Housekeeping Camp. But, since then, I did purchase air mattresses in case we go back....Which we almost just made reservations for and the Hubster said we wouldn't need the air matresses!! :eek: I somehow weasled out of THAT and changed the dates for when we would have a nice room. :D

My back is what mostly doesn't like camping...

[SzczerbiakManiac]

At my last concert at the Trubidor, I was the creepy old guy.That's exactly how I feel when I go to Rocky Horror! Not that I let that stop me.

[alphabassettgrrl]

age 35 was a mark where 95% of the population was no longer interested in listening to new music

at age 39, 95% of the population who had not already tried sushi would try sushi

When it came to tongue piercings 95% occured between the ages of 16-23

I'm over 35 and while being willing to listen to new music, I find I don't have the energy to seek it out myself. I have been falling away from music entirely lately, and listening to NPR nearly exclusively, with AM1070 as a backup.

I'm under 39 but I love sushi. I'm perfectly happy to try new food though some of the ... "delicacies" make me cringe. I'll try it, but wow. Can't believe some of the things people call food.

Piercings... not so much a fan of them. I have considered a tattoo, but it would have to be something meaningful to me, not just "it was pretty". I work with guys who have "just-because" tattoos and I wonder what they'll think when they are my age. I know I wouldn't want them.

Sky-diving: still on the to-do list.
Shark diving: still on the list.
Bungee jumping: not so much. Not afraid, just not interested.
Scuba diving: certified, just don't like the water all that much.

The newest hobby in the ABG house is biking. Hubby and I bought bikes and since May I've put nearly 700 miles on mine. He's got over 900. Our city is small enough that bicycles are perfect; I can be nearly anywhere in town within 3 miles. Makes me happy though I'm not sure it counts as adventure.

[flippyshark]

On my list - shark diving for sure. It isn't age or lack of adventurous spirit that stops me. It's money, plain and simple. There are a lot of fairly adventurous things I'd love to try, but that money thing trumps most of them.

The older I get, the more I desire to travel, largely because I have done very little of it in my lifetime, and I'm starting to dread that my clock will run out before I manage to see the world.

One reason I don't like a lot of current music is that I don't find it nearly adventurous enough! I definitely rely on friends with eclectic tastes to introduce me to new music. (The LoT is a good place to be for that.) I admit that with age, I am no longer investing as much time investigating new sounds. The reward to effort ratio hasn't been as good lately, and that is probably a function of "nothing sounds new to me."

[alphabassettgrrl]

I've been pondering this. For me, I think it's more a lowered tolerance for discomfort, as well as being lazy.