I recently wrote about two AI companies going to court over who gets to sell their users’ data. It was a pot-vs-kettle situation with a big elephant standing in the back: The only ones completely ignored are the people who create all the value yet receive nothing for it.
One reader response surprised me. Rachel said the article better helped her understand the current tech madness. “I avoid AI as best I can. I avoid putting any real writing into any social media, all due to scraping,” she wrote. Her reasoning was straightforward: “It is so wrong for all these creators to not receive any sort of acknowledgement financial or otherwise.”
But it was Rachel’s next and last sentence that really made me think: “I am glad I’ve reached 70 and [am] on the slowdown side of life.”
For one, it beautifully explained why Rachel had such a clear opinion and was comfortable voicing it. Once you’ve reached your eighth decade, you know who you are and what you stand for—and you no longer have enough time to care what other people think about it. That’s one advantage of getting older.
What struck me most about her comment, however, was the sense of gratitude. “I’m happy I’m 70 and slowly riding into the sunset. It’s nice.” That’s what Rachel seemed to say. Most of us are worried about hitting 30 and 40, many outright afraid to reach 60, 70, and beyond. But age brings more than health problems and a lack of energy. If you take the right road to get there, it’ll also bring wisdom, confidence, and appreciation.
Don’t look forward with a frown. It’s still a gift to reach the second half of a century. And if you do, better yet, you can enjoy the slowdown side of life.
