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Study: middle-aged people unimpressed with modern technology
The Olds -- they're never happy, are they? Just look at this study conducted by the feared and respected Zogby International. According to a poll, those aged 35-54 are most disappointed by how far technology has come by 2010, having grown up with the concept of that Jetsons robot that automatically brushes your teeth and the promise of Sleeper's Orgasmatron. Still, 21 percent of Emperor Zogby's subjects said tech was more advanced than they would have imagined, while another 37 percent claimed we were right on track with our technological achievements. But what about the super old people, you ask? Well go figure, a third of those queried 70 years of age and over said our current tech was basically blowing their collective minds (or, was more advanced than they expected). Said one respondent, "I never know where the next robot attack is coming from."
Old people experience Wii, could this help grandkids?
Given the way the Wii is selling, Nintendo can let their gaming drought go on for a good while. Their marketing scheme to diversify the gaming demographic is getting them good press. And from the looks of it, all old people need is Wii Sports to be happy before Death comes aknockin' on their door.Reuters helps Nintendo along by covering another old folks home where the elderly are just thrilled to death over the Wii Sports. Studies have shown that the elderly aren't into the newfangled complicated games so they're quite content with some chair tennis or bowling. As Flora Dierbach, 72, puts it, "It's a very social thing and it's good exercise ... and you don't have to throw a 16-pound bowling ball to get results."Like a raptor in the tall grass, Nintendo is patient and knows the prey is easy. They just wait and coast on the good press and strong sales of the Wii. Old people will continue to enjoy their Wii Sports and may end up purchasing a few other titles, giving just a little bit of extra money to Nintendo. Of course, the real coup d'etat is when Grandma buys the grandkids a Wii because they've played it and don't see anything "wrong" with it.
Nintendo's Wii a hit with the geriatric set?
No, we don't expect the vast majority of elderly folks kickin' it in a retirement home to honestly show any interest in video games (right?), but apparently, the Wii's at least making some minor strides in getting the geriatric set up and active with virtual sports. While we assume those suffering from lingering hip injuries are apt to join the (admittedly quiet) cheerleading section, a group of athletic 70-somethings from Sedgebrook retirement community are "hooked on Wii Sports," with bowling being the unanimous favorite. The response has been so positive that the locale is actually cranking up a 20-person tournament for an undisclosed reward, and while the residents have often commented about how "realistic" the Wiimote was in tossing the ball, the community actually has a fan for folks to dry their hands off before rolling a strike -- which is probably a smart move considering the potentially fatal injuries that could occur from slippage. Still, an isolated incident of fun-lovin' grandparents getting their game on isn't apt to convince us that the next big gaming market is in retirees, and honestly, how many elderly folks rushed out to snag a Wii for the grandchild, and ended up keeping it for themselves?[Via DailyTech, thanks Randall B]
U. Texas Prof. studies gaming grannies (and grand-dads) [update 1]
Prof. Mihai Nadin is showing old people the light by introducing them to the benefits of video games. The University of Texas at Dallas professor is testing various applications to help the elderly maintain their "cognitive, anticipatory and physical skills."Nadin has been studying the geriatrics for two years now collecting all sorts of sensory date, tracking their cardiac and respiratory rates, and even saliva secretions (there's a lot of info in spit -- seriously). His hope is to create a new category of games for the aging.It's fantastic for old people to play video games, particularly in the U.S. where voting is for old people and the apathy of young voters distorts the political climate. The more elderly people that play games, the more accidental political power will be generated for gamers. Instead of parents being told to play games with their children, young people should play with their elders and encourage dialog to help them better understand all the different types of games out there.[Update 1: Apologies, this is a duplicate, but you should still vote and play with your elders.]
