By Steve
From community gardening via Zoom to building apps with AI – get inspired!
A Feel-Good Friday!
Happy Friday! It's easy to get caught up in news that makes technology seem complicated or even a bit concerning. But often, the most powerful stories are about how people, every single day, are using these tools in wonderfully human ways – to connect, to create, and to share their passions. Today, we're spotlighting three fantastic individuals and groups who are doing just that, proving that age is no barrier to becoming a tech-savvy creator or community builder.
Here are three real stories showing the incredible ways seniors are leveraging technology:
Bonnetta Adeeb, a 74-year-old retired history teacher, founded the Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance (UCFA) in 2020 to help communities reconnect (over Zoom!) with their agricultural heritage. Recognizing the importance of preserving culturally significant crops, Adeeb utilized digital tools to gather oral histories from elders about traditional gardening practices. This information was compiled into an online seed catalog, enabling the distribution of heirloom seeds and the revival of ancestral farming knowledge. Her initiative not only fosters food sovereignty but also strengthens cultural identity among Black and Indigenous communities.
Phil Shapiro, a 64-year-old library associate at the Takoma Park Maryland Library, has dedicated over two decades to promoting digital literacy. He assists both children and adults in navigating computer technology, emphasizing the importance of open-source software. Beyond his library work, Shapiro creates educational YouTube content and develops free math games to encourage learning outside traditional classrooms. His commitment to accessible education and technology has earned him recognition, including the Library Journal's Movers & Shakers 2024 Award in the Educators category.
At 89, Tomiji Suzuki embarked on a journey into app development to address the needs of Japan's aging population. Utilizing ChatGPT as a learning tool, he taught himself coding and created 11 free iPhone applications designed to assist seniors with daily tasks. One notable app provides a slideshow of essential items to remember before leaving the house, inspired by Suzuki's own experience of forgetting his dentures. By integrating technology into his retirement years, Suzuki exemplifies how lifelong learning can lead to innovations that enhance the lives of others.
These stories show us that the digital world isn't just for the young – it's a space where experience, wisdom, and fresh perspectives can lead to truly wonderful things.
Quick Tech Tip
Inspired to learn something new? Many universities and organizations offer free online courses (sometimes called MOOCs - Massive Open Online Courses). Websites like Coursera, edX, and Khan Academy have classes on everything from history and art to technology and science. Often, you can "audit" these courses for free, giving you access to lectures and materials without needing to pay or do graded assignments.
Tech Term Demystified: AI (Artificial Intelligence)
We've mentioned AI a few times, and Mr. Suzuki’s story shows its power. At its core, AI involves teaching computers to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. This includes learning from examples, recognizing patterns (in images, sounds, or text), understanding language, and even making predictions or generating new ideas. Think of it less like a sci-fi robot and more like a highly advanced assistant that can process information and learn in ways that help us solve problems, create new things, and understand the world better. We will have more information about this in newsletters in the coming weeks.
Did You Know?
Online communities aren't a new phenomenon! Long before the web as we know it, people connected through "Bulletin Board Systems" (BBSes) starting in the late 1970s. Users would dial in directly with their modems (remember those sounds?) to leave messages, share files, and play games – an early glimpse into the connected world we live in today.
What Will You Explore?
Seeing others learn and create can be a great motivator! Is there a tech skill you've been curious about, or an online community you'd like to join? Let us know what sparks your interest – hit reply and share your thoughts!
A Little Bit of Fun
"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young." - Henry Ford
Have a fantastic weekend, and keep learning!
Warmly,
Steve and The Hotline Team