A friend of the blog recently had a birthday and told me they were now "old." That didn't seem right to me. Yeah, that person is older than I am, but "old" is always something in the future, a long way off. Mentally, we're always benchmarked to high school or college or whatever time when life was really hopping for us. No one really ever gets "old," do they?

To answer that question, I decided I'd do what everyone else does these days: I'd ask AI. Specifically, I asked Microsoft's Copilot.

PROMPT:

When does a person become old?

RESPONSE:

The concept of "becoming old" varies widely depending on culture, perspective, and personal experience. Biologically, aging is a gradual process, and people may feel "old" at different stages depending on their physical health, lifestyle, or societal milestones.

In some societies, old age is associated with retirement—commonly around 65 years old—or when one begins to feel the effects of aging in their daily life. Emotionally or mentally, though, "feeling old" can be tied to experiences, maturity, or even one's outlook on life. Some say you're only as old as you feel!

What are your thoughts on aging? Do you think it’s more about physical changes or a state of mind?

I know I shouldn't say such things about our new AI overlords, but that's some bullshit vague answer right there. If I wanted to know what I thought, I wouldn't have asked it.

Obviously we're building the future on discarded fortune cookies and horoscopes. Which I think answers my original question: "old" knows better.

Happy Birthday, smarty, whoever you are.

Interesting footnote: While I was typing this up, the Music Choice '80s channel on my television started playing Rod Stewart's "Forever Young." Coincidence? Or is the AI trying to tell me something? You be the judge! (If you choose the latter, know that the prior song was "It's Raining Men" by The Weather Girls. Work that into your cosmology.)

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I've been sick for most of the past two weeks, ever since former friend Ken infected me with his blech at the the Georgia Tech/UGA game. (No, seriously, Ken. You will get your comeuppance for this.)

When I was sick back in March 2017, I had a delightful piece of art from friend Cam to post while I recovered. Luckily for me (and you), she's been back to work.

Keep up the good work, Cam. I eagerly look forward to seeing what you'll have for me to post when I'm sick in 2019!

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Not so long ago, Cam suggested that there should be an official Wriphe.com Seal of Approval. I approved of her suggestion.

And now I approve of this.

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I'm sick.

That doesn't happen often. I think the last time I was sick was last spring. Once a year seems about right.

The only good thing about being sick is it give me an excuse to post this picture of an awesome wreath that friend Cam made last year out of Coca-Cola bottle caps.

When I do die (which won't happen from this illness, but is, sooner or later, inevitable), I don't want flowers. I want wreathes of Coke caps.

I'm super jealous that Cam finds time to make such cool art, while all I'm doing with my free time between coding video games is writing novels and getting sick. Obviously, I need to do something about my priorities.

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