Older People Are Invisible in Key Data, Study Warns, and Marquel, TPVs NYTimes Ralph Ellison Section correspondent, wandered in the desert for about 10 minutes.
The inability to see them makes them easy prey for pedestrian accidents of course. But if they are driving a car or riding a bike, there is far less danger because the vehicle is still visible despite the shock of some passersby who see for the first time a bicycle being ridden by an invisible rider. But the most serious problem is for social scientists gathering data. If they can’t be seen, they can’t be easily interviewed.
The social security administration, has added a question to its questionnaire right at the top: “Client visible □”
But social scientists are making headway locating the invisible elderly.
“These people, whether you can see them or not, need food, shelter, health care, social security, just like anybody else who is normally visible. We can’t just walk away from them,” said one researcher.
Social scientists say the first clue to an elder is when you knock on the door, it opens, but no one seems there.
In fact, the trick, it appears, is not to walk away. “Old people have a peculiar odor, often like stale urine. They also are very gassy. So even if it seems there’s nobody there, you’ll eventually smell them if they are. It’s important to wait and sniff.” Said the researcher.
Exactly why so many elders are becoming invisible is a mystery. Physicists deny it’s possible but several of their parents have also disappeared causing much inner turmoil.
Dr. Robert Munch, of Columbia University high energy physics department said, “I wouldn’t believe it if it didn’t happen to me. One day dad was at the table for breakfast, the next day I couldn’t see him. We spend the same on food and heat and utilities but we can’t see him.”
Can you smell him?” I asked.
“Oh you bet. That’s how we know he’s there. But I can’t be rude with him.” The physicist said.
“How could this happen?” I asked.
“There’s a lot of theories. A lot of questions. But few answers. It’s like in the lab. There are things you don’t notice but the results show there’s something there. You don’t see it at first because you think it’s unimportant. But suddenly you discover a particle that’s essential to life itself.” He observed.
“That’s sort of like parents, isn’t it?” I asked.
He grinned. He was a smart guy. “I know where you’re going with that. But my dad is really important to me.”
“Have you told him that?” I asked.
“Actually no.” He said.
So if you see an empty bike whizzing by, or suddenly smell something unpleasant while drinking at a bar, just shout out,
“Do you know how much you matter to me?”
It’s just an experiment but why not?
***
By MARQUEL: The Elderly, Sometimes a Man’s Best Friend
Fantastic story.
Crazy sh*t. Loved it, Bro.
Perfect pitch
Ditto
Ditto2