'Hack' is a wonderfully versatile word. It can be applied in a derogatory way to a journalist, it can be used to describe riding a horse for light exercise, and it can describe someone who gains unauthorised access to a computer system. Since 2004, it has increasingly become known as a synonym for 'tip,' or 'hint,' after a journalist at a technology conference used the word to describe the shortcuts IT professionals use in their day jobs. 'Hack' in this sense has now become so all-pervasive that it is used to describe almost any tip, piece of advice, suggestion or shortcut, and frankly, it grates with me more than somewhat. You might say I've become a bit hacked off by it.[1]
Whereas once upon a time, magazines or websites would print articles with headlines like, 'Ten Tips To Top Topiary', they now scream '10 Awesome Life Hacks You Must Try!' If your timelines on social media are anything like mine, you will frequently see links to sites containing all sorts of advice. And those incredible pieces of advice include things that most people can think of for themselves like, 'Put old newspaper at the bottom of your bin to absorb juices.' Then there is the 'hack' that suggests placing a wooden spoon across the top of a saucepan, which apparently is supposed to stop it boiling over by bursting the bubbles. I tried it; it doesn't. I now read through some of these 'hacks' with an increasing sense of incredulity at the banality of most of them, many of which merely prompt me to ask why would I even want to do some of these things, even if they did work?
Occasionally, however, I come across something that, while I am initially sceptical, does actually offer some useful advice. I saw one recently that reinforced some of my own thoughts, and while it is human nature to look approvingly on something that endorses our own beliefs, what struck me was that the article, entitled '10 ways to get healthier after 60' (it's on CNN's website at https://edition.cnn.com/2019/02/11/health/seniors-healthy-habits-partner/index.html), was generally much more sensible and measured than some of the other, similar offerings I have seen. I also probably looked at it more favourably because it did not include the word 'hack.' I don't intend going through each and every piece of advice given on the website, but there were some that I think worth repeating, albeit with a caveat or two.
"Buy great sneakers," is the first tip, and while sneakers is a word that would rarely if ever pass my lips, the general principle of investing in a good, solid pair of shoes for walking is sound. My favourite shoes for walking are rubber soled and suede, but I also have a pair of brogues made by Hush Puppy that I used to wear for work and which must be at least a decade old now, and in which I have walked many a mile; they are beginning to look a little tatty now, but I will be sad when they finally give up the ghost. That said, I once walked a good ten miles while on holiday in Majorca wearing a pair of canvas shoes that cost a fiver from Matalan, and suffered no ill effects, so spending a lot of money on walking shoes may not be necessary. As I mentioned last week, walking is now my principal form of exercise, so a pair of shoes that I can walk five or ten miles in comfortably is an absolute must, and why some of my pairs are now quite ancient since once I've found shoes that I can do that in, I am reluctant to part with them.
The second tip relates to balance, and here I found that a gap exists between theory and practice. I like to think my balance is quite good, however trying to stand on one leg with my eyes closed proved more difficult than I had imagined; frankly I couldn't do it without shuffling sideways until I had to give in. My advice here is that if you are going to try this, don't do it within four or five feet of any objects with sharp corners, and under no circumstances try it at the top of the stairs. This exercise is aimed at avoiding falls, which I guess is something that is much more likely to be a concern for those of us of a certain age, and which brings us nicely to tip number six, 'Hit the floor.' Occasionally we all end up on the floor by accident rather than design, and getting up again can be challenging, so the advice is to get down on the floor regularly to practice getting up again. From experience, getting down to floor level, whether it is to clean skirting boards, or fiddling with leads and cables, becomes increasingly tricky with age, and getting up again afterwards even more so, generally achieved only with some much groaning and wincing, and sometimes only by levering myself up on a piece of furniture, so a bit of practice does not go amiss. If you think it unlikely that you will able to get up again, it is probably wise not to attempt this unless there is someone else at home to help get up, unless you want to experience how a tortoise feels when flipped on its back. This activity can be combined with the standing on one leg business if, like me, you cannot actually stand on one leg.
When I was in the last few months of working prior to retirement, my employers laid on some seminars run by a company called Working Transitions. Some of them were a waste of time, but some provided useful advice, which mirrors some ideas on the CNN site. Tackle a project was one, and my blog has been just that. I've mentioned before that work creates a routine and a structure to our lives and whether we like the work or not, it gives us a sense of purpose (see https://rulesfoolsandwisemen.blogspot.com/2013/01/its-life-jim-but-not-as-we-know-it.html) and I found that my blog, and the things that I do for the football club I support helped immensely in not only creating a structure and routine but kept me sharp mentally. One lesson that I took from the seminars was that it is good to try new things, and if they are useful, persist with them, but if not then discard them.
Finally, there is the idea of embracing self-improvement. As the site suggests, local authorities run courses in a whole host of activities, which are either free or cost little, and there are plenty of online courses too. The Open University has a subsidiary called Future Learn (see https://www.futurelearn.com/) that offers a wide range of courses in subjects as diverse as writing fiction, people management, and cybersecurity. Most are free (some charge for a certificate of completion, although it is not compulsory). I have tried a couple and they are very good, thought provoking and educational.
I would be really interested to hear any hints or useful pieces of advice or wisdom that readers have come across - especially if they actually work - so long as no one refers to them as 'hacks!'
[1] Throughout this blog I have used inverted commas when referring to 'hacks' as I refuse to embrace using the word as though it were a legitimate expression.
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment