The person in question is a Congressman, I want those people always learning, being curious, evaluating deeply what they're voting on. This person knows the law and how it's made, having them know a lot more about tech is not a bad thing.

But hobbies are still learning. But as soon as my mom stopped with hobbies and learning she started a steep mental decline. So "get busy living or get busy dying" does seem to apply.

Keeping yourself busy with something is by far the most effective way of preventing or at least delaying/slowing mental decline. The brain needs exercise just like the rest of the body to stay healthy.

I didn't say anything about retiring, working, etc. You can grow plenty in retirement too. My prediction is that if someone doesn't grow - explore and learn new things - however they do it, they'll deteriorate and lose much of their enjoyment. The brain and soul need the stimulation of new things.

> You're applying an adage about companies to people, but companies need to fight against inflation, and people don't.

It's interesting that multiple people read 'grow' as economic growth, when we know it means much more. (Also, companies don't grow to overcome inflation, but to provide ROI to their owners.)

I might be reading it wrong, but I don't think that's what they're trying to say. You're right, people should be able to. But people should also be encouraged and helped if it's their desire to continue to grow.

To me it feels like society virtually throws seniors away and I don't believe we treat them well at all.

Personally I think once you stop learning and growing it's the start of a 'faster' downward spiral. If you don't use it you lose it. I intend to keep active and continually growing as long as I have the desire, not because society says you're old, out of date and couldn't possibly contribute any more.

>What's wrong with retiring and living out your last years peacefully relaxing with your hobbies and family?

in reality it's a lot less enticing than it sounds. Younger family tends to move on with their own life, and spouses and older relatives tend to die once you get old.

Working in older age gives you a wide social circle, stimulation and purpose that is desperately needed if you want to stay healthy and especially mentally fit. I've seen it so often that as soon as people retire they decline like crazy. Hobbies don't sustain anyone.

Even the mentality of "my last days" already sounds like you're clocking out. Every day might be your last day, even when you're not old.

I'm going to assume based on your username that you're about the same age as me (30ish).

This is far from universal, and I can personally name quite a few people who have absolutely avoiding rotting in old age through participation in local community - makerspaces, bridge clubs, Rotary and more.

The family moving away and leaving the older generation to rot is also far from the global norm. Even in Western countries, Asians, Islanders and Africans (among other groups) maintain strong familial bonds until the day they die.

I'd argue hobbies are growth though. People might not be racing to smash new frontiers, but they do learn at a steady pace with hobbies, even if it's as simple as developing some dexterity for a particular task.

> People might not be racing to smash new frontiers, but they do learn at a steady pace with hobbies, even if it's as simple as developing some dexterity for a particular task.

The need is to smash, or more gently explore and master, new frontiers for you.

(And to the extent you desire it, that's what really leads to new frontiers for society - personal passion and growth, leads to projects, leads to a revelation for everyone.)

An American man of 72 in average health has a mean life expectancy of 85, but that stretches to 97 for 72 year olds in the 95th percentile. So this Congressman might be staring down 25 years or a quarter of his life at the age of 72. That’s a long time to be relaxing. Good for him.

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

That was written by a young person (20-something?) about their parent.