Aging myths, hmmm, let’s see, … is this about some very old myths? Well, yes and no. All a bit cryptic isn’t it. I’ve noticed that a lot of information about aging is rather difficult to decipher. Why is that, I wonder?
I think part of the problem is that many theories abound about aging but the truth is no one really understands it. That is hard enough to understand for some people. Many hold the view that since one can see evidence of aging all around us, surely medical scientists have a good understanding of it even if they can’t quite figure out how to stop it.
Again, the truth is, no one really understands it. So the first myth is that aging is understood and that scientists know all the secrets to stoping the clock. The reality is that a great deal is known but that doesn’t always help. Sounds strange doesn’t it? Let me explain.
You see, there is a lot of empirical data (that is, collections of what can actually be directly observed) but for the data to be collected, a framework of understanding must first exist. This helps to inform just what it is one is actually observing for and why that is to be observed rather than something else. It sets up what questions can be asked.
This means that scientists begin with some model or theory to work from. This conceptual structure literally frames the very questions to be asked and hence the nature of the observations to be made and data to be collected. Now, before we even get to noting that it also determines the approach to the data analysis, you should be able to spot a weakness here.
Yes, that’s it. If you start with a poor model or theory you can at best only achieve a poor outcome. This is where I think the biggest problem exists: in working out what questions to ask. Until that is solved we will see very little real advance in our actual understanding of the aging process, even though we see it evey day.
This doesn’t mean that nothing is known. It doesn’t even mean that very little is known; indeed quite a lot is known about aging already. However, it strikes me as being like a case of many individuals who have never seen an elephant, all wearing blindfolds and trying to describe an elephant while they each feel a different part. What they describe may be correct, if a little confused at times, but there is no chance that feeling one part will allow them to understand an elephant. Or even to develop a useful description.
No one really has an holistic overview and the models of understanding employed by modern science are anything but holistic. Until this can be addressed truely significant advances are extremely unlikely.
In Part 2 on aging I will discuss some of the other myths directly. We’ll consider some of the common ideas about aging and see what is useful. This may enhance your awareness of aging even if not your understanding! If we have time we’ll also briefly consider some of the more significant theories of aging. If we don’t fit that into Part 2 we can always run a Part 3. That’s one of the perks of being the editor!