AS I type this, my left eye is straining because the computer screen is too close and my right because it's too far away. If I put on my glasses, I have to crane my neck to see it out of the bottom half of my bifocals. It's humbling. Behold, the new
ageless societySo is knowing that our market-driven culture is molded by the desires of the young. While carefully detailing the wonts of under-18-year-olds, 18-24s, 24-30s, etc., market surveys often lump everybody over 50 into a uniform, gray mass of Polident and Geritol users.
Naturally, therefore, my interest was piqued by a Reuters piece that began: ''You are hot. You are with it. You are over 50.'' Yes, I am.
Many economists have made careers out of predicting the impact of the Baby Boom. It's an evergreen phenomenon. As Boomers leave one phase of life and enter another, we defy conventions about how people that age act and bring our undeniable numbers to bear.
Over-50s now make up a mere third of the U.S. population but spend 50 percent of its disposable income, own 70 percent of its assets and control 80 percent of savings. ''Unlike years past when over-50s were considered 'old,' '' the story said, ''shoppers in this age bracket are considered 'most desirable.' ''
More and more, new products are aimed at over-50s: foot-, skin- and hair-care products, roomier pants and high-fashion reading glasses, for example.
Yup, I'm in the market for a pair of those.
John Flanagan is editor and publisher of the Star-Bulletin.
To reach him call 525-8612, fax to 523-8509, send
e-mail to publisher@starbulletin.com or write to
P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, Hawaii 96802.