AGNES Allows The Young To Experience Instant 'Aging'
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Most of us have at some point or another become impatient with a 'slow, bumbling' elderly adult or a grandparent 'moaning' about aches and pains. Would we be as dismissive, if we knew what they were going through?
Now, thanks to the AGNES (Age Gain Now Empathy System) suit developed by The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Age Lab, we can all experience the plight of the elderly.
Thankfully, however, the transformation is not a result of an irreversible chemical reaction, but a temporary condition caused by different gadgets that are attached to the suit. To emulate slow movement and joint pain, two stretchy bands, restrict the legs from extending all the way. A special helmet with straps attaches to the spine and alters body posture, so that person can experience how it feels to walk around with a little stoop.
Special shoes restrict the gait by reducing hamstring flexibility. And that's not all - Wear the gloves that come with the suit, and you will realize why the elderly cannot lift things as deftly as a young person. To complete the experience, AGNES comes with special earphones that make it difficult to hear to hear really sharp or soft sounds.
While an AGNES experience is bound to emanate some sympathy for the elderly, that is not the primary purpose behind its creation. It has largely been invented so that designers and engineers can create safer crosswalks, stairs, accessible grocery aisles and so on - A very important consideration given that the elderly population in the US alone, is expected to exceed over 7.2 million, by the year 2030.
In addition, AGNES has been modeled after an adult who has led an extremely unhealthy life, hence projecting a senior citizen in the worst possible health condition. By doing so, the scientists are hoping to encourage today's youth to make better food choices and remain active, which in turn, will help them age better.
So, the next time you are feeling lazy or eating too much junk, be sure to reflect back on AGNES and, while 75 may seem like eons of years away, it will come by sooner than you think - Just ask your grandparents!
Resources: latimes.com, tested.com,odditycentral.com
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186 Comments
- Katie Tannerover 13 yearsI think its tragic that they age at a young age
- Katie Tannerover 13 yearsWhen your young you should really. . . get off the couch and stop playing video games or TV! And get some excercise.
- Gabby T.over 13 yearsIn fifth grade, you should follow the rules, be nice to one another, help other students and teachers, and do your homework(even though you really dont want to). It is important to respect your teachers and be nice to them because they work so hard to help you youngsters get a good education! Be very careful in gym or when you are playing because if you do not take care of your body you can get seriousley injured. You could maybe ride your bike or walk the dog or just exersise at home. If you want to live for a long time, take good care of your body and your body will reward you with a long, good, healthey life!
- liethover 13 yearsMy father said," I have to eat less and stay healthey", because when I grow up I will have a very good health that allows me to stay comfotable. And I have to eat less junk food, eat veggies, and do more sports. if you stay unhealthy, you will have a shorter life span and get sick often, so thats why its important stay healthy when your young, because it affects you when you get older. The ANGES cloths is very interesting! so evreybody will feel how old person is behaving and doing! I hope by eating healthier, I will delay the aging process.
- David P.over 13 yearsGet off the couch, turn the T.V. off, and stop being lazy. You need to act fast if your one of those kind of people that watch T.V., eat junk food and be lazy all day. But if you are one of those people then here are some ways you can fix those problems, always remember to exercice, either go play outside, stretch, jump rope, or run a few laps. Then eat heathy, don`t grab a soda or chips instead eat an apple or drink some water. And finally stop being lazy, instead ask your parents if they need any help doing chores or if that doesen`t work help someone else like elders. But if you don`t do these things and do the opposite then it`s your fault because when you are an elder your going to be weak and unhealthy. This is why it`s important to take care of yourself when you are still young. So what are you waiting for? Be healthy and be happy.
- Brendon Pover 13 yearsThis article was just right for me. My dad is older and I understand what they go through. He always tells me that I have to stay in shape, and that you have to eat the right foods. He also says I have to do physical activities. My dad always eats salad with his dinner and he exercises a lot. He tells me that eating out is not that good for you. He says that you need to take care of our minds as well. Your body is like a well oiled machine if you take care of it, it will work well. On the other hand, if you dont take care of it, it will brake. Unfortunately with your body you can not replace it. So if you take good care of your body when you are young you will enjoy a better life when you are older. Lay of junk food, play outside eat a lot of fruit and veggies, and drink plenty of water.
- Lidia Mover 13 yearsI think that everyone should stay healthy when they are young, so they won't have disabilities when they are older. I feel bad for the elders. I wish we could do something for them, like maybe help them with their daily chores. Young people should be healthy to stay that way when they start to get older and weaker. I want to do something to stay that way myself. I think elders were not eating healthy stuff when they were young too. This is why it is so important to stay healthy when you are young.
- Brock M.over 13 yearsIt is important for kids to stay healthy because your body is healthy and functioning. I’m an old man and I want you to stay healthy so you can have a better life when you’re old. You should eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, protein and drink lots of water. Try to be active everyday and don’t be a couch potato. Trust me if you don’t stay healthy now you will be sorry when you are old, just ask me!
- Lucas L.over 13 yearsI think kids should eat healthy foods like meat, fruit and vegetables. This will help your body to be strong and drink milk to give you strong bones and muscles. Try to exercise at least everyday so you do not have aches and pains like me when you are old. If you do all of these things you will grow and have a nice life.
- Alyssa P.over 13 yearsYou should take care of yourself young because you can be more active when you get old.You might get bad hearing too. Also if you crack your fingers your 50% more likely to get authorize.