Retrospective Aging: Did People Really Look Older in the Past?

The concept of retrospective aging, the idea that people in the past seemed older at a younger age than they do now, is explored in a video by Vsauce. The video discusses whether this perception is real or an illusion fueled by selective examples and nostalgic views of the past.

Research from Yale and USC suggests that humans today are aging more slowly than their historic counterparts. Factors such as lifestyle changes, improved nutrition, reduced smoking habits, advancements in healthcare, early life conditions, and skincare, especially the use of sunscreen, contribute to this phenomenon. Comparing measures of various functions across time, the research indicates that people are staying younger for longer.

The study proposes that between the early '90s and the late 2000s, the perceived age benchmarks shifted. For example, 60 became the new 56, 40 became the new 37.5, and 20 became the new 19. This challenges the notion that people in the past were tougher and aged faster due to harder circumstances.

Retrospective aging is described as both real and illusory. While there are genuine differences in aging rates due to lifestyle changes, much of the perception can be attributed to the way people dress and present themselves. The video suggests that superficial factors like clothing, hairstyles, accessories, makeup, and mannerisms play a significant role in shaping the perception of age.

The narrator shares a personal experience of retrospective aging, reflecting on how seniors in high school seemed much older during freshman year. However, when the narrator became a senior, the perception of age shifted, indicating that retrospective aging is influenced by perspective.

The video delves into the role of modes of self-expression, emphasizing that fashion and styles constantly evolve. While certain elements may come back into fashion, the context is always different. The choices individuals make in appearance are shaped by what is currently popular or acceptable.

Retrospective aging is also linked to the phenomenon of people appearing to dress like older versions of themselves. A humorous example is presented, where a gym teacher unintentionally wore the same outfit for yearbook photos for several years. Over time, what once connoted youth came to be associated with old age.

The video introduces the idea of a "time-traveling hipster" captured in a 1941 photo. While researchers dismissed the idea, it playfully suggests that someone today might unknowingly be dressed like people from the future, leading to humorous speculation about time travel.

The Vsauce video is sponsored by the Curiosity Box, a subscription service providing a curated collection of unique items. The host promotes the box's contents, including a Pythagorean cup, and mentions that a portion of the proceeds goes to Alzheimer's research.

The narrative then shifts to research from Millsaps College and Miami University, exploring the face-name matching effect. The study suggests that people can guess a stranger's name based on their face more accurately than expected by chance. This effect is attributed to the Dorian Gray effect, where a person's appearance may come to reflect the name they were given.

The video touches on societal perceptions of old age, with an average age of 73.7 identified as when people believe old age begins. It explores variations in this perception based on factors such as gender, race, and health. Additionally, it highlights that people generally wish to be younger, with 36 being the preferred age to stay forever.

A fascinating aspect discussed is the idea that old people are more likely to think they dream in black and white. This phenomenon is linked to the prevalence of black and white dreams correlating with exposure to black and white TV. The video suggests that media consumption might influence the way people perceive their dreams, with black and white dreams being more common in individuals exposed to black and white media.

The video concludes with reflections on the nature of dreams, drawing parallels between dreams and motion pictures. Both are described as made of phantoms, with images frozen in time yet seemingly capable of aging. The narrator leaves viewers with philosophical questions about whether we get the picture or the picture gets us.

In summary, the Vsauce video explores the complex interplay of factors contributing to retrospective aging, combining scientific research, personal anecdotes, and humorous insights. It challenges perceptions of age, emphasizing the role of lifestyle changes, societal influences, and individual perspectives in shaping how we perceive ourselves and others across time.