Digital Dementia

You're only as old as you feel, someone said. Actually, you're only as old as your ability to feel - or, given that emotion rests in the brain, your ability to think.

For a long time, dementia was thought to become a real problem only for people over the age of sixty-five. However, the results of a ten-year research project released recently suggest that people as young as 45 are beginning to experience the onset of dementia.

I wonder, though, whether another ten year study launched today would eventually find that what we called 'dementia' in 2012 became something like the normal state of mind by 2022? And would it conclude that the decline in important areas of mental function was in large part due to our reliance on digital gadgets?

Indeed, isn’t it feasible that removing access to digital gadgets would leave some of us feeling as confused, troubled by language and withdrawn from other people as dementia sufferers often feel today?

My mother lives with a mild form of Alzheimer’s. Of all the modern forms of dementia, this one has become a particular by-word for all that we fear about growing old. As one commentator put it, Alzheimer’s now has the stigma... click here to read the full editorial

Social Comment - Media, New Media

2020Plus is involved in ongoing research into many of the major social issues of our time and their likely impact on individuals, families and communities over the next decade.

We provide expert comment for all branches of the media and new media. Our goal is to help individuals and communities to better engage future change.

Mal Fletcher is a respected social futurist and commentator who is often called upon for expert views on social issues for TV, radio, the press and the 'new media' in various parts of the world.

As a social futurist, he tracks major social shifts and writes, lectures and broadcasts about their likely future impact on business, organisations and the wider society.

His work has featured on BBC World News, BBC Breakfast TV, Sky News, BBC Radio (e.g. Radio 5Live & regional stations), ABC Australia and many other media outlets, as well as in the press.

"Mal Fletcher is an astute observer of the changes in western culture milieu. He seems to be able to intertwine the meaning behind sociological changes together with the values of the time and interpret what this means to a broad audience."

- Stephen Austin, Presenter, ABC Radio Australia

"Mal Fletcher combines a serious intellect and a passionate approach to his craft of social analysis with an engaging communication style that makes him a superb media guest. Highly recommended."

- Sheridan Voysey, Presenter, OpenHouse radio programme, Australia

• Do The Private Values Of Public Leaders Affect Their Performance?
  BBC World News (Video)
• Do Young People Appreciate Their Parents?
  BBC TV Breakfast (Video)
• Teens & Celebrity Culture
  BBC Radio 5 Live (Audio)
• The Human Face of HIV/AIDS
  EDGES w/ Mal Fletcher (Video)
• The Surveillance Society
  UCB Radio (Audio)
• For more, see quick links on right

• family issues: the place of family in society, strengthening the family
• youth issues: including: violence & gangs, alcoholism
• consumer trends: changes in consumer habits & values post-recession; the 'new frugalism' & the social impact of hyper-consumerism
• futurism, emerging trends: in tech & society
• privacy issues: e.g. freedom of speech vs. community cohesion, the security challenges of digital technologies
• celebrity culture: its social impact 
• generational issues: including the links & tensions between the major generations of our time
• 'life-and-death' issues (e.g. euthanasia, assisted dying): esp. their social impact
• changes in media & new media: esp. their social impact
• likely future trends in cultural values: in the global environment
• religion/faith/spirituality: the changing role of religion in the cultural conversation