this post was submitted on 03 Aug 2026
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My preferred method is to weight votes according to age: voters below, say, 30 would receive a more heavily weighted vote, voters 30 to 60 would get a less weighted vote, and those over 60 would retain their current single vote. For argument’s sake, you could multiply the vote of under-30s by 1.3 and that of 30- to 60-year-olds by 1.1. People’s ballot papers could be distinguished by colour – under-30s get blue, 30s to 60s green and oldies red – to make counting easier on election night.

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[–] eremophila@lemmy.zip -1 points 1 week ago (17 children)

Young people are too busy buying mcdonalds on ubereats while looking for kardashian merch on amazon.

You lot are as bad as the baby boomers, you would use ai to count the votes.

[–] shads@leminal.space 3 points 1 week ago (16 children)

I have a few people round me that are in the 60-83 age range. I gotta tell you aging is a heart breaking bitch.

My Nan can't remember what she ate for breakfast, she keeps breaking her TV and then demanding that we buy her a new one to replace it.

So we set it up for her and within a couple of hours she is confused, scared and upset. Demands we take it away and that we get her old TV fixed.

The local repair guys have said they can no longer buy parts for the 720P No name LCD that she actually knows how to use. So next time it breaks we are in for a world of pain.

She is more irrational, scared and confused than at any point in her life before now. Also more opinionated and convinced that she is right (in between the meltdowns when she realises what she has lost).

Her vote counts for everybit as much as mine does. Until we get her gerontologist to complete an AEC exemption application and send it in at least.

[–] eremophila@lemmy.zip 0 points 1 week ago (15 children)

That sounds like your nan might have dementia, because of that you believe everyone over the age of 60 has dementia.

Based on that 'logic' it is okay for me to believe that everyone under 30 is an undereducated, self-absorbed, ai using crypto bro, with the attention span of a pineapple.

We could apply similar 'logic' to every generation.

[–] shads@leminal.space 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

Oh she has dementia alright, early stages, hence the reference to the Gerontologist. Specifically a doctor who manages conditions with a high association with age. I am not saying that everyone in a certain age bracket has it, just using an example. But let me be clear, someone retaining full capacity of their mental faculties into their twilight years is simply not common enough to be statistically worth talking about. I have worked in industries that intersect with the elderly and know that special provisions have to be made. I also agree that young people are not doing an amazing job of demonstrating competency. But pretending the accumulated wisdom of 70+ years somehow offsets the decline in neuroplasticity is disingenuous at best. I would suggest talking to some people in aged care and asking them how often their clients/patients are the model of rationality and reason.

[–] arbilp3@aussie.zone 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I am really concerned that society being what it is now, with so many life-related systems compromised by inequitable access to wealth, oligarchical and other types of undemocratic rule, unhealthy food, mind-controlling and body-affecting technology, pollution, etc, etc., we may be in for ever-growing levels of cognitive decline at earlier ages accompanied by growing levels of neurodivergent conditions in children as well as mental health problems in general. We really need to concentrate on the causes of growing unhealth and stick together, not let the system make us more defensive and isolated. Know the real enemy.

[–] shads@leminal.space 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

We are also in a period where we can acknowledge that people exist on a spectrum and people change. My youngest son has ADHD, we got him treatment, support and flexible learning arrangements that mean 99.9% of the time he can be a "regular" kid with a "regular" life. When I was his age it was just drug them, pack them into the special class and forget about them. As much as I agree with your sentiment we do live in slightly enlightened times.

We assume elderly people are going to struggle with people taking advantage of them in so many other aspects of life, why do we let the media and politicians get away with it?

To be clear, I am not advocating for stripping anyone's rights, or giving them a lessened voting weight. I don't actually have a solution. I just think it's the sort of thing a mature democracy would be able to discuss in good faith. Instead we get to be told about how much privacy and personal sovereignty we want to sacrifice in the name of "won't somebody think of the children".

[–] arbilp3@aussie.zone 1 points 1 week ago

Yes, you are right. There certainly is a deeper and growing understanding of neurodivergence and I am happy for you that your boy is being treated as he should be. I've often wondered if I have some neurodivergence myself.

And I also agree with your other ppints.

[–] eremophila@lemmy.zip -1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

ironic usage of "ingenious"

"But let me be clear, someone retaining full capacity of their mental faculties into their twilight years is simply not common enough to be statistically worth talking about" arrogance and ignorance go hand in hand.

[–] shads@leminal.space 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Stated by someone who obviously has ample quantities of both. I'm not as sharp as I was a decade ago, or two decades ago for that matter. I can see the decline and I am only in my 40s. If you can't say the same then congratulations.

[–] eremophila@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I can see the decline while reading your comments.

Up until a couple of years ago when she moved, I had a 97 year old neighbour who was sharper than I am, she was a racist though.

We all decline over time, that much is true, but the suggestion that a 20 year old will make a better decision than a 60 year old is still complete bullsh*t

Consumerism spans generations, as does racism, sexism etc etc, the most recent generations have not changed any of that, they just dive right into it all while blaming previous generations... for being like them.

OP is clearly a 16 year old

[–] shads@leminal.space 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Cool, remind me again what the plural of anecdote is... Is it data? It has to be data right?

I gotta say you got my Boomer sense tingling.

You seem angry, and confused. That's a common state of mind as people get on in years. Relax, have a cuppa and if this is the way you feel on a regular basis consider talking to your GP, they can help out with resources and support to help you in this time of transition.

[–] eremophila@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I'm not angry or confused, I'm just taking the piss out of you because you are obnoxious. That seems to have made you "angry, and confused" you were of course already very generic.

You are also daftly ironic re: anecdote

[–] shads@leminal.space 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] eremophila@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] shads@leminal.space 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Well you got me there chuckles, of course I am Gen X not a baby boomer. Which I already alluded to. But I guess the memory ain't what it used to be huh? Anyway I'm done with you now. Bye.

[–] eremophila@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

1980 seems likely for you if so, gen x... but just the crusty bit on the edge.

[–] shads@leminal.space 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Bit hard of hearing old timer? I said I'M DONE WITH YOU, BYE

[–] eremophila@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 week ago

Your struggle is real eh

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