Join the Chicago Area Villages Collaborative for a moderated discussion with John Palfrey, co-author of Wired Wisdom: How to Age Better Online.

Wired Wisdom is an eye-opening book on the internet’s fastest-growing demographic, researchers Eszter Hargittai and John Palfrey offer a more nuanced picture—debunking common myths about older adults’ internet use to offer hope and a necessary call to action. Incorporating original interviews and survey results from thousands of people sixty and over, Wired Wisdom shows that many, in fact, use technology in ways that put younger peers to shame. Over-sixties are often nimble online and quicker to abandon social media platforms that don’t meet their needs. Despite being targeted more often, they also may be less likely to fall for scams than younger peers. And fake news actually fools fewer people over sixty, who have far more experience evaluating sources and detecting propaganda. Still, there are unseen risks and missed opportunities for this group. Hargittai and Palfrey offer practical advice and show that our stereotypes can be hurdles that keep us from building intergenerational support communities, helping loved ones adopt new technology that may improve their lives, and thriving together online.

Receive 30% off your book purchase from University of Chicago Press with code: UCPNEW

John Palfrey is president of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. He is the author or coauthor of several books, including Born Digital: How Children Grow Up in a Digital Age and The Connected Parent: An Expert Guide to Parenting in a Digital World. He is based in Chicago.

What is the Chicago Area Villages Collaborative?

There are eight “Villages” in the Chicago area, all part of the International Village Movement—grassroots organizations of older adults designed to help people age and thrive in their communities. Each Village reflects its community and leadership.

We invite you to contact a Village in your area to learn more about what we do and how you can join.

South Loop, Bronzeville: South Loop Village, https://www.southloopvillage.org/

Oak Park/ River Forest: Arbor West Neighbors, https://www.arborwestneighbors.org/join

South Side/Hyde Park: Hyde Park Village, https://www.chpv.org/

Far North Side: Edgewater Village Chicago https://www.evchicago.org/

North Shore suburbs: North Shore Village Network https://www.nsvnetwork.org/

Edgewater Beach Apartments: LiveAgeWell, https://www.liveagewell.com/

Streeterville, River North, Gold Coast, Loop: Skyline Village Chicago https://www.skylinevillagechicago.org/

Lincoln Park, Near North side: The Village Chicago https://www.thevillagechicago.org/