Kamal Ghorui
Do older people always give good advice? Sometimes they do. But young people also need to think for themselves.
When Sam Altman told a hall full of IIT students that “listening to old people is the biggest mistake young people make,” many students clapped. He was mostly talking about career advice. And he had a point.
The world is changing very fast, especially because of AI and new technology. Jobs that were safe before may not even exist in the same way in a few years. Think about how much India changed after 1991, when the economy opened up. Many young people wanted to try new careers, but their families were scared. Parents who grew up believing, “Get one steady job and you’re set for life,” often found it hard to understand risky or unusual career choices. But the economy had changed, and young people had to change with it.
Sometimes, though, this “we know better” attitude goes beyond careers. Some elders say things like:
- “You’re too old to play like that.”
- “You must get married by this age.”
- “You can’t choose who you love.”
- “You don’t have anxiety. You’re just overthinking.”
When someone is forced to live only by other people’s rules, they don’t get to discover who they really are. That means they live only part of their life, not the whole of it.
Interestingly, even though Indian culture talks a lot about respecting elders, only about 7% of India’s population is over 65. In the US it’s about 17%, and in Europe about 21%. So India is actually a very young country.
Older people’s experience, strength, and practical wisdom can be very helpful. Mentors can change your life in a good way. The problem is not listening to elders. The real problem is listening without thinking.
It’s okay to hear advice. Just remember: you also have a brain. Use it.
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