Assignment 1: Analysis of Aging Perceptions in Popular Culture

This assignment analyzes the portrayal of aging in popular culture, using Pink Floyd's song "Wots Uh the Deal" as an example. The student identifies the song's themes of loneliness, aging, and missed opportunities, connecting these to experiences like changing bodies and the contemplation of life's journey. The assignment explores stereotypes and myths about aging, highlighting how the song reflects the feeling of old age and the potential for negative perceptions. The student reflects on societal views of aging, emotional reactions to the example, and how the assignment changed their understanding of popular attitudes towards seniors, and their own attitude towards seniors. The assignment also includes a response to another student's presentation, though this part is left blank in the provided solution as it depends on another student's work.

Running head: PERCEPTIONS OF AGING IN POPULAR CULTURE
Perceptions of aging in popular culture
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s Note

1PERCEPTIONS OF AGING IN POPULAR CULTURE
Song – Wots Uh the Deal by Pink Floyd
Heaven sent the promised land
Looks alright from where I stand
'Cause I'm the man on the outside looking in
Waiting on the first step
Show me where the key is kept
Point me down the right line because it's time
To let me in from the cold
Turn my lead into gold
'Cause there's a chill wind blowing in my soul
And I think I'm growing old
Flash the readies
What's, uh the deal?
Got to make it to the next meal
Try to keep up with the turning of the wheel
Mile after mile (mile after mile)
Stone after stone (stone after stone)
You turn to speak but you're alone

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Million miles from home, you're on your own
So let me in from the cold
Turn my lead into gold
'Cause there's a chill wind blowing in my soul
And I think I'm growing old
Fire bright by candlelight
And her by my side
And if she prefers we will never stir again
Someone sent the Promised Land
And I grabbed it with both hands
Now I'm the man on the inside looking out
Hear me shout "Come on in,
What's the news and where you been?"
'Cause there's no wind left in my soul
And I've grown old
Step 1
1. What are the main themes of your example?
The main theme of Wots Uh the Deal by Pink Floyd revolves around loneliness, aging and
contemplation of lost days and missed opportunities. It also portrays the sadness and void one

3PERCEPTIONS OF AGING IN POPULAR CULTURE
feels while going through the past experiences. In popular culture, old age has been seen from
various perspective, and this song too, has touched on the lines of old age along with other
factors emphasizing it like desperation, melancholy, followed by lack of time.
2. What life experiences specifically are the subjects of your example? E.g. retirement, lost
love, changing body,…
The subject of the example is changing body due to old age, and the loneliness it accompanies.
3. What does the example you chose say about aging? Seniors in general?
The song Wots Uh the Deal shows how one craves for achieving a certain objective. Before
attaining the desired thing, the writer felt the void and struggled hard. However, when he
achieved his heart desire, he found himself craving for the lost world. The song basically runs on
the line of the grass is always greener on the other side adage. And finally, when he looked up
from his entire journey of his achievement, he found out that he has turned old. Therefore, the
song has a touch of the old age.
4. In your example identify any stereotypes or common myths about aging. Comment on
why they may be false.
The lyrics of this particular song defines the struggle faced by the writer, and ultimately it turns
out that he was happy before coming to the “Promised Land”. The song has successfully
captured the feeling an old man might feel at his old age, the vagueness of running behind futile
earthly things like riches. In the end, one is bound to realize that in wanting to grab the most
desired thing, one has spent all the years out of one life.

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Old age is depicted by poor condition of health and deteriorating body functions. It is oftentimes
accompanied by sadness along with the realization of little time left. This can also prompt to take
care of the old, which is a popular notion of old age. This stereotypical perception, in turn, might
not represent the entire old generation.
5. Is “ageism” present in your example? Explain
In the pursuit of happiness, the writer is spending his lifetime running behind the goal.
Throughout the song, he has mentioned how he is feeling he is growing old. However, by the
time he really achieved his goal, he has originally grown old.
Step 2
Using specific references reflect on the answers provided in relation to material presented in
class (text, lectures, videos). How do you think society views aging and seniors? Identify your
emotional reactions to the example chosen. Does your example make you feel hopeful, sad,
angry? How did this assignment affect your understanding of popular attitudes towards seniors
and your own attitude towards seniors?
Various society has a negative perception about old health. The negative stereotypes are the most
prevalent which includes ill health, dependency, loneliness and poor mental and physical
functioning. Views of old age by the society and the elderly person themselves is generally
inclined towards the negative.
The example that has been chosen by me, i.e. Wots uh the Deal makes me melancholic. In my
opinion, the lyrics of the song carry relevance to some extent, however, it can also be the
opposite, where the old person is happy, experienced, wise and satisfied after going through the
life experiences.

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This particular assignment has taught me to see the world beyond the popular perception. A
person may not also dissolve in despondency and look towards other people for assistance, ill
health and poor mental functioning. The most popular belief related to old age is often the image
of a sad old woman/ man looking outside the window contemplating about their life. However,
this particular image might not suffice in all context where old people are living their life to the
fullest, travelling around, and being happy. The socially constructed view of old age can pay a
taxation on the mental health of people, and also have a negative effect on the general wellbeing.
According to a study, the old people performed comparatively badly on a memory game where
they grew up under the constant threat of the adversaries of old age. The perception of old age
varies according to culture and geographical boundaries. In the essence of the above analysis, I
can say that my perception of old age was also towards melancholic and gloomy side, however,
it has changed due to the various instances I have come across in my life. Old people do not
always need others support and dependency to live happily. Death is inevitably a sad affair,
however, getting close to it always does not have to be miserable as popularized by
contemporary society. Therefore, the view regarding the dystopia should be lessened which
would also help the old people to live in a positive atmosphere and a reduced amount of mental
taxation.
Step 3
Respond to another student’s presentation. Do you agree with their analysis of theme,
stereotypes etc.? Give your reasons. Then repeat step 2 for this example. Post your response
using the comments tab on the student’s blog.
The answer for this particular assignment is left blank deliberately. Once provided with another
students’ assignment, it will be done.