Understanding the second curve

Ageing isn't all bad news. In some specific ways, you'll get smarter and more skilful. The trick to improve is understanding, developing, and practising your new strength.

• As people age, their vocabulary and grammar increase. They are better Scrabble players and can do well in foreign languages.
• With age, people become better at combining and using complex ideas. They may not be that good at coming up with new inventions, but they get much better at expressing and interpreting existing ideas to others.