New Book Says Aging Isn’t One-Way — Authors Describe a “Flicker Stage” Where People Can Briefly Reverse Feelings of Age
In Your Aging Advantage, Stuart Kaplan and Marcus Riley introduce a “flicker stage” of aging — a brief, reversible improvement in how old people feel, driven by lifestyle, mindset, social ties and targeted interventions and choices.
- Flicker stage: Authors describe short-lived shifts in “feels-like” age that can reverse perceived aging.
- Feeding evidence: Mindset and social signals have some research support, though the seven-stage model lacks full peer-reviewed validation.
- Aging on pace: The book urges choosing work, projects and social roles rather than treating 65 as a biological cliff.
- Local relevance: For communities like Paso Robles, the idea could affect workforce participation, policy and civic programs.
What Kaplan and Riley propose
Kaplan and Riley argue that aging is not a steady downhill march but a sequence of stages people move through over time. One highlighted stage is the flicker stage — a period when aspects of function (strength, mood, mobility, motivation) may briefly improve so a person feels younger. The authors compare feels-like age to a weather report: chronological years do not always match daily experience. Read their account in the Fox News interview.
Flicker triggers and practical steps
Riley and Kaplan say stress, illness or setbacks can make people feel older, while positive actions can let them “flicker back.” They urge readers to identify personal flicker triggers — physical, psychological, social, or environmental changes that reset one’s pace. Examples include:
- Physical activity: starting or changing an exercise routine
- Social reconnection: renewing friendships or joining clubs
- Work and hobbies: shifting to part-time, seasonal, or new projects
- Mindset shifts: reframing goals and expectations to support renewed engagement
“Identify personal flicker triggers and choose actions that move you toward the stage you prefer.”
Aging on pace, not in place
Kaplan and Riley reject the idea of age 65 as a biological cliff. They frame that threshold as a social retirement benchmark and encourage people to decide whether to keep working, move to part-time work, start new projects, or slow down intentionally. This approach emphasizes personal responsibility and choice: actions and planning can influence how long someone stays active and engaged. (See the Fox News interview.)
The flicker method for healthier aging
The authors describe a flicker method — a menu of interventions intended to prompt short-term reversals in feels-like age. Key components they highlight include social connection, physical activity, mindset changes, and environmental shifts. They emphasize that many people already live with a feels-like age different from their chronological age and that deliberate choices can help steer toward a preferred functional stage. (Promotional details and quotes are in the Fox News interview.)
Scientific context and limits
The idea that attitudes and social signals can change physical function has some independent research support, though not in the specific seven-stage structure used in the book. For example:
- The subliminal stereotype study found repeated exposure to positive age stereotypes improved older adults’ physical function and self-perceptions over several weeks.
- Neuroscience work on changes in brain activity with age — such as the brain oscillation paper — shows subtle, non-linear shifts in brain rhythms that lend plausibility to non-linear aging models.
At the same time, there is a gap between the book’s public-facing seven-stage claims and peer-reviewed evidence validating that specific framework. Most detailed research studies do not yet describe a formal “flicker stage” as Kaplan and Riley present it. Readers should treat the model as an emerging framework aligned with some scientific work on mindset and social effects, not as an established medical model.
Implications for Paso Robles, California
Economic and workforce impact
Paso Robles’ mix of agriculture, wineries, small businesses and contractors could see more residents opting to stay in the workforce longer if they adopt an “aging on pace” mindset. Experienced workers remaining engaged may benefit employers, local entrepreneurs and second-career startups. Opportunities could arise in seasonal, part-time and mentorship roles tailored to older workers’ strengths.
Political consequences and public policy
Locally, the idea may influence retirement planning conversations and city services. Conservative readers might welcome messaging about personal responsibility and choice over mandated retirement norms. Policymakers could consider flexible job training, part-time work support or incentives to keep older residents economically active — with attention to worker safety in physically demanding roles like farm labor.
Social effects and community life
Social connection is a key flicker trigger and is highly relevant to Paso Robles’ clubs, veterans groups, churches and wine-country networks. Programs pairing older adults with volunteer roles, mentorship, or seasonal work can help residents “flicker back” to younger-feeling states and boost community engagement.
Cultural relevance
Paso Robles values independence and hard work. The notion that individuals can influence their lived age aligns with local values about self-reliance. Framing aging as flexible and goal-driven may resonate with voters and consumers who prize productivity and choice.
Practical applications for residents
- Identify personal flicker triggers: step up exercise, find seasonal work, volunteer, or join social clubs (see the Fox News interview).
- Consider workplace flexibility: part-time or seasonal roles in wine and tourism can extend income and social ties.
- Use local resources: health and recreation programs help create conditions that support flickers to younger-feeling states (subliminal stereotype study).
Recommendations for policy and civic leaders
Leaders in Paso Robles may support small investments in training, flexible job placement programs, or partnerships with wineries, farms and service businesses to create roles suited to older workers’ strengths and schedules. Such initiatives can promote continued productivity, social connection and public health.
Sources and further reading
- Fox News interview with Stuart Kaplan and Marcus Riley discussing Your Aging Advantage and the flicker stage.
- Subliminal stereotype study on positive age stereotypes and function (Levy et al.).
- Brain oscillation paper on blink-related oscillations and aging (Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience).
Reporting note: This article draws on Kaplan and Riley’s public statements and promotional material (see the Fox News interview) and on peer-reviewed papers that provide context but do not validate the book’s complete seven-stage framework.
