Many people make statements to the effect that President Trump and Russian President Putin are "mentally ill due to their age."
However, those in their 70s today may still have a lot to offer. Nutrition, energy expenditure, and health awareness are different from the past, so today's 70-year-olds often appear younger.
Regarding "the intellectual abilities of the elderly," two concepts often cited are "Crystallized Intelligence" and "Fluid Intelligence," proposed by Raymond Cattell in 1963.
While these are merely hypothetical theories by a single psychologist, they are consistent with other studies and data, and I believe they are not inconsistent with our everyday experience.
According to statistical data I saw in a book or something some time ago, Fluid Intelligence peaks in the late 20s, remains relatively stable until around age 70, and then gradually declines until around age 80. From around age 80 to the mid-80s, cognitive abilities begin to decline rapidly. In the 60s and 70s, even with some decline in quick thinking and memory, brain plasticity is still fully active, making it an age where one can take on new challenges.
On the other hand, what is called Crystallized Intelligence rapidly improves from the 40s to the 50s and continues to grow until around age 80. Judgment, insight, specialized skills, and communication abilities (dialogue skills, negotiation skills, persuasive skills) based on years of accumulated experience and knowledge can be considered abilities that mature and develop from middle age to old age.
Crystallized Intelligence is an intelligence that can be demonstrated at a high level even after the age of 60 or 70 in fields such as politics, military affairs, business management, medicine, and education.
Deng Xiaoping's China had an astonishingly large number of elderly "politicians" (party officials), with those in their 80s and 90s being commonplace. Those in their 50s were treated like children, and even in their 60s, they were still considered "youngsters" or "greenhorns." It wasn't until they reached 70 that they were finally treated as full-fledged "adults."
Similar situations existed in Japan during the same period, though not to the same extent as China.
Takeshita Noboru (64 years old; Minister of Finance under the Nakasone administration; became Prime Minister after Nakasone through the Nakasone Saitei), Abe Shintaro (64 years old; Minister of Foreign Affairs under the same administration; Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party under the Takeshita administration; the person closest to becoming the next Prime Minister, but died of illness around that time; father of Abe Shinzo), and Miyazawa Kiichi (68 years old; Chairman of the General Council of the Liberal Democratic Party under the same administration; later Prime Minister) were called "New Leaders." Watanabe Michio, who was called a "Neo-New Leader," was 59 years old.
The trends described above may be influenced by East Asian cultural factors such as increased longevity, overpopulation, and seniority-based systems, but the idea that Crystallized Intelligence can be maintained and improved even in old age may be true for humans in general.
Considering this, it could be argued that President Trump and President Putin are currently in their prime as politicians. Treating them as "old fogeys" or "useless" could lead to underestimation.
Conversely, former Presidents Kennedy and Clinton, former Prime Minister Blair (UK), and current President Macron (France) might have achieved even greater success if they had become leaders about 20 years later.
Of course, there are individual differences in the rise and fall of brain function. Some people show noticeable decline in their 60s, while others remain remarkably healthy and free from dementia even nearing 100.
To prevent brain decline, brain training activities such as reading, calculation, conversation, and hobbies are said to be effective.
In Japan, the following are recommended as points to be mindful of in daily life:
"One No, Two Less, Three More" ("no smoking," "eating less, drinking less," "being more active, resting more, having more contact", JPALD).
In Japan, the existence of middle-aged people who have become "SNS cripple" (＝SNS addicts), like social garbage, is a cause for concern.
However, becoming engrossed in SNS in old age might not be so bad as brain training.
In the case of President Trump, who is famous for being a short sleeper, it's puzzling that he often posts in the middle of the night...
Furthermore, the phrase "the Exam three times during my ("THREE!") Terms as President" is not a typo or a memory lapse, but rather his signature joke (intentionally making a mistake (like a Boke in Manzai) to elicit laughter (a Tukkomi in Manzai)).
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Truth Details
6565 replies
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
Anybody running for President or Vice President should be forced to take a Cognitive Examination prior to entering the Race! By doing so, we wouldn’t be surprised at people like Barack “Hussein” Obama, or Sleepy Joe Biden, getting “ELECTED.” Our Country would be a much better place!
I took the Exam three times during my (“THREE!”) Terms as President, and ACED IT ALL THREE TIMES — An Achievement that, even on a single Exam, according to the Doctors, has rarely been done before! President DONALD J. TRUMP
May 01, 2026, 2:50 AM
Proudly made in the United States of America. 🇺🇸
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116494922708605309
cf.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluid_and_crystallized_intelligence
https://seikatsusyukanbyo.com/main/yobou/02.php
https://seikatsusyukanbyo.com/main/yobou/ichi-mu,ni-syou,san-ta_english%20version_JPALD040623.pdf
