New book argues aging can “flicker” backward — and what that idea could mean for Fresno
Stuart Kaplan and Marcus Riley argue in Your Aging Advantage that a “flicker stage” lets lived age — functional vitality — temporarily shift younger through choices and mindset, challenging the idea that aging is an inevitable, linear decline.
- The “flicker stage” reframes aging as fluctuating lived age rather than only chronological decline.
- Lived age vs chronological age: the book emphasizes functional vitality and day-to-day feeling over the birth-certificate number.
- Practical, not biological: the model is presented as a psychosocial framework and lacks peer-reviewed evidence for a biological “flicker stage.”
- Local implications: Fresno could see effects on employment, social programs and health services if the idea gains traction.
Key information
Authors and concept: Stuart Kaplan and Marcus Riley describe a new idea they call the flicker stage in Your Aging Advantage. They say aging is not a one-way, steady decline but a set of stages people may move through — sometimes feeling younger, sometimes older. See the Fox News video for the authors’ interview and summary.
Lived age versus chronological age
The authors make a clear distinction: chronological age is the number on a birth certificate, while lived age is how people feel and function day to day. Kaplan uses a weather analogy — a “feels‑like” temperature — to describe lived age, arguing that day-to-day experience is what matters for well-being. (See the Fox News video.)
What the “flicker stage” means
The flicker stage describes short periods when people may feel significantly younger, followed by returns to their typical age. Kaplan and Riley say these shifts can be prompted by “flicker triggers” such as exercise, social reconnection or mindset changes. The model is presented primarily as a practical, psychosocial framework rather than a documented biological stage.
What the authors say
Seven-stage model: Kaplan and Riley present the flicker stage as one of seven stages in a broader model in Your Aging Advantage. They argue people do not simply march forward along a single aging curve; life events and choices can move people up or down the ladder of vitality.
On lived age: “Most people already live with a feels‑like age that doesn’t match their chronological age,” Kaplan told interviewers, using a weather analogy: it may be 85 degrees outside but feel like 95 with humidity. He frames lived age as the day-to-day experience that matters for well‑being. (Fox News video.)
On reversibility: Riley emphasizes that setbacks and stress can push someone into an older-feeling stage, but he calls those shifts reversible. “We have this ability to flip it back through positive intervention,” Riley said. He urges people to identify personal flicker triggers — physical, psychological, social or environmental cues that help reset their pace, such as starting a new exercise routine or reconnecting with friends. (Fox News video.)
Practical advice from the book
The authors urge a mindset shift toward “aging on pace” — focusing on what people want to do with their time, not only where they live. That could mean working longer, switching to part‑time work, taking on new hobbies, or deepening social ties. They question age 65 as a hard biological cutoff, framing such milestones as social conventions rather than fixed medical laws. (Fox News video.)
Practical steps recommended:
- Identify personal flicker triggers and build routines around them.
- Use exercise and social connection to regain a younger‑feeling state.
- Reassess goals for work, play and community engagement.
- Reject a fixed view of aging and treat vitality as partly within one’s control.
What the science says — and what it does not
The flicker stage is framed by the authors as a psychosocial idea. Public material about the book consists mainly of media interviews and summaries; there are no widely available, peer‑reviewed studies that directly test a named neurophysiological “flicker stage” as described in the book.
Related but distinct research: Some scientific papers use the word “flicker” in different contexts. For example, research on blink‑related oscillations documents how spontaneous blinking affects neural responses and sensory awareness in older adults, but it does not describe temporary reversals of biological aging. See the research on blink-related oscillations.
Other experimental work examines rhythmic light stimulation, such as 40 Hz flicker, and its effects on brain activity under specific conditions. Those studies are early, technical, and not tied to the psychosocial shifts Kaplan and Riley describe. See the study on 40 Hz light flicker.
Taken together, existing scientific literature does not validate a named, biological “flicker stage.” The book offers a behavioral framework that aligns with broader evidence that activity, social connection, mental health and purpose can change how people function and feel as they age.
Limitations in available reporting
Coverage of the book so far is limited. Public summaries are primarily interviews and media clips; the full text or academic reviews of the seven‑stage model were not widely available to this reporter. That makes it difficult to fully assess the claims or evaluate the evidence base. The most detailed public summary used for this article is a video interview and report. (Fox News video.)
Implications for Fresno, California
Economic impact
Fresno’s economy, built on agriculture, small businesses and public services, could see employers and workforce planners reexamining assumptions about older workers. Encouraging “aging on pace” may prompt more flexible schedules, part‑time roles, or retraining programs that retain experienced employees and reduce turnover costs.
Political consequences
The book challenges social concepts tied to retirement age. Local policymakers in Fresno might face debates over retirement benefits, job‑training funds and age‑friendly workplace policies if the framing gains local traction.
Social effects
Fresno’s diverse and aging population could see programs redesigned to emphasize lived age. Families, churches, senior centers and nonprofits may develop initiatives that boost social connection — volunteer networks, community classes and intergenerational projects — which the book suggests could prompt younger-feeling “flickers.”
Cultural relevance
The idea of a flexible, partly controllable aging process may resonate with Fresno’s values of hard work and community ties. The book’s encouragement to pursue personal goals later in life could align with local expectations of staying productive and contributing to family and community.
Practical applications for Fresno residents and providers
- Health providers and clinics: Include screening questions about lived age and function, not just chronological age; expand programs tied to movement, balance and mental wellness.
- Senior centers and nonprofits: Offer classes and social programs focused on building flicker triggers — group exercise, hobby clubs, mentoring and volunteer opportunities.
- Employers: Encourage flexible job designs and phased retirement to keep older employees engaged.
- Individuals: Identify activities that make you feel younger and build them into routines: regular walks, social meetups, or learning projects.
Sources and further reading
- Fox News video summary of the book and interviews
- Research on blink-related oscillations and aging
- Experimental study on 40 Hz light flicker and brain effects
Reporting note: Coverage for this article drew from the media interview and summary available online. Full text of Your Aging Advantage was not publicly available to this reporter at the time of writing, and the flicker stage concept has not been established in peer‑reviewed biological research.
