Why is humanity so obsessed with chronology and age? Who’s to say that we suddenly transform from a horrible teenager to a responsible adult on our 18th birthday? In fact, our current time-based system of everything makes absolutely no sense. This system gives irresponsible people too much free will and holds back those who are ready to move on. However, age is the easiest metric to track for people. It’s easy to assure that someone is old enough to drive by simply glancing at their birth date. However, this system is prone to errors. In the future, a new, innovative system of rights and responsibilities must be created.
For the purposes of this discussion, I will call this new metric your Intellectual Age. To determine someone’s intellectual age, we must investigate numerous factors including intellectual ability, knowledge, and maturity.
The establishment of an individual’s intellectual age would be a complex and difficulty undertaking. However, it needs to be open for anyone at any time. At any time, an individual can turn in an application for their next age. Once accepted, they would go through a series of tests and examinations to determine their qualification for the next age. The first and simplest test would be of knowledge. This would take the form of either a written, visual, or kinesthetic test (based upon the person’s learning style). For instance, to receive the intellectual age of 18, you would require a knowledge of how to drive a car (on top of other requirements). You could prove this by taking a written exam. Or, you might be presented with various images and be required to state their name and use. Finally, one might be able to take a simulation of driving. Most likely, a test would combine these three styles based upon an individual’s needs. Of course, this entire part of the test could be completely automated.
The next step would be to analyze someone’s intellectual ability. This would be something like current IQ tests - but personalized for each individual. After this, things get much harder to measure. Maturity could be determined by analysis by a psychologist as well as records of past behaviors. Finally, once all the data is tabulated, a person would either be issued with their updated age or be denied. If denied, they can reapply after a 30 day waiting period. Once issued with an intellectual age, it would replace most chronological age markers. For instance, your grade in school would be determined by your intellectual age. As would your ability to drive, vote or drink. By using this system, rights and responsibilities would be based upon someone’s ability to handle them and not an arbitrary age measurement.
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