Michael McCarthy, Special to Vancouver Courier Published: Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Dr. Barbara Mitchell, a professor of sociology at Simon Fraser University, has a different take than Ogden on the subject of perpetual adolescence.

"I think that it is an overstatement to suggest that young people today are generally refusing to grow up, a topic that I cover in my recent book, The Boomerang Age: Transitions to Adulthood in Families," says Mitchell. "That being stated, there certainly are some young people afflicted with the Peter Pan Syndrome or those who do not want to 'cut the apron strings' by moving out of the parental home and becoming more financially independent in their 20s or 30s. This also appears to be more pronounced in contemporary society because of less pressure to become independent at an early age and the prolongation of adulthood because of longer periods of educational enrollment and so forth."

However, Mitchell agrees that mighty marketing forces are at play in influencing people to stay forever young.

"Market forces certainly play an important role in perpetuating cultural ideals of perpetual youthfulness. This is evidenced by targeted advertising practices to certain age groups. This constant flooding of messages to young people also convinces them that staying young and 'with it' requires the purchase of the latest electronic gadget like an iPod, iPhone or other luxury goods, such as a high-priced designer handbag."

Local independent film producer David Vaisbord is working on a documentary film about Ogden and his amazing career. Vaisbord's portfolio includes such documentaries as Mischa, about the life of his brilliant but reclusive uncle, the violin-prodigy Mischa Weisbord. Vaisbord also directed Drawing Out the Demons, about acclaimed artist Attila Richard Lukacs. Outsiders, and brilliant thinkers who challenge the status quo, interest Vaisbord.

"Frank's a fascinating character and he's been involved in the future all his life. We are now living in a future envisioned by Frank many years ago. Where are we going next?"

While initially the documentary was tightly focused on Ogden's work as a futurist, Vaisbord now views Ogden's latest comments about social change as more provocative and contemporary.

"Frank's career as a futurist didn't start until he was past the so-called retirement age," says Vaisbord, "but he had several successful careers before then. His explorations in voodoo rituals, non-verbal communication and LSD research alone are worth complete documentaries, but if you attempt to sum up his whole life it's his comments about the urgent need for people to adapt to ever-changing circumstances that make the most powerful statement."

Vaisbord believes Ogden's observations about powerful forces like technology and marketing pushing North Americans away from maturity deserves public attention and debate. "Where the hell is our culture headed, if constant change brings insecurity that subsequently manifests itself in a state of permanent adolescence? That's certainly a theory worth exploring in the overall context of any summation of Frank's incredible career."

However, Vaisbord, at age 40, doesn't agree with Ogden's thesis about perpetual adolescence. "I think it's an important topic, but I think there is a difference between being sold the whole 'youth package' and having a youthful disposition."

Back on his houseboat, Ogden quotes philosopher Georges Santayana: "The greatest sins are those that set out to strangle human nature. This is what is being done with certain powerful forces consciously cultivating perpetual adolescence."

Maturity, argues Ogden, is understanding that the clock is ticking, that life is finite, and the greatest mistake in life is to believe otherwise. Maturity doesn't exclude humour but some older folks understand that the bitterest joke of all is that the quickest way to grow old lies in a hopeless attempt to stay forever young.

"I'll tell you what," says Ogden, "if you buy the houseboat, I'll throw in a lifejacket for free. OK, the water in the marina is only a few feet deep, but hey, you can't be too careful these days. It's a dangerous world out there."