Even a Bean can inspire all of us

By Julie Cooper (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Tuesday, September 8, 2009

It was weird when my college professors started appearing on Facebook.

It was weirder when my mom sent me a friend request.

But — now years into the social networking age — it’s not really all that surprising that 104-year-old Ivy Bean is on Facebook and Twitter.

The British grandmother, tagged by CNN as “possibly the oldest person” on Twitter, is simply hip.

Just do a Facebook search for Ivy Bean and you’ll see just how cool she is.

The Ivy Bean Fan club page has 1,458 fans. “Ivy Bean — the Legend” has 411 members. “Ivy Bean – you’re an inspiration” has 1,866 members.

The group “Oldest person on Facebook – Ivy Bean” has 6,634 members. And the Ivy Bean appreciation group has 2,933 members.

In total, 18 groups are named in honor of Bean.

In fact, Bean has 5,000 friends of her own on Facebook. She’d have more if the Web site would allow it, but unfortunately the maximum is 5,000.

With her Facebook black book filled, Bean moved on to Twitter, which she told CNN she prefers.

What does a 104-year-old have to Twitter about? Getting her hair done and watching game shows, of course.

CNN’s article, posted online Tuesday, is only one in a stream of many focused on Bean’s Web habits.

But the 37,000 people worldwide following Bean’s Twitter feed already knew that.

The moral of Bean mania? Everyone can do it.

And everyone is.

Facebook, Twitter and lesser-known online sites are not just for college students anymore.

Third-graders talk about Facebook. Thirty-somethings post their children’s photos online. And now grandma is updating us on her hair appointment via Twitter.

And if grandma can learn about the newfangled World Wide Web, well then maybe the rest of us can expand our horizons a bit too.

Ivy Bean is closing the gap.

She didn’t move to a retirement home and isolate herself from the ever-changing world. She joined it.

Whether it’s trying social networking sites, meeting new friends or simply exploring new cultures and races, the world is full of horizons to explore.

Exploration is usually most fun when done alongside a friend, so why not begin a new journey soon?

Could our teenagers partner with nursing homes and the Natchez Senior Center to explain the benefits of Facebook and Twitter?

Could our moms and dads step in line to explain the dangers as well?

CNN reported that Ivy Bean’s retirement center recently invited students from the local college to the center for a history quiz bowl of sorts.

Living history meant the retirement center residents won, not surprisingly.

Could local seniors pass on a first-hand knowledge of history to the young folks setting up their Facebook accounts?

The possibilities are endless, and the new friendships are sure to be rewarding.

Obviously the 1,866 (and counting) members of the “Ivy Bean – you’re an inspiration” group had it right.

Julie Cooper is the managing editor of The Natchez Democrat. She can be reached at 601-445-3551 or julie.cooper@natchezdemocrat.com.