Propositional Consistency Inference

For a 91-year-old, the ability to infer propositional consistency is crucial for navigating daily information, maintaining cognitive sharpness, and engaging meaningfully with the world. At this age, cognitive processes may show some decline in speed and working memory, but crystallized intelligence (knowledge and experience) remains strong. Therefore, tools must be engaging, relevant to lived experience, and accessible.

Our selection principles for this age and topic are:

1. Relevance & Engagement: Tools should connect directly to the individual's interests, current events, or personal narratives, fostering intrinsic motivation rather than feeling like a chore.
2. Scaffolding & Support: Information should be presented clearly, allowing for varied levels of engagement, and providing opportunities for discussion or external verification to support inferential processes.
3. Real-world Application & Social Interaction: Leveraging real-world content and encouraging social dialogue maximizes both cognitive leverage and overall well-being.

The 'The Economist Digital & Print Subscription' is chosen as the primary tool because it perfectly aligns with these principles. It provides a continuous stream of high-quality, in-depth articles on current events, politics, business, and culture. These articles are rich in propositions (factual statements, arguments, reported speech) from various sources, often presenting complex situations that require the reader to actively identify, compare, and infer consistency or inconsistency across the text. The dual print/digital format offers flexibility, with the digital version providing accessibility features crucial for older adults (e.g., adjustable font size, text-to-speech).

Implementation Protocol for a 91-year-old:

1. Selection of Content: Each week, assist the individual in browsing the latest issue (print or digital) to identify 1-2 articles of genuine interest. Personal relevance increases engagement.
2. Active Reading & Annotation: Encourage the individual to read the chosen article with a specific focus: "Are all the facts presented consistent? Do any statements contradict each other or something I know to be true?" Provide highlighters for print or demonstrate digital highlighting features for key propositions.
3. Prompted Reflection: After reading, engage in a guided discussion. Example prompts include: "What were the main points this article made? Did any part of the article make you pause because it seemed to contradict something else said earlier, or something you've heard elsewhere? How do different perspectives presented in the article compare in terms of consistency?" The focus should be on gentle inquiry, not a test.
4. External Verification (Optional & Supportive): If a specific inconsistency is identified or a point of confusion arises, offer to quickly cross-reference with another reputable source (e.g., a quick online search together). This reinforces the concept of external consistency and provides a sense of mastery.
5. Comfort and Accessibility: Ensure the reading environment is comfortable with good lighting (or optimal digital screen settings). Utilize reading stands and magnifiers/screen readers as needed to reduce physical strain and enhance the reading experience. The goal is consistent, enjoyable engagement.