In 2024, there's no single answer to "what age are we in?" The question is ambiguous and requires clarification. It can refer to several different concepts of "age":
1. Astrological Age: The Age of Aquarius
According to astrological perspectives, we are currently in a transition period, moving from the Age of Pisces to the Age of Aquarius. Sources like the Almanac (https://www.almanac.com/what-age-aquarius) and other articles (https://www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/article/61635/1/2024-horoscope-age-of-aquarius-and-the-overthrowing-unjust-regimes) state that while the Sun's position on the March equinox is still technically in Pisces in 2024, it is near the border of Aquarius, signifying this transition. This transition is a gradual process spanning many years.
- Key takeaway: The astrological age isn't defined by a specific calendar year but rather by a long-term celestial shift.
2. Biological Age: Periods of Rapid Change
A Stanford Medicine study (http://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2024/08/massive-biomolecular-shifts-occur-in-our-40s-and-60s--stanford-m.html) indicates that humans experience significant biological changes around ages 44 and 60. These are periods of rapid shifts in biomolecular processes, not specific ages defining a particular life stage.
- Key takeaway: Biological aging is continuous, but certain ages mark accelerated changes.
3. Chronological Age: Individual Ages
This refers to the number of years a person has lived. The chronological age of individuals in 2024 varies greatly depending on their birthdate. Several sources mention different ages in various contexts: retirement benefits based on age 62 in 2024 (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10035.pdf), discussions on aging and loneliness (https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2024/04/loneliness-grows-as-we-age/), and even perspectives on what constitutes "old age" (https://www.reddit.com/r/AskOldPeopleAdvice/comments/1eko09q/in_2024_how_old_is_old/).
- Key takeaway: Chronological age is personal and varies widely.
