I think this is the most patronizing, biased, and ignorant statement I've ever read on Hacker News.
I think that a chart like this would show a similar trend if it was geared toward exposure to computers and aptitude.
Now this is just a hypothesis based on data that I've seen and I'd be open to a study that shows the opposite.
Also, big buttons are just a logical step, I know that my dad loves anything with big buttons because it doesn't strain his eyes or take as steady a hand. And some day I'm going to want the same thing.
Assuming that age doesn't affect our ability to see and interact with tools it just ridiculous. Hacker News is not a place for people to bury their heads in the sand.
My point is that most people I've come across in my grandparent's generation can barely use a computer without significant coaching/training. Maybe there are troves of people over the age of 70 out there with astounding computer literacy, but I don't think this is that controversial of a statement.
For my parent's generation, it seems that the majority of them have basic fluency (can browse the internet, use office applications, email, etc).
Tablets start looking like a great alternative as people age. They are portable, have simpler/more intuitive UI (both thanks to touch and because the apps are more constrained), easier to maintain (less to screw up), etc.
Which statement do you disagree with so strongly?