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Guardians of the Unwritten: Preserving Tacit Knowledge in an Aging World

Mariza Lendez

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Aging populations hold vast, irreplaceable tacit knowledge. This article explores how intergenerational programs and structured mentorship can preserve wisdom, reduce isolation, and transform seniors into national assets.

In an era obsessed with digital speed, cloud storage, and artificial intelligence, we risk overlooking one of humanity’s most irreplaceable archives—our elders.

This living library, built over decades of lived experience, cultural nuance, and problem-solving intuition, holds something technology still cannot replicate: tacit knowledge.

Tacit knowledge is not written in manuals or stored in databases. It is the accumulated wisdom, subtle judgment, and deeply rooted understanding that comes from years of doing, failing, adapting, and succeeding. It is the way a master craftsperson feels the wood grain before cutting, the way a midwife senses a complication before the instruments do, or the way a community elder navigates conflicts with diplomacy honed through decades of human interaction.

Yet, as modern societies rush toward automation and youth-driven innovation, we are quietly facing what David DeLong (2004) calls the "silent crisis of lost knowledge." When older adults retire—especially without structured opportunities to share their expertise—this wealth evaporates. What disappears is more than skill; it is identity, community connection, and intergenerational continuity.

The Cost of Silence: Isolation and Unused Wisdom

For many seniors, retirement is not a celebration of freedom but the beginning of social and professional invisibility. The social networks built over a lifetime often contract overnight. According to Positive Maturity (2020), isolation accelerates both cognitive and physical decline, increasing risks for depression, anxiety, and even mortality.

When these individuals are no longer called upon for their knowledge, the message is clear: their contributions are no longer needed. This emotional sidelining leads to a double loss—society loses valuable expertise, and older adults lose purpose.

Intergenerational Bridges: Purpose Meets Practice

Studies from Aria Care (2025) and Positive Maturity (2020) confirm what cultures with deep respect for elders have known for centuries: bringing generations together benefits everyone.

For youth, these programs provide role models, mentors, and real-world insights that formal education often misses. For seniors, they rekindle a sense of belonging, increase motivation, and reduce loneliness. When older adults share their experience in structured settings, they feel seen—not as outdated workers but as custodians of wisdom.

The benefits extend beyond the personal. In a 2021 meta-analysis, Burmeister et al. found that intergenerational knowledge transfer boosts organizational resilience and productivity. Yet, as Pfrombeck et al. (2024) note, older workers may feel hesitant or embarrassed about learning from younger colleagues unless the environment fosters respect and collaboration.

IKIGAI addresses this barrier by creating cooperative roles where both parties teach and learn, breaking down age-based hierarchies and reframing learning as a shared journey.

Why Tacit Knowledge Matters Now More Than Ever

In a world where information is searchable in seconds, some may question why tacit knowledge still matters. The answer lies in the difference between information and wisdom.

Information is data. Wisdom is knowing what to do with it, when to act, and why it matters. Artificial intelligence can process millions of entries, but it cannot replicate the gut instinct of a surgeon who has seen hundreds of unique cases, or the nuanced negotiation skills of a diplomat who has lived through decades of shifting geopolitical tides.

Tacit knowledge is slow to gain and easy to lose. Without intentional structures for transfer—mentoring, storytelling, and communities of practice—it fades with each generation.

A National Imperative

The loss of tacit knowledge is not simply an HR issue—it is a societal risk. In industries like healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and diplomacy, losing seasoned professionals without transfer mechanisms can lead to costly mistakes, slower problem-solving, and cultural amnesia.

As nations grapple with aging populations, the choice is stark: either allow these skills to vanish quietly or create intentional systems to retain and repurpose them.

Recommendation

Policymakers, community leaders, and private organizations should invest in intergenerational programs as part of their national aging strategies. Governments can incentivize businesses to implement cooperative mentorship schemes, schools can integrate elder mentorship into curricula, and retirement communities can prioritize spaces for skill-sharing.

Aging with dignity is not only about healthcare and financial security—it is about being seen, valued, and heard. If we design societies that respect and harness tacit knowledge, we can ensure that the wisdom of one generation becomes the foundation for the next.

This article "Guardians of the Unwritten: Preserving Tacit Knowledge in an Aging World" is forms part of my dissertation. All materials herein are protected by copyright and academic intellectual property laws. No part of this work may be reproduced, published, or distributed in whole or in part without express written permission from the author, except for academic citation or fair use with proper attribution. Based on verified data, peer-reviewed literature, and insights from national and global agencies and with the help of AI for deep research.

Citation Format

Lendez, Mariza (2025). [Guardians of the Unwritten: Preserving Tacit Knowledge in an Aging World] In "Designing a Purpose-Driven Retirement Model Based on the IKIGAI Philosophy" (unpublished dissertation). Philippine Women's University. [URL] https://chikicha.com/trending-stories/guardians-of-the-unwritten--preserving-tacit-knowledge-in-an-aging-world

APA References

Aria Care. (2025). Intergenerational connections: The impact on seniors and youth.
Burmeister, A., et al. (2021). The role of intergenerational knowledge transfer in organizational resilience.
DeLong, D. W. (2004). Lost knowledge: Confronting the threat of an aging workforce. Oxford University Press.
Positive Maturity. (2020). The benefits of senior engagement programs.
Pfrombeck, J., et al. (2024). Overcoming barriers to intergenerational learning.

Thanks for your photos #Sasint, #Simon, #Enricsagarra, & #TungArt7 @Pixabay

Mariza Lendez

The author is a purpose-driven researcher and advocate for dignified aging. Drawing from peer-reviewed studies, national data, and lived experiences, she offers an unfiltered lens into the realities of retiring in developing countries. Her dissertation, “Designing a Purpose-Driven Retirement Model Based on the IKIGAI Philosophy,” informs her mission: to serve as the eyes and ears of anxious retirees seeking not just a place—but a meaningful way—to live the last phase of life.