Cellphone manufacturers have begun selling phones specially equipped for making free calls using a wireless Internet network, including any unprotected networks owned by your unknowing neighbors. While critics say the practice of tapping into someone’s unprotected network is unethical, supporters say that because the calls are free, no harm, no foul.

How would you feel about someone using the Internet service you pay for to make free calls?

Responses to October’s question,
“Questioning the Retirement Age”

Helmut Panke, former chief executive at BMW, turned 60 in August and was forced to retire soon after, in accordance with BMW’s retirement rule. Some analysts say that for BMW to anticipate tomorrow’s technology trends, the carmaker needs to have all key executives younger than 60.

Do you think that executives over 60 are out of the technology loop, or should BMW and other technology companies with similar rules raise the mandatory retirement age?

Never Too Old

I got my doctorate at age 50 and submitted my first patent at age 55. I'm now 57 and designing a new class of instruments for my company. Am I suddenly going to get dumber in three more years? Would we want to tell presidents and members of Congress that they have to retire at 60?

Gary Bohannan
Bozeman, Mont.

Going Full Blast

I see no reason for a retirement age of 60 for executives—or anyone else. I "retired" from teaching at age 70, largely for tax reasons, while still going full blast on my research. At 83 I still conduct research and supervise students. It seems to me that chronological age is no indicator of capability.

Richard K. Moore
Lawrence, Kan.

A Depletion of Skilled Talent

I am 58 years old and cannot fathom how I could maintain my current modest financial obligations if I had to retire at 60 or even 65. My father is 82 and continues to work as a consultant. Retirement should depend on individual motivation and ability. While it’s true that cultivating a young workforce is critical to a company's long-term health, there is also the issue of depleting a company’s skilled talent. In my industry (power engineering), it might make sense to extend or drop any mandatory retirement age.

Paul E. Dorvel
Seattle

Wrong Answer, Wrong Question

It is an idiotic rule.

The problem is not age, but executives who stay around after losing touch. Companies might take a cue from the U.S. Constitution: the president serves a four-year term and can be reelected once. An executive appointment for a fixed-period that can be extended once or twice would solve the problem of executives who overstay their welcome. Mandatory retirement age is the wrong answer to the wrong question.

Felipe Pait
São Paulo, Brazil

60 and Still in Touch

Anyone who believes that a person's ability to stay in touch with technology or reality disappears at age 60 should undertake some self-examination. Is there any evidence that Mr. Panke has any less vision now than he had last year? How about five years ago? What is the significance of his age beyond the implementation of an outdated policy?

The retirement age was intended as a reward for years of faithful service and should be at the discretion of the individual. BMW's policy should be to evaluate the performance of its executives without prejudice and respond to specific shortcomings.

Vincent Tume
Mississauga, Canada