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If Jaromir Jagr, at 44 years of age, can play at the highest level of professional hockey in the world, leading his young team in points (and 2nd in goals) last

If Jaromir Jagr, at 44 years of age, can play at the highest level of professional hockey in the world, leading his young team in points (and 2nd in goals) last season [1] just imagine what a programmer can do with the same level of focus and determination at that age and beyond. [1] https://www.nhl.com/panthers/stats/regular-season/skaters/p https://www.nhl.com/panthers/stats/regular-season/skaters/p

arethuza 10y ago
Chris Terril completed Royal Marine Commando training at 55! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Terrill https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Terrill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmlHxIqVoxE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmlHxIqVoxE NB He did this so that he would feel fit enough to accompany them as a reporter to Afghanistan - I think the normal upper age limit is 27.
- whatusername 10y ago
  Cliff Young won an Ultra Marathon at 61! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_Young_(athlete) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_Young_(athlete)
onion2k 10y ago
Isn't the main argument against employing older developers that they won't have that level of focus and determination? Pointing to an statistical anomaly and suggesting that older people can be that focused is easily countered with an argument that, while that's true, it's far more likely that a younger person will have the traits you're looking for, so you should employ them instead. A rare example of a hyper-focused older person[1] isn't a reason to hire older people. Hiring is about filling a position with someone capable of doing what's necessary. It's not about finding someone exceptional. You want to get someone in and get them up to speed as fast as you can in order to move on to doing things that drive your business forwards. To that end, older, experienced people are very often better than younger people because they've already proven they can do the job. [1] 44 isn't old.
- arethuza 10y ago
  "won't have that level of focus and determination" More like they won't have that level of focus and determination for a poorly run project - so it's not that they can't it's more that they won't see the benefits to them of that level of dedication. NB I am 51 and quite happy in a technical role.
- mrschwabe 10y ago
  Well it was not meant to be countered, it is meant to be inspirational. Some say a statistical anomaly, others would say a hero. I do agree with your expanded point, by the way. Would just add that the veterans can bring that and more; the right person can inspire & impact the performance of everybody on the team.
- js8 10y ago
  Perhaps it's anecdotal too but I work in mainframes (myself being 38) with both younger and older colleagues and the ones that are older seem to be far more focused and determined (perhaps "work ethic" is the most apt word for it) than the younger ones. I can even feel it myself looking back.
- emodendroket 10y ago
  On the other hand, however, physical decline is more rapid than mental decline and we're talking about a middle-aged man able to play with the best pro athletes in the world -- seems as clear an example of any of experience trumping raw youthful energy. Peyton Manning's last season or two seems like another good example.
collyw 10y ago
I have noticed a lot of pro downhill mountain bikers are around the same age as me - early 40's.

arethuza 10y ago

Chris Terril completed Royal Marine Commando training at 55! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Terrill https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Terrill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmlHxIqVoxE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmlHxIqVoxE NB He did this so that he would feel fit enough to accompany them as a reporter to Afghanistan - I think the normal upper age limit is 27.

whatusername 10y ago
Cliff Young won an Ultra Marathon at 61! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_Young_(athlete) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_Young_(athlete)

onion2k 10y ago

Isn't the main argument against employing older developers that they won't have that level of focus and determination? Pointing to an statistical anomaly and suggesting that older people can be that focused is easily countered with an argument that, while that's true, it's far more likely that a younger person will have the traits you're looking for, so you should employ them instead. A rare example of a hyper-focused older person[1] isn't a reason to hire older people. Hiring is about filling a position with someone capable of doing what's necessary. It's not about finding someone exceptional. You want to get someone in and get them up to speed as fast as you can in order to move on to doing things that drive your business forwards. To that end, older, experienced people are very often better than younger people because they've already proven they can do the job. [1] 44 isn't old.

arethuza 10y ago
"won't have that level of focus and determination" More like they won't have that level of focus and determination for a poorly run project - so it's not that they can't it's more that they won't see the benefits to them of that level of dedication. NB I am 51 and quite happy in a technical role.
mrschwabe 10y ago
Well it was not meant to be countered, it is meant to be inspirational. Some say a statistical anomaly, others would say a hero. I do agree with your expanded point, by the way. Would just add that the veterans can bring that and more; the right person can inspire & impact the performance of everybody on the team.
js8 10y ago
Perhaps it's anecdotal too but I work in mainframes (myself being 38) with both younger and older colleagues and the ones that are older seem to be far more focused and determined (perhaps "work ethic" is the most apt word for it) than the younger ones. I can even feel it myself looking back.
emodendroket 10y ago
On the other hand, however, physical decline is more rapid than mental decline and we're talking about a middle-aged man able to play with the best pro athletes in the world -- seems as clear an example of any of experience trumping raw youthful energy. Peyton Manning's last season or two seems like another good example.

collyw 10y ago

I have noticed a lot of pro downhill mountain bikers are around the same age as me - early 40's.