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Here in Berlin I've met programmers who were hired BECAUSE they were over 40 (or 50 in one case). I think this is a very American problem. And that's why I HOPE

Here in Berlin I've met programmers who were hired BECAUSE they were over 40 (or 50 in one case). I think this is a very American problem. And that's why I HOPE that we stop revering the U.S. myths and trends. Europe has a much less shallow approach to the social implication of work on one's life. We should keep it in mind, and pride ourselves that we can innovate and do this whole startup thingy without parroting the broken Silicon Valley work ethic.

mdpopescu 10y ago
Agreed. I have yet to encounter any age-related problems in Europe and I'm 45. On the other hand, since I'm from Eastern Europe I might be cheaper - maybe they would object to a 45-year old British programmer. (I don't make Silicon Valley money.)
jug 10y ago
I'm happy to hear this because I've made huge experience related advancements in how I perceive programming, jumping on new trends, and so on since I became at least 30. History has a tendency to repeat itself and at some point you start to identify telltale signs, risks, and opportunities much better than when you were just hatched. And it does not (should not) need to be said how valuable such qualities can be at work.
dexterdog 10y ago
I wouldn't call it an American problem. I would call it a Silicon Valley problem.
- badsock 10y ago
  It's an American problem where some aspects are more obvious in SV. The attitudes that the US has towards employment is much more "kill or be killed" than most other developed countries, with very little recognition that it's a human being with non-economically quantifiable needs and value who's doing the work. Part of that is that wisdom (as opposed to CV bullet points) is hard to quantify.
  - vocatus_gate 10y ago
    America also gets a lot done due to that mentality, for better or worse.
    - camillomiller 10y ago
      Germany gets a lot done too, with the exact opposite mentality
      - vocatus_gate 10y ago
        Sure, they do alright I suppose. They're also not the most economically successful and powerful nation on Earth.

mdpopescu 10y ago

Agreed. I have yet to encounter any age-related problems in Europe and I'm 45. On the other hand, since I'm from Eastern Europe I might be cheaper - maybe they would object to a 45-year old British programmer. (I don't make Silicon Valley money.)

jug 10y ago

I'm happy to hear this because I've made huge experience related advancements in how I perceive programming, jumping on new trends, and so on since I became at least 30. History has a tendency to repeat itself and at some point you start to identify telltale signs, risks, and opportunities much better than when you were just hatched. And it does not (should not) need to be said how valuable such qualities can be at work.

dexterdog 10y ago

I wouldn't call it an American problem. I would call it a Silicon Valley problem.

badsock 10y ago
It's an American problem where some aspects are more obvious in SV. The attitudes that the US has towards employment is much more "kill or be killed" than most other developed countries, with very little recognition that it's a human being with non-economically quantifiable needs and value who's doing the work. Part of that is that wisdom (as opposed to CV bullet points) is hard to quantify.
- vocatus_gate 10y ago
  America also gets a lot done due to that mentality, for better or worse.
  - camillomiller 10y ago
    Germany gets a lot done too, with the exact opposite mentality
    - vocatus_gate 10y ago
      Sure, they do alright I suppose. They're also not the most economically successful and powerful nation on Earth.