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As someone who has been young (and unfortunately oldish now), I was much more innovative when younger. The one thing the old(er) version of me has over the youn

As someone who has been young (and unfortunately oldish now), I was much more innovative when younger. The one thing the old(er) version of me has over the younger version is I am now able to see better what is a good idea and what is a good idea that can be implemented.

sqldba 9y ago
I think I'm equally innovative as when I was young. But when I was young I was working for young small companies that didn't have any rules and you could do anything. Every company I work for now is absolutely groaning under the weight of bureaucracy and rules that prevent everything. You know - innovations generally don't fit in there well. I've got a mortgage. I care about getting fired over a technicality. So if you've got rules that stifle innovation then you won't see innovation. Amazingly, I do see young people in the company doing stuff, and being applauded by management. Those things ALSO break ALL of the rules. Management doesn't care. Ethically though I have a problem with breaking the rules just because I think I will get away from it. I'd rather they get rid of the damned rules. I guess I'm bitter that way and that bitterness has grown with age. When I was young I laughed at rules.
- danieltillett 9y ago
  I like to think my ideas are as good as they were as when I was younger, but I suspect this is just a lie I tell myself. The huge difference between being young and old(er) is you have a so much more to lose. When I was young all I had to lose was my dignity, today I have a wife, children, house, and security. I can’t complain in anyway as I have been very successful and answer to nobody but myself. Despite all of this I still miss the raw and angry innovation of my younger self.
Spearchucker 9y ago
As someone who was young (and very fortunately oldish now), I'm much more innovate when older. Everything the older version of me does is more insightful, considered and most importantly, likely to succeed. Experiences are more profound because I'm more aware of the moment. I'm no longer interested in the newest-model car or phone, am amazing at social interactions (super-goofy when young) and pursue fun and meaningful activities - in work and play. I have more good ideas than I know what to do with, and pass those onto others, if there's opportunity.
- danieltillett 9y ago
  I am not sure I would agree with you that it is fortunate to be old(ish), but I do agree age gives you the ability to better judge the quality of your ideas.
  - DonaldFisk 9y ago
    > I am not sure I would agree with you that it is fortunate to be old It's better than the alternative.

sqldba 9y ago

I think I'm equally innovative as when I was young. But when I was young I was working for young small companies that didn't have any rules and you could do anything. Every company I work for now is absolutely groaning under the weight of bureaucracy and rules that prevent everything. You know - innovations generally don't fit in there well. I've got a mortgage. I care about getting fired over a technicality. So if you've got rules that stifle innovation then you won't see innovation. Amazingly, I do see young people in the company doing stuff, and being applauded by management. Those things ALSO break ALL of the rules. Management doesn't care. Ethically though I have a problem with breaking the rules just because I think I will get away from it. I'd rather they get rid of the damned rules. I guess I'm bitter that way and that bitterness has grown with age. When I was young I laughed at rules.

danieltillett 9y ago
I like to think my ideas are as good as they were as when I was younger, but I suspect this is just a lie I tell myself. The huge difference between being young and old(er) is you have a so much more to lose. When I was young all I had to lose was my dignity, today I have a wife, children, house, and security. I can’t complain in anyway as I have been very successful and answer to nobody but myself. Despite all of this I still miss the raw and angry innovation of my younger self.

Spearchucker 9y ago

As someone who was young (and very fortunately oldish now), I'm much more innovate when older. Everything the older version of me does is more insightful, considered and most importantly, likely to succeed. Experiences are more profound because I'm more aware of the moment. I'm no longer interested in the newest-model car or phone, am amazing at social interactions (super-goofy when young) and pursue fun and meaningful activities - in work and play. I have more good ideas than I know what to do with, and pass those onto others, if there's opportunity.

danieltillett 9y ago
I am not sure I would agree with you that it is fortunate to be old(ish), but I do agree age gives you the ability to better judge the quality of your ideas.
- DonaldFisk 9y ago
  > I am not sure I would agree with you that it is fortunate to be old It's better than the alternative.