3 ms·

That's a very interesting perspective! Any particular reads inspired it? Though I think "imminent mortality" is not the only thing at the foundation of age-dri

That's a very interesting perspective! Any particular reads inspired it? Though I think "imminent mortality" is not the only thing at the foundation of age-driven conservatism. I think there is also tendency to follow paths of least resistance (energy conservatism): learning/discovering new ways of doing things comes with more friction (if one does not enjoy the learning/wandering process). EDIT: I just realized that the two points are really intertwined. Time conservatism is closely related to energy conservatism and cannot be regarded in isolation. (forgive the awkward terms)

theothermkn 9y ago
If anything, I formulated it–I'm sure it's not original–as a reaction against Kuhn's Structure of Scientific Revolutions and its nearly universal adoption by the worst kind of smug, vocal startuppity Silicon Valley types, who apply it to every objection to their newest pet projects. It just seems obvious to me how the fear and resentment of an imminent decline and demise transfers into one of the few places in an older person's life where they still have power, the dinner table and the voting booth. Aging is degrading and humiliating, and you're supposed to wear it with grace and dignity. And then the "news" guy on the conservative channel tells you about all the mistakes that kids and immigrants are making... Presto! Instant "conservative" harking back to an invented Golden Age. > ...if one does not enjoy the learning/wandering process... Or, if one does not perceive that the investment has time to pay off.
- marchenko 9y ago
  The Book Algorithms to Live By describes some research which found that it is not chronological age, but rather one's position on the explore/exploit curve that drives the apparent conservatism of old age. So a 70 year old who expects to live 50 more years might be considerably more novelty-seeking than a 70 year old who expects to live 20 more years, because the first has a longer interval within which to exploit the benefits of any useful finds.
  - theothermkn 9y ago
    Hey! Thank you for your post! I was pretty sure I hadn't formulated something new, and it's great to have a new book recommendation! The result you mention seems intuitively correct, and meshes with my own experience. The career changes that I'll consider in my 40s are definitely not the same ones I'd have considered in my 20s. There's no time!
jjoonathan 9y ago
It's a general result. Same reason why target date funds shift to more conservative assets as they approach their due date. Recovery time hedges risk, the absence of recovery time promotes risk aversion.

theothermkn 9y ago

If anything, I formulated it–I'm sure it's not original–as a reaction against Kuhn's Structure of Scientific Revolutions and its nearly universal adoption by the worst kind of smug, vocal startuppity Silicon Valley types, who apply it to every objection to their newest pet projects. It just seems obvious to me how the fear and resentment of an imminent decline and demise transfers into one of the few places in an older person's life where they still have power, the dinner table and the voting booth. Aging is degrading and humiliating, and you're supposed to wear it with grace and dignity. And then the "news" guy on the conservative channel tells you about all the mistakes that kids and immigrants are making... Presto! Instant "conservative" harking back to an invented Golden Age. > ...if one does not enjoy the learning/wandering process... Or, if one does not perceive that the investment has time to pay off.

marchenko 9y ago
The Book Algorithms to Live By describes some research which found that it is not chronological age, but rather one's position on the explore/exploit curve that drives the apparent conservatism of old age. So a 70 year old who expects to live 50 more years might be considerably more novelty-seeking than a 70 year old who expects to live 20 more years, because the first has a longer interval within which to exploit the benefits of any useful finds.
- theothermkn 9y ago
  Hey! Thank you for your post! I was pretty sure I hadn't formulated something new, and it's great to have a new book recommendation! The result you mention seems intuitively correct, and meshes with my own experience. The career changes that I'll consider in my 40s are definitely not the same ones I'd have considered in my 20s. There's no time!

jjoonathan 9y ago

It's a general result. Same reason why target date funds shift to more conservative assets as they approach their due date. Recovery time hedges risk, the absence of recovery time promotes risk aversion.