4 ms·

To some extent it could also be that you’re presenting as young? FWIW - My only concern with older folks is that they’re either jaded, stuck in their ways tech

To some extent it could also be that you’re presenting as young? FWIW - My only concern with older folks is that they’re either jaded, stuck in their ways technologically, or obstinate towards being managed by people younger than them. Strong opinions held strongly is a net negative. This isn’t everyone or even a majority, but it’s quite a few.

rikroots 7y ago
> they’re either jaded, stuck in their ways technologically, or obstinate towards being managed by people younger than them Again, (mostly) stereotyping: "jaded" - I'd argue this hits a lot of front end developers after about 5 years. How many new frameworks have there been in the last 5 years? There comes a point when any sane person will look at the newest "killer" framework and decide to wait a couple of years before investing time in learning it, just in case next year's "killer" framework turns out to be more fun to learn. "stuck in their ways" - this is more a personality thing, I think. Most people will find their comfort zone pretty quickly, and then get grumpy when asked/required to venture outside of it. Risk aversion and/or laziness doesn't, in my view, increase significantly with age. "obstinate towards being managed" - this one is a problem that everyone has to face as they grow older. The sad fact (from what I've seen in my age group) is that some people just cannot come to terms with the ageing process, that there's going to be younger people who are better placed to do a team-leader/manager job than they are (because: longer experience in the industry). But that is something that can be worked on - the important thing is to demonstrate a willingness to at least give it a go, offer support to the younger manager (be a wise owl, not an old owl), and be an excellent team player. At least that's my attitude.
sandino 7y ago
This isn’t everyone or even a majority, but it’s quite a few. In other words: not only is there no hard data behind this view; there isn't any (from a gut perspective) that much of a correlation -- but it's a strong opinion, strongly held nonetheless.
- taurath 7y ago
  Its just an anecdote, not data, and it isn't an opinion I hold strongly! This is based on like 15 people.
grimjack00 7y ago
> Strong opinions held strongly is a net negative. Strong opinions like your opinion on older folks?
- taurath 7y ago
  I certainly could've and should've added a lot more context, or refrained from sending off a quick post without giving it more thought. I was trying to list the ways in which I've seen some programmers who happen to be older be a negative - not that anyone should make the assumption of any single older person, or that there's not equal or greater problems with younger people. Just different.

rikroots 7y ago

> they’re either jaded, stuck in their ways technologically, or obstinate towards being managed by people younger than them Again, (mostly) stereotyping: "jaded" - I'd argue this hits a lot of front end developers after about 5 years. How many new frameworks have there been in the last 5 years? There comes a point when any sane person will look at the newest "killer" framework and decide to wait a couple of years before investing time in learning it, just in case next year's "killer" framework turns out to be more fun to learn. "stuck in their ways" - this is more a personality thing, I think. Most people will find their comfort zone pretty quickly, and then get grumpy when asked/required to venture outside of it. Risk aversion and/or laziness doesn't, in my view, increase significantly with age. "obstinate towards being managed" - this one is a problem that everyone has to face as they grow older. The sad fact (from what I've seen in my age group) is that some people just cannot come to terms with the ageing process, that there's going to be younger people who are better placed to do a team-leader/manager job than they are (because: longer experience in the industry). But that is something that can be worked on - the important thing is to demonstrate a willingness to at least give it a go, offer support to the younger manager (be a wise owl, not an old owl), and be an excellent team player. At least that's my attitude.

sandino 7y ago

This isn’t everyone or even a majority, but it’s quite a few. In other words: not only is there no hard data behind this view; there isn't any (from a gut perspective) that much of a correlation -- but it's a strong opinion, strongly held nonetheless.

taurath 7y ago
Its just an anecdote, not data, and it isn't an opinion I hold strongly! This is based on like 15 people.

grimjack00 7y ago

> Strong opinions held strongly is a net negative. Strong opinions like your opinion on older folks?

taurath 7y ago
I certainly could've and should've added a lot more context, or refrained from sending off a quick post without giving it more thought. I was trying to list the ways in which I've seen some programmers who happen to be older be a negative - not that anyone should make the assumption of any single older person, or that there's not equal or greater problems with younger people. Just different.