It can be difficult getting hired as you get older. In the 80's programming was a relatively rare skill. It is common now and mediocre talent can get by because

It can be difficult getting hired as you get older. In the 80's programming was a relatively rare skill. It is common now and mediocre talent can get by because better hardware that allows them to write workable mediocre code. Frankly I like working on projects that solve real problems, not ones that take advantage of evolutionary quirks that hold peoples attention for ad revenue. Maybe older programmers just don't like what is being offered and move on to other things. Intelligent people can learn and grow in new directions. Aside from AI or Quantum Computing the industry is rather mature and not all that interesting. BioTech is hopping however. Much like the computer industry was at one time.