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I'm a seasoned citizen who sometimes complains about ageism on HN, but not today. I've come to realize that some of the complaints are valid and think it may ha

I'm a seasoned citizen who sometimes complains about ageism on HN, but not today. I've come to realize that some of the complaints are valid and think it may have to do with "resting on your laurels." To 'rest on your laurels' means that you get lazy or complacent about what you could achieve because you're too busy basking in the memories of former glories. [1] I've noticed in my older programmer friends and myself. Because you were a lead developer on a famous program in the 80's or 90's doesn't mean you know anything about programming in today's multicore, distributed processing world. If you're not a life long learner, you probably don't. But you have a big ego, which most people think is justifiable, and it gets in the way. It's happens to the best of us. I fight this tendency in myself by practicing the Zen concept of the beginner's mind [2] and egoless programming [3] This works outside of programming too. For example, I've always hated Los Angeles since the days when it was hot and smoggy, but last trip there I told myself I would look at it with fresh eyes. I discovered a lot of cool things about the place that I didn't see before. [1] https://www.historyextra.com/period/ancient-greece/why-do-we-say-resting-on-your-laurels-history-meaning/ https://www.historyextra.com/period/ancient-greece/why-do-we... [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_Mind,_Beginner%27s_Mind https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_Mind,_Beginner%27s_Mind [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egoless_programming https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egoless_programming

jesuscript 4y ago
Like all things in life, the truth is gray, but visible. A lot of young programmers suck. A lot of old programmers suck. Most young programmers are decent, and most old programmers are decent. Embrace average, and everyone just get the fuck over yourselves already.
- labrador 4y ago
  Here's what I'm excited about: When young I had a burning passion for programming but 30 years of programming for corporations and other "profit centers" slowly burned me out and used up my passion, leaving none for my self. Now that I'm retired I'm doing the best programming of my life. I got my passion back. I'm seriously thinking of devoting a few years to seeing what I can do when I have the freedom to take my time and do it the way I like to do it. I'm always inspired by the story of Colonel Sanders who was 62 living on a small social security income when he started Kentucky Fried Chicken. Who knows, retirement may be the greatest adventure of my life if I make it that way.
  - bbkane 4y ago
    Do you have a blog we can follow your adventures on? I just had a baby, so the only things I'm doing are sleeping, working, and feeding/diapers right now. It'd be nice to read about how you're spending your increased free time :)
    - labrador 4y ago
      No, I'm too busy programming. If my experiment is successful maybe I'll write a book for programmers: "How to rediscover your passion for programming in your senior years" Congrats on the new baby. Mine are approaching middle age, which is a whole other trip. It's weird to notice your kids are starting to have mid-life crises

jesuscript 4y ago

Like all things in life, the truth is gray, but visible. A lot of young programmers suck. A lot of old programmers suck. Most young programmers are decent, and most old programmers are decent. Embrace average, and everyone just get the fuck over yourselves already.

labrador 4y ago
Here's what I'm excited about: When young I had a burning passion for programming but 30 years of programming for corporations and other "profit centers" slowly burned me out and used up my passion, leaving none for my self. Now that I'm retired I'm doing the best programming of my life. I got my passion back. I'm seriously thinking of devoting a few years to seeing what I can do when I have the freedom to take my time and do it the way I like to do it. I'm always inspired by the story of Colonel Sanders who was 62 living on a small social security income when he started Kentucky Fried Chicken. Who knows, retirement may be the greatest adventure of my life if I make it that way.
- bbkane 4y ago
  Do you have a blog we can follow your adventures on? I just had a baby, so the only things I'm doing are sleeping, working, and feeding/diapers right now. It'd be nice to read about how you're spending your increased free time :)
  - labrador 4y ago
    No, I'm too busy programming. If my experiment is successful maybe I'll write a book for programmers: "How to rediscover your passion for programming in your senior years" Congrats on the new baby. Mine are approaching middle age, which is a whole other trip. It's weird to notice your kids are starting to have mid-life crises