42, happily but anxiously still coding. What most disturbs me about the ageism debate is that so many young programmers believe it is right, natural, and inevi

42, happily but anxiously still coding. What most disturbs me about the ageism debate is that so many young programmers believe it is right, natural, and inevitable to assume that older programmers should be cast aside. It is an odd form of false consciousness that so many of us believe in our 20s that we will be retired before 30. Someone mentioned Barrett's quote astonished that "clueless management" would treat programmers' careers like those of professional atheletes. But how clueless is it really, when so many of us think the exact same way? We all think we're going to be the lucky ones to strike it rich, all it takes is hard work and our natural talent and voila, $100M exit. Then, you reach mid-life, and still want to write code, how do you feel now about your youthful cavalier attitude? If I could travel back in time 20 years and tell myself "dude, someday you'll be my age too!" I probably wouldn't have done anything differently, but it would be a serious boost to the humility of our young brethren for them to realize that they too will be in our shoes one day--a day that comes far too soon. The thing is, I am actually one of the lucky ones. I could retire now and never work another day. Sure I don't have a private jet or a house in Atherton, but I have the freedom to walk away from anything and not worry about money. It's liberating, but I certainly don't want to stop. I love programming! I want to keep working. And based on the sentiments of those around me, and the nice paycheck I command, it's clear I still have a lot to contribute to this economy before I'm put out to pasture. But I would like a less toxic enviroment. Fortunately I don't encounter many clueless managers these days. I simply don't work for organizations where decisions would be made to hire youth just to save a few bucks. But I still encounter the young bucks who think I'm too expensive and simply there to steal their thunder and take credit for everything. Just remember kids, someday you will be just like me, if you're lucky. We have so little time, don't waste any of it comparing yourself to others--young or old. Treat every day as a competition with yourself... to end the day a little bit smarter, a little wiser, a little bit more humble than you were when the day started.