If someone thinks the peak of their creativity and mental abilities occurs at mid 20's, then I feel sad for them. It's more about attitude and practicalities of life than an inherent degradation of mental faculties.
As someone who is probably already considered "old" by tech industry standards (I am 32), I've definitely noticed an improvement in my thinking and ability to solve problems compared to ten years ago.
Unless my attitude towards learning changes, some kind of physical ailment occurs, or my priorities change due to unforeseen circumstances I don't see myself slowing down anytime soon.
So it's obvious not fair to say younger people are "smarter". It might be more fair to say that younger people have more time to devote to learning.
~26 years old is really just the beginning, since the brain isn't even fully developed until that age. The hardware is now complete, so then it becomes more about regularly updating your software(i.e. challenging your knowledge and skills with new information, and not believing you are past your peak). The great thing about having fairly fixed hardware, and hardware that is pretty much like everyone else's, is that you are left with the choice of either maintaining the learning attitude of a child or settling into a role you think you are destined for, effectively closing all sorts of doors willingly. I choose to not think about my age or think of myself as an "adult". I sometimes forget how old I am. I kind of like it.
Comments
If someone thinks the peak of their creativity and mental abilities occurs at mid 20's, then I feel sad for them. It's more about attitude and practicalities of life than an inherent degradation of mental faculties.
As someone who is probably already considered "old" by tech industry standards (I am 32), I've definitely noticed an improvement in my thinking and ability to solve problems compared to ten years ago.
Unless my attitude towards learning changes, some kind of physical ailment occurs, or my priorities change due to unforeseen circumstances I don't see myself slowing down anytime soon.
So it's obvious not fair to say younger people are "smarter". It might be more fair to say that younger people have more time to devote to learning.
~26 years old is really just the beginning, since the brain isn't even fully developed until that age. The hardware is now complete, so then it becomes more about regularly updating your software(i.e. challenging your knowledge and skills with new information, and not believing you are past your peak). The great thing about having fairly fixed hardware, and hardware that is pretty much like everyone else's, is that you are left with the choice of either maintaining the learning attitude of a child or settling into a role you think you are destined for, effectively closing all sorts of doors willingly. I choose to not think about my age or think of myself as an "adult". I sometimes forget how old I am. I kind of like it.