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Comment on Ask HN: Why is it harder to learn new things the older you get?

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Shallow learning in the form of a quick, correct grasp of almost anything new (and interesting) is easier to me now than 25 years ago because of good foundational skills and broad industrial experience. On the other hand, deep focus on something alien for a long and sustained period is a no go: I have not the time, not the patience, not the need to find my place in life at this stage, so I can just take what helps me directly and move on.

"not the need to find my place in life at this stage,"

I appreciated this perspective. My primary motivation for pursuing deep work is due to an insecurity with my current ability to be useful to the economy. If this was validated or I solved the mental part of it, I suspect the anxiety would lessen a bit.

Personal circumstances and social pressure vary a lot around the globe, but I dare to suggest that the hardest validation to be won is very often from ourselves, so the latter to me. Take care.

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