[neilv]

Honest points, though of course doesn't apply to all.

Of course, some people burn out, or were never focused enough on work to end up knowing much more about work at 45 than they did at 25.

Others at 45 are as sharp and energetic about work as they ever were, and constantly learning, with the added benefit of much more experience than they had at 25.

Some people in early 20s start families, or would prefer to spend all their time traveling and rock climbing.

Some people in 40s live to work, for the craft and/or bigger goals for the world, and, even if they were financially independent already, would be doing much the same work, even without being paid.