[Camas]

>A mid-life crisis is about impending old age and death

And lack of meaning/purpose.

>And how many people undergoing a mid-life crisis devote their time to architecture or mathematics?

Plenty of mature students at universities. In the series it's just asserted that people do these things. It's not explored.

>snide quip

"succinct description"

>As another poster asked, how would you live if you were able to choose?

I think I have more meaningful choice in this world than a human living in the culture so not an interesting question.