[rvieira]

> people younger than me that just blow me away with their smarts

(sidenote: are you sure it's really "smarts"? Many people (younger and older) just have a combination of superficial knowledge with good salesperson skills. It creates the illusion of an expert)

Personally, I think it comes down to an ability to focus. I don't think there's a problem so impenetrable that time and focus can't crack.

The problem is (again, IMO) that today's society rewards quick feedback. I find myself in a disadvantage as I need quite a lot of time to sit down, break the problem down and reflect on it. I'll give an example on how this is unfair: school system exams. Everyone gets the same time, even though some will get there eventually if only given more time.

So perhaps the problem is not you, and your natural thinking rhythm.