[over40guy4]

I doubt many 40+ programmers are going to come out in support of this article. In cases of discrimination, you are labeled a crybaby so it's better to just stay quite. HN is mostly young and the only 40+ ones here are the type who like puzzles or in top 1 percentile of programming (e.g. patio11). For a vast majority of 40+ programmers, the reality is as grim as painted in this article.

If you are not in top 1 percentile of programming abilities, you better move to management. This is hard for someone who isn't verbally aggressive. Positions for management require X years of managing Y employees so if didn't make the move early on, you are doomed. Given that there isn't a puzzle/test type of way to rank managers, the management positions get doled out as opposed to competed for. You have to be in the shoes of a 40+ programmer who is not in top 1 percentile to know this :-(

[patio11]

While I appreciate the praise, I am likely not in the top 1% of programming ability. (People often say that I am, because I'm pretty good at written and oral communication. Take note, young impressionable HNers, because this strongly suggests reprioritizing which trees to put your talent points into.)

As to your own circumstances: there exist many clueful companies which would hire you. Find my email if you want to talk specifics. This is not a market where anyone skilled should be hurting for offers.

[Poiesis]

To add to patio11's note: I don't have as much social clout here as he, but believe me when I say that people skills (I'm lumping in various communication skills here) are way, way more important than technical skills. Reprioritizing is right. In my opinion, his success is due more to his "soft" skills; he's closer to a one-percenter [grin/duck/run] in terms of his communication skills than his technical ones.

Even so, this isn't rocket science. Just like any other skill, effective communication can be taught. Like many other pursuits, it doesn't take long to distinguish yourself just because there's so much rubbish out there.

[adrianhoward]

HN is mostly young

Interesting. I wasn't aware of an age breakdown of HN readers. Could you point me to it?

Most of the people I personally know on HN are over 30... but that may be selection bias on my part :-)

Given that there isn't a puzzle/test type of way to rank managers, the management positions get doled out as opposed to competed for

That may be true of some organisations, but certainly not all. Managers get judged on a bunch of metrics in many organisations... often bad ones unfortunately (then again - so are puzzle questions for developers :-)

[dabent]

"The only 40+ ones here are ... in top 1 percentile of programming"

Thanks. (Although I do like puzzles as much as the next HN member)

[ucr]

Given that there isn't a puzzle/test type of way to rank managers

False. The test is: how much money did your team make? (For the truly crafty, the test is: how much money did your team make relative to the initial investment and risk?)

[drucken]

You reveal a short-termist Anglo-Capitalist bias.

This is not how good managers are assessed in other forms of capitalism or business.

Consistent long-term business growth is far more important in some, e.g. in Germanic and Scandinavian countries.

In general, you could say a good manager meets the targets that have been set by higher management, whatever they may be.

Yes, I am a manager.

[ucr]

You're more right than my response was. I just wanted to point out that tests for managers do exist, which was what was under dispute.