[hitchhiker999]

As a 38 year old who doesn't need to be hired:

I am infinitely more useful as a programmer now than when I was 18. I started when I was about 6, I had put in my 10,000 hours by around 18. I lacked so much.

I play on-line FPS to relax after a day of coding, I get to see the speed at which young people operate, and how they operate. It is limited.

It is hard to remain flexible as an adult, we can fall into the many 'slowdown' traps of ageing. If one doesn't, one can 'kick ass'.

Any community who thinks youth is exclusively valuable, lacks wisdom.

IMHO A combination of 80% experienced and 20% youthful energy appears to operate as the perfect catalyst for powerful progress.

I didn't realise SV was like this, what a shame.

[wavefunction]

There's a whole world beyond SV filled with companies that value experienced and reliable developers. I'm 35 and I'm the youngest dev at my current place, by quite a bit.

I've been around the block so many times now I can predict the majority of any new block. And spending your time outside of work doing things other than dev-related is great. I am adding a dog to my life on Sunday to help encourage me to keep up with my exercise regimen and get me outside. Enjoy life, we only have one!

[hitchhiker999]

Where are you? That sounds incredible.

I have 2 dogs, a wife and a new baby. I can lend you them for 3-4 years if you want ;) Nah, it's awesome. Thanks, and enjoy your new friend - great move!

[ojbyrne]

Of course, the fact that you feel 38 is in any way, shape or form, old, is insane.

[hitchhiker999]

Haha thanks man, i'll get off your lawn now.

I don't feel old at all, honestly!!!! - I know I'm still a yoot basically, I have so much to learn. It was only meant in relation to the context given (the article)