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Ask HN: I'm 40 and feel my mental ability declining. Programming seems harder.

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Re: Ask HN: I'm 40 and feel my mental ability declining. Programming seems harder.

#521

Post by therealdrag0 »

aeschinder wrote: post #468
xnorswap wrote: post #3

Is the current API under test? Your number #1 priority with any port or major refactor is getting the current implementation defined and under test, so any replacement can be tested against the same tests. Once you've done that you should have a solid foundation and understanding of what the API actually does . In getting it under test, you'll also build up better mental models of which parts are actually separate an…

Is the current API testable? So many times I've taken ownership of code that requires an active connection to a database to even be up and running. Changing the code so it's testable usually changes the code so much it is very hard to have confidence it works the same way as the original implementation. My old company lived and died by its instrumentation of DAU (daily active users). We would try to refactor the code…

How would DI impact DAU?

Re: Ask HN: I'm 40 and feel my mental ability declining. Programming seems harder.

#522

Post by MollyRealized »

I am coming late to this thread, but I'd also like to note: we don't exist in a vacuum. In less than 10 years, we've had severe civil schism and a worldwide pandemic. These things can activate our fight-flight-freeze-fawn system, which specifically takes energy from higher thought. That last sentence I need to underscore as actual neuroscience, not anything hippy-dippy. The cure is, among other things, to be kind to yourself. Again, neuroscience: to assure that system within you that you are okay helps return the system to better functioning.

Re: Ask HN: I'm 40 and feel my mental ability declining. Programming seems harder.

#525

Post by bit-101 »

jb1991 wrote: post #17

I don't know you personally but I doubt cognitive decline has anything to do with this. As we age, we usually end up with more and more life responsibilities, beyond just the work we are doing. All of that is input to the brain and requires energy in response. The brain is not infinite. I often feel as you do, but then I have periods where I am as light and agile in my productivity as 20 years ago, maybe even more so…

I concur with a lot of what other people are saying here. Late 50s, programming professionally for around 25 years. But recently switched to management. Really hard for me to focus on details of the companies code anymore.

But... when I get on some personal project, I'm on fire. I can learn new languages and concepts and systems and build pretty complex things that people are amazed at.

I think it's more job burn out after years of writing code for other people. You write the code and you work towards the deadline like the world is going to end if you don't make it. Then that code is in production for a year or two. Maybe more if you're lucky, and then it's gone, replaced by some new thing. You stop caring quite as much. But you see these new young kids on fire and working all night and you get imposter syndrome and you try to care and you beat yourself up and think you're losing your touch. tmi?

Re: Ask HN: I'm 40 and feel my mental ability declining. Programming seems harder.

#526

Post by gcj »

At 40 you should still be sharp, it seems hard to me to accept this is natural cognitive decline.

Had you have COVID? Some people, including myself, have shown long term cognitive effects after it. It took me about 6 months to get back to normal.

This can also be purely psychological. Talk to a doctor!

Re: Ask HN: I'm 40 and feel my mental ability declining. Programming seems harder.

#527

Post by EdgarVerona »

I have been reading a book that was recommended to me, "From Strength to Strength": and while it is cheesy as fuck, the theory it presents is interesting and has made me think a lot about what has been driving my identity for the past 20 years, and how to pivot from an "addiction" to problem solving into the latter years of life, where you will more frequently be asked to rely on strategizing and helping others to succeed rather than performing the individual contributor tasks that you relied on for a feeling of fulfillment up to this point.

Maybe this will help you too, but I would recommend skipping the intro chapter if you do decide to read it. I almost put it down because the example being given in that chapter was so obviously fake and contrived. But ultimately I am glad that I continued reading it and would recommend it to someone in your situation.

Re: Ask HN: I'm 40 and feel my mental ability declining. Programming seems harder.

#530

Post by timtas »

I started writing code full time at age 38. I turn 60 this year, and I feel like I'm going strong. I might have lost a half step. I guess I won't be writing code at 70.

It's possible I'm unique, but I don't think so. I wonder if you're just distracted or perhaps experiencing burnout.

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