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Ask HN: Resources for older developers?

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Re: Ask HN: Resources for older developers?

#51

Post by tessierashpool »

softwaredoug wrote: post #13

In my 20s I worried about losing my intellectual abilities in my 40s and 50s What you really just lose is patience for BS :) Sure, yeah, you lose 10% of your raw intellect if you stay healthy[1]. You probably more than make up for it in experience and wisdom. But hell the thing that demotivates me is the recycled insanity of large organizations, egotistical tech executives, hype cycles, and all the other BS. Eventual…

> you lose 10% of your raw intellect if you stay healthy

this is not true, and not substantiated. maybe you meant “if you don’t stay healthy,” but it’s still not an accurate number, or even a thing which is specific enough that attaching a number to it could mean anything.

there is some improvement in cognitive function from exercise, but that applies to all age ranges.

Re: Ask HN: Resources for older developers?

#52

Post by rlawson »

sokoloff wrote: post #37

I'm in my 50s. I can't think of any category or dimension of tech resources that would more or less valuable for me in my 50s than they would be if I were in my 30s. Advice on exercise and eating responsibly might be the category (that you probably didn't have in mind) that would be different. Twenty years ago, I could play a softball doubleheader and hit the pub for a dinner of wings and several beers and be fine th…

Yeah this 100%. I have always ran but I added weights and it had made a huge difference in how I feel. Also limit to one drink otherwise the next day is rough

Re: Ask HN: Resources for older developers?

#53

Post by sanitycheck »

mariopt wrote: post #6

I suppose Senior developers, my self included, enjoy fast paces straight to the point learning resources. One of my favorite websites is https://egghead.io/ but some people do complain about behind a bit too fast. Overall, there is heaps of great tutorial on youtube. If you're looking for an online community mostly you'll be facing many people who are learning how to code. I would choose a specific software and look…

I do agree with your general point and I clicked, hopefully, and... Oh, yikes, video! No I want my learning resources to be a lot faster than videos.

Books are fastest, sadly they're often out of date by the time they're published these days.

I said "these days", I think that qualifies me as a grumpy old man.

Re: Ask HN: Resources for older developers?

#54

Post by cableshaft »

granshaw wrote: post #32
jmull wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

Yeah try 40-50% instead

Have some data on that? This is what I've been able to find, and it suggests 'fluid intelligence' only drops down 10% from your peak in your 20s by age 54, and down 14% by age 64, which is nowhere near what you're suggesting (in fact it never gets that low according to this). And crystallized intelligence much slower than that.

"Fluid intelligence or fluid reasoning reflects the ability to solve novel problems, the kind that aren't taught in school," he explains, "whereas crystallized intelligence or crystallized knowledge measures learning and problem solving that are related to schooling and acculturation."

These different types of intelligence show different patterns as you get older.

Crystallized intelligence "averages 98 at ages 20–24, rises to 101 by ages 35–44, before declining to 100 (ages 45–54), then 98 (55–64), then 96 (65–69), then 93 (70–74), and 88 (75+)," says Kaufman.

Fluid intelligence drops much more quickly. Kaufman reveals that it "peaks at ages 20–24 (100), drops gradually to 99 (25–34) and 96 (35–44) before starting a rollercoaster plunge to 91 (45–54), 86 (55–64), 83 (65–69), 79 (70–74), and 72 (75+)."

[1]: https://www.sciencealert.com/does-iq-decline-as-we-age-one-t...

Re: Ask HN: Resources for older developers?

#55

Post by rlawson »

danesparza wrote: post #14

I'm a developer in my late 40's. Just like a LOT of other developers, I have a stackoverflow profile, a set of (active) personal Github repos, and a presence on LinkedIn. I love clear, to-the-point video instruction. I don't think it's age-specific, but I really like "Tech World with Nana" on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TechWorldwithNana Hacker News (this site) is where I follow industry trends, along with Ars…

Yep - hobbies and exercise is huge. I added weights and it has made a lot of difference. Also have to be more aware of my posture and eye/head position to avoid back/neck strain (a standing desk helps a lot)

Re: Ask HN: Resources for older developers?

#56

Post by lowercased »

calderwoodra wrote: post #50

I'm younger than most of the folks commenting here, but I've noticed very clearly that my eyes aren't nearly as strong as they used to be. I'm wondering how older folks deal with this beyond just wearing glasses. Additionally, some other things I'd like to learn about: Any subreddits geared for older developers? Any supplements that are great for older engineers/knowledge workers?

Larger monitors? I worked off a laptop for 15 years. I was a lot more mobile, and the laptop was my primary display.

2020, with travel stopped, I got a desktop and couple of large monitors (32"). I still don't feel terribly more 'productive' with multiple monitors (years of experience on single monitor only!) but the large monitors help a lot. Separately, since I primarily work on a desktop, it's harder to just 'work' whenever/wherever I am, so there's more of a "I'm done now" aspect at the end of a day. I still have laptop, and can do stuff on it when I need to, but over the last couple of years, that's been far far less than it was 10 years ago.

I use glasses, but for driving only.

Re: Ask HN: Resources for older developers?

#58

Post by bovermyer »

I'm early 40s. I can't think of any specific communities for 50+, or even 40+.

There's the subreddit /r/ExperiencedDevs, but that's less social and more Q and A.

It might be worth checking into Discord servers to see if there are any that cater to more experienced devs. If you find one, let me know.

Re: Ask HN: Resources for older developers?

#59

Post by rlawson »

calderwoodra wrote: post #50

I'm younger than most of the folks commenting here, but I've noticed very clearly that my eyes aren't nearly as strong as they used to be. I'm wondering how older folks deal with this beyond just wearing glasses. Additionally, some other things I'd like to learn about: Any subreddits geared for older developers? Any supplements that are great for older engineers/knowledge workers?

For me: Standing desk has helped a lot with back/neck pain. Large monitors set to a more age friendly resolution. Turmeric for cutting down on inflammation.

Re: Ask HN: Resources for older developers?

#60

Post by mstudio »

If one exists, I'd love to be part of it. Many of these comments really resonate with me (in my 40s as well). I find that I'm more effective as a developer now than I was years ago – partly because I know myself better. I understand that I love building things hands-on while collaborating with other engineers, designers or stakeholders. I understand that, in the end, people are using these products we build and that I need to keep that in mind.

I also know the things that I either do not enjoy or am not good at, like management. I'm happy to keep coding for as long as my brain will allow it.

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