Live data from Hacker News

I'm 85 and I Learned To Code. You Should Too.

blog.codehs.com

11–20 of 42 posts

Re: I'm 85 and I Learned To Code. You Should Too.

#11
post #8
post #5

Seizure warning. Anyway, very impressive stuff. Too often, people seem to give up on learning new stuff at an older age. Usually around 30.

30 isn't older you cheeky fucker!

Wow, I suppose I should articulate this a little better.

It's easy to lose perspective when you immerse yourself in a culture that celebrates young successful entrepreneurs so much.

The comment referring people in their 30s as "older people" belies a pessimistic and unrealistic outlook that this perspective can sometimes give.

Just because you aren't Zuckerberg by the time you're 22 doesn't mean your life is over.

Thirty is not old. In fact there's no such thing as old, which I would've thought is something this blog is making plain.

There's always something new to learn, always opportunities on the horizon.

Re: I'm 85 and I Learned To Code. You Should Too.

#14
post #5

Seizure warning. Anyway, very impressive stuff. Too often, people seem to give up on learning new stuff at an older age. Usually around 30.

I agree with this as a general statement. The usual trend is that we learn so many new things while growing up. We attend school everyday. We get our degrees, get our jobs, and then we specialize. We are not so much learning any more as honing our already acquired skill set to mastery. There is a difference. Lifelong learning outside of your skill set is much better for your brain and decreases the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's and other age-related cognitive illnesses. So having the mindset to learn something new at 85 is amazing and I hope to always retain that thirst for knowledge. It's good for you!

Re: I'm 85 and I Learned To Code. You Should Too.

#15
post #9

We are making CodeHS to be as accessible as possible. We've had students of all ages, and it would be great to get feedback from everyone.

FYI, the "Please support our crowdfunding campaign CS in HS." link from that blog post doesn't work. Just a heads up.

Re: I'm 85 and I Learned To Code. You Should Too.

#16
post #9

We are making CodeHS to be as accessible as possible. We've had students of all ages, and it would be great to get feedback from everyone.

FYI, the "Please support our crowdfunding campaign CS in HS." link from that blog post doesn't work. Just a heads up.

whoah, thanks. should be fixed now.

Re: I'm 85 and I Learned To Code. You Should Too.

#18
post #5

Seizure warning. Anyway, very impressive stuff. Too often, people seem to give up on learning new stuff at an older age. Usually around 30.

I think when I run a company, instead of targeting only young people (on the assumption that they can learn new stuff faster) I'm going to give a bump to people who are 35+ and are still learning new stuff. It's the same theory as is behind choosing an attractive older person. You know that the good-looking 35-year-old has started to age and is still taking care of him- or herself; the good-looking 20-year-old could…

>> I think when I run a company,

1. What will you pay?

2. Do you allow for remote working?

3. Email is available on my profile.

:-) Thanks for posting the sentiment publicly. Much appreciated.

>> enough of an insubordinate/rebellious streak to protect their creativity and curiosity through their 20s, despite their corporate masters' attempts to destroy it

This is a very nice thing to say (and I consider myself in that category), but people like this are usually the one who come out of life being absolutely clobbered and all.. People like this are very nice to watch from a distance (and admire), but it is a very unpleasant hike to be in our shoes.

Re: I'm 85 and I Learned To Code. You Should Too.

#19
post #5

Seizure warning. Anyway, very impressive stuff. Too often, people seem to give up on learning new stuff at an older age. Usually around 30.

I think when I run a company, instead of targeting only young people (on the assumption that they can learn new stuff faster) I'm going to give a bump to people who are 35+ and are still learning new stuff. It's the same theory as is behind choosing an attractive older person. You know that the good-looking 35-year-old has started to age and is still taking care of him- or herself; the good-looking 20-year-old could…

Why do you think creativity and curiosity require protection through insubordination and rebellion?
Post reply on HN