Phil Winstanley laments over the very true very real
disatisfactory working conditions young people around the world go through as they work alongside colleagues much more senior in age. And presumably, possessing more experience. Which presumably, equates to valuable knowledge.
What I want to highlight is that this "ageism" and "experience" are not symptons found only in software programmers. This is an inherent human mis-behaviour that happens in all walks of life, all sorts of industries, every single thing that we do. Humans by lazy nature detest the chore of learning a new way to accomplish an old task. Unless there are significant motivational factors that can push for more improvement, people tend to remain content once they have found a way to achieve their objectives.
Ever seen people who have been driving well over 10 years and yet display horribly worse understanding about the mechanics of vehicles than you do after less than a year of obtaining your driving license?
Ever seen a marine engineering attachment student try to convince a veteran sailor that standing directly over a super-tanker's anchor chain to clean it is exceedingly dangerous should the chain start bolting downwards?
"
Shut up kid, I've been doing this for 20 years and nothing's happened to me."
Ever tried to convince your mother how to cook better?
Ever had deadwood employees in <whatever> company taking <way too long> to accomplish <whatever task>, when the laughingly efficient solution is just an arm's reach away?
This even happens in gameplay, when players find a working method to clear a puzzle or slay a boss, their flow of thought
gets written in stone.
The more one does something without negative consequential incidents, the more one thinks s/he is doing things the
right way.
Happens with all things in life.
This is a poisonous way to live life, I reckon.
Whatever thing you do, there will almost always be a better way of doing it. Do not remain convinced what you know is always right (or best) and let it become
law. I remain convinced that I myself
cannot come up with every solution to everything; I amongst the billions of people who stay on this planet can only think of a few; the rest of the population should come up with some of their own given their own unique life experiences and angles of perception.
I believe the way to better life is to remain open, and
listen to those who sincerely have ideas to offer. Everything should undergo thoughtful discourse, pros and cons contemplated. Never ever blindingly dismiss the opinions of "youngsters" or "newbies" without ever contemplating and providing
proper justification.
I sincerely hope a person's disability to adapt and change (improve) is not a biologically-induced matter of age. For if it is so, I'd rather die early than old and stubborn.