If anything, I formulated it–I'm sure it's not original–as a reaction against Kuhn's Structure of Scientific Revolutions and its nearly universal adoption by the worst kind of smug, vocal startuppity Silicon Valley types, who apply it to every objection to their newest pet projects. It just seems obvious to me how the fear and resentment of an imminent decline and demise transfers into one of the few places in an older person's life where they still have power, the dinner table and the voting booth. Aging is degrading and humiliating, and you're supposed to wear it with grace and dignity. And then the "news" guy on the conservative channel tells you about all the mistakes that kids and immigrants are making... Presto! Instant "conservative" harking back to an invented Golden Age.

> ...if one does not enjoy the learning/wandering process...

Or, if one does not perceive that the investment has time to pay off.