Hacker News Reader

Comment by carbocation | Hacker News Reader

I didn't downvote you, but I don't agree. Age is not a gating factor. You can be hungry at any age.

Absolutely agree.

In my 20's I was completely certain that I would be successful without hard work as I was smart & talented. After a decade of that imagined success not materialising I am far hungrier, more determined and working harder now than I have ever been before.

Same here. At 29 I've finally internalized the reality that nothing valuable comes easily. Dreams and goals don't accomplish themselves.

Right now, I'm working my ass off to do a software craftsmanship apprenticeship. It has taken time to develop the maturity to be content to focus on what I need to do today and not worry about when, where, and how the hard work will pay off.

Much as I'd like to believe this, I was recently having a discussion with a neuroscience researcher where he talked about this natural phenomenon they've observed. Infants are on this side of the line craving novelty and mastery while aged folks are on the opposite end with comfort and familiarity. Everyone else lies sequentially in between.

That made a lot of sense to me. No doubt we can override it but...this kind of predisposition does place restrictions that one may not otherwise account for.

Plus, what better time than NOW!

I say this as I study for midterms

There is nothing special about the mid-20s that makes you less hungry, biologically. It's just cultural: in our culture, it's typical to be settled into a way of life by your 20s or 30s. That doesn't put up a real roadblock unless you let it. The research you're talking about wouldn't, I'm guessing, contradict this.

Well I was more focusing on the effect than the cause since this is a cause in the current context (i.e. lack of 'hunger').

But yeah, most of it IS probably driven by culture. That said, I'm sure there are some biological intricacies too. Something like x years after puberty your brain starts to want more of the same things - something that would definitely help in establishing a stable lifestyle and child rearing.

I think you're both right. There is a strong tendency for people to get comfortable and less hungry as they age. But there's no reason this can't be resisted. Indeed, I've done that myself. :)

Reply on news.ycombinator.com