Slashdot Mirror
Ageism in IT?
Embedded Geek writes "It's hardly a new topic, but BBC is running a story about ageism hitting Gen-X, especially in IT. As a 34 year old coder, I was horrified to hear a quote from a *hiring manager*: 'In the IT sector (and coding in particular) younger minds generally work faster -- I would rather employ a keen teenager who code programs computers quickly than an older person.' It didn't help that the person is 32 years old. My kneejerk reaction, the same one anyone else over 30 would have, is that the guy is a buffoon (I'll withhold my preferred, spectacularly vulgar, term). The problem is that I do not believe his idiocy is unique - I have definitely felt the vibe when interviewing. It's frustrating, since Gen-X is finally shedding the media hyped 'slacker' stereotype only to run headlong into this garbage. Have any other Slashdot readers seen this? What is the youngest you can be before some PHB declares you fit for the scrap-heap? Other than stocking up on hair dye and botox, what steps can I take to prepare for the future? Share your war stories here." Ask Slashdot handled this topic over two years ago. Of course, this behavior could be explained away as economic concerns, as the decision to hire younger (and typically cheaper) employees can directly affect the bottom line. However, one has to wonder if the decision to go with less experienced programmers also affects software quality, in the long run. What are your thoughts on this subject?
With all these old folks posting on Slashdot? Don't they know it's a site for young people? Sheesh, go hang out on cnn.com, grandpa.
15 years old of course, before they get interested in sex, and start developing a mind of there own
As a respectable web pornographer I would have to say that when we consider subjects for our titalating erotic material, or as the 31337 call it, pr0n, we do choose to go with the younger crowds. Anyone over the age of 30 is typically considered outdated and useless. Unless of course you are visiting one of our spectacular granny sites.
postmodernsideshow.com
Cliff, himself probably around 30, cannot spell the word "hire" correctly, while most teenagers probably can.
Get with the times, gramps.
I'm 21 and am lazy as fuck. I write a Perl script every six months. Don't hire me. I hope by the time that I'm 30 I'll be writing code much more frequently. But for now stay away and let me mature.
Of course, this behavior could be explained away as economic concerns, as the decision to higher younger (and typically cheaper) employees can directly affect the bottom line.
I am outraged that the widespread discrimination against short folks has taken another, worrying, twist: even in evaluating programming skills!
Sigged!
...the crystal attached to the palm of my hand keeps blinking red!
Blah blah blah blah 11 year old asian girl yummmmmm. blah blah blah
...because no matter how good you are there will always be an 11 year old asian girl who is better than you'll ever be.
Well then she must be destroyed.
-CausticPuppy "Of all the people I know, you're certainly one of them." -Somebody I don't know
I tried to learn the piano, but I was getting errors with #include.
Uh, if you have to list "Graduated from High School" on your resume, that's not a good sign.
Slashdot: Failed Car Analogies. Amateur Lawyering. Anecdote Battles.
That would explain a lof of things. Uh, what is it we were talking about?
Slashdot: Failed Car Analogies. Amateur Lawyering. Anecdote Battles.
Computer technology in general ? 2000 notes with extra magic shifts and a dvorak bit sounds more like an emacs optimised keyboard
Drum lessons - $30/week.
Being able to BURN your son at something - priceless.
Solution: Hire a smart gay programmer in his 30's/40's. Usually no children. Oftentimes single or in a relationship that's not as co-dependent as that in hetero relationships. Rejected by youthful gay social culture as being too "old" for anything.
Result: An experienced programmer with lots of time on his hands (and other things you shouldn't ask about).
Steve Magruder, Metro Foodist
I think a better question is whether a programmers ability is affected by the length of his beard.
... and I will hit you with my cane!
Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago. -Bernard Berenson
Pre-emptive strike on Asia is in order.
Slowest.
Dupe.
Ever.
Pedophilia ha ha funny...
"If you're thinking what I'm thinking, you're right." -
Funny, this is what I always said about Tekken, though I was non-gender-specific. Ever notice how you can be pretty good at a game and then some asian kid barely tall enough to reach the joysticks can school you in a hot second?
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
... on a hill overlooking a herd of heifers. The young bull says, "I think I'm going to run down there and fuck one of them." The old bull says, "you go ahead. I'm going to walk down there and fuck'em all."
More often than not, if you tell a young programmer to solve a shipping problem he'll head straight back to his desk and start coding. If you tell an older programmer to solve a shipping problem, he'll head over to shipping and start learning about the problem.
Watching Cowboy Bebop in my jammies, eating a bowl of Shreddies.