The issue here is old versus new.
The reality is that you will find fault in younger and older developers.
Most older developers propagate the stereotype because most of them have skills that have not kept up, and therefore their productivity is not as good as it use to be. This is the majority but NOT all of them.
Most younger developers have more up to date skills but although they are experts at playing all the instruments in an orchestra, they often do not know how to put it all together, to write a symphony. In other words, they may know a lot about a lot of technology, but they often do a poor job of applying that knowledge. They often misapply. They're too into cool and toys, fads, gee-wiz fun.
The REALITY: You will find awesome good developers that are Old, and Young. The bad old developers were bad in their youth. The bad new developers can become great old developers in time.
This issue is too divisive, and filled with a lot of mythology.
I'm 53, and been developing for 34 years. I'm an old dude, but I will be the FIRST to admit that MOST of my fellow old dudes are not very good developers. Either they are lazy, complacent, don't feel well anymore, or are waiting for retirement. I am of the minority. I keep my skills as fresh as possible, and I hang with the best younger developers no problems.
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The issue here is old versus new. The reality is that you will find fault in younger and older developers. Most older developers propagate the stereotype because most of them have skills that have not kept up, and therefore their productivity is not as good as it use to be. This is the majority but NOT all of them. Most younger developers have more up to date skills but although they are experts at playing all the instruments in an orchestra, they often do not know how to put it all together, to write a symphony. In other words, they may know a lot about a lot of technology, but they often do a poor job of applying that knowledge. They often misapply. They're too into cool and toys, fads, gee-wiz fun. The REALITY: You will find awesome good developers that are Old, and Young. The bad old developers were bad in their youth. The bad new developers can become great old developers in time. This issue is too divisive, and filled with a lot of mythology. I'm 53, and been developing for 34 years. I'm an old dude, but I will be the FIRST to admit that MOST of my fellow old dudes are not very good developers. Either they are lazy, complacent, don't feel well anymore, or are waiting for retirement. I am of the minority. I keep my skills as fresh as possible, and I hang with the best younger developers no problems.