> This is the decade of your life when greatness is forged.
As is any other decade in your life.
It's not like the years 0 to 19 didn't build the foundation of your intellect, and you certainly don't stop developing (sometimes essential) new skills when you turn 30.
It's not like the years 0 to 19 didn't build the foundation of your intellect, and you certainly don't stop developing (sometimes essential) new skills when you turn 30.
Serious question: do you really think that was the previous comment's claim?
It certainly was implied, though my statement was really more directed at a certain cult of youth in the Valley where they really do seem to think that people suddenly can't build cool things anymore when they're older than 25. But to answer your question: yes, I do believe "the 20s are where greatness is forged" is a misleading claim.
I don't think it was a constructive response. No, the original post was not literally true.
But I don't think many people would deny that one's 20's are a key decade. In fact, if I had to pick a most important decade, that would be it. In your 20's, you're expected to start a career, and to do something valuable for society. You're going to meet the people who, 20 years later, will be willing to work with you because "I've known him for decades." 20-somethings have more energy than older people, but more direction than younger people.
Nobody seriously thinks people "suddenly" can't build cool things at a particular age. But I know very few people who would think that someone's intellectual output or energy keeps growing past their 20's. Of course, very few people expect a 25-year-old to be as wise or well-connected as a 45-year-old; if I were betting on who would start a better law firm or hedge fund, I'd bet on the older guy.
I disagree with everything you said, including the offhanded remark about the constructiveness of my response. As far as being constructive goes, I clearly laid out what I believe without attacking anyone, which is more than I can say about your question "Serious question: do you really think that was the previous comment's claim?" that I perceive as a mock inquiry despite the disclaimer of being serious.
Between so many aspects I'd like to focus specifically on what I perceive to be the core issue where you state:
> "But I know very few people who would think that someone's intellectual output or energy keeps growing past their 20's."
Let's not even try to discuss how many people we think are on either side of this. Let's instead talk about what we personally believe. And in this context I assert that it's very sad and indicative of a huge waste if a person's output doesn't increase meaningfully with increasing age, after all of the experience that should have gone along with it. It also sounds like there is a pseudo-biological assumption here that the brain basically goes into standby mode after you a person goes through their twenties; I don't believe that's true.
I don't think we're going to come to a consensus about this.
As is any other decade in your life.
It's not like the years 0 to 19 didn't build the foundation of your intellect, and you certainly don't stop developing (sometimes essential) new skills when you turn 30.