I think that, barring disease, the mind works as well in later years as you MAKE IT WORK. You have to keep working the brain to keep it in shape.
I'm 47 years old, and programming games is only a hobby, but I'm a software architect/developer by profession. Most of the work I currently do is C#/asp.net/SqlServer, but that varies greatly according to the contract. I first started working with computers in the military from 1977-1981, and haven't done anything else as a profession since. Doing contract development work, I've had to learn (constantly am having to learn) new languages, new methodologies, and new tools while still meeting the deadline of the contract. I probably buy/read an average of 3 programming-related books per month from Amazon or Bookpool.com, and that's on top of the online book access through safaribooksonline.com .
Personally, I take cognitive abilities in later years pretty seriously, so I also constantly play thinking games, try to learn new things non-computer related, follow practices in books like "The Memory Book", and keep up on nutrition and exercise. An example of learning new things - I was 43 years old when I decided to switch from the QWERTY keyboard arrangement to the DVORAK. I could already type over 70 WPM in QWERTY, but now type over 90 WPM in DVORAK at 99% accuracy.
I try to do my part to ensure the old brain isn't turning to sludge, but really think that without ongoing, lifelong active effort to keep it in tune it would quickly deteriorate.
Mark.
I'm 47 years old, and programming games is only a hobby, but I'm a software architect/developer by profession. Most of the work I currently do is C#/asp.net/SqlServer, but that varies greatly according to the contract. I first started working with computers in the military from 1977-1981, and haven't done anything else as a profession since. Doing contract development work, I've had to learn (constantly am having to learn) new languages, new methodologies, and new tools while still meeting the deadline of the contract. I probably buy/read an average of 3 programming-related books per month from Amazon or Bookpool.com, and that's on top of the online book access through safaribooksonline.com .
Personally, I take cognitive abilities in later years pretty seriously, so I also constantly play thinking games, try to learn new things non-computer related, follow practices in books like "The Memory Book", and keep up on nutrition and exercise. An example of learning new things - I was 43 years old when I decided to switch from the QWERTY keyboard arrangement to the DVORAK. I could already type over 70 WPM in QWERTY, but now type over 90 WPM in DVORAK at 99% accuracy.
I try to do my part to ensure the old brain isn't turning to sludge, but really think that without ongoing, lifelong active effort to keep it in tune it would quickly deteriorate.
Mark.