I'm terrified of old people
A young writer’s awe at how much wiser older people seem prompts wide-ranging reflections on aging, competence, and power. Commenters note that experience brings pattern-recognition and perspective but not guaranteed wisdom, that many older people are no more insightful than the young, and that intergenerational tensions are amplified by politics, demographics, and media. Several argue for mixed-age workplaces and friendships, incremental rather than revolutionary change, and the value of continual self-critique—cringing at your past self—as a sign of growth rather than a reason for fear.
Self-awareness, growth, and “cringing at your past self”
- Many relate to periodically looking back and cringing; see this as a sign of learning and progress.
- Some note it usually takes 5–7 years of “real life” before realizing you don’t know much; OP is seen as early to this.
- Others warn the author’s pendulum may have swung too far from overconfidence to over-awe of older people.
Are older people terrifying, impressive, or overrated?
- Several readers think “terrified” is hyperbole; they read the piece as awe at the experience gap and at how older people often mask it.
- Others see unhealthy status anxiety: viewing older competence as a threat and as competition for “the top.”
- Strong pushback on the idea that age guarantees wisdom: many older people remain incompetent, petty, or stuck; experience only helps if it’s reflected on and used.
- Selection bias: HN readers tend to notice exceptional elders, not the average.
- Some argue experience has diminishing returns and may even cause “overfitting” and ruts.
Cognitive aging and leadership
- Commenters distinguish slower recall from decision quality; experience can offset some decline.
- Others insist that sharp cognitive decline after ~75 is real and makes very old leaders risky, even if they remain useful as advisers.
Intergenerational conflict and power
- Thread branches into politics: older cohorts are seen as protecting their socioeconomic position (housing, rents, pensions), shaping policy at the expense of younger people.
- Concerns about an unusually high share of elderly people in power who don’t grasp current economic realities for the young.
- Disagreement over whether today’s youth are materially worse off or just facing more competition and visibility of inequality.
- Proposals like mandatory social service for retirees spark debate: some see fairness and bridge-building, others see coercion and “micro‑management” of life.
Workplace, teams, and mixed ages
- Value of multigenerational teams is emphasized: different ages bring complementary perspectives and temper groupthink.
- Counterpoint: homogenous young teams can execute faster on a clear vision.
- Story of a burned‑out senior highlights that older behavior may be shaped by past overwork; caring vs emotional detachment in engineering is debated.
Practical advice and meta-commentary
- Multiple older readers encourage the author to keep writing and accept lifelong embarrassment as a feature of growth.
- Some criticize the piece as vanity/engagement‑bait with little substance; others say that kind of raw reflection is useful to one’s future self.