Teenager invented a low-cost tool to spot elephant poachers

Re:Teenager invented a low-cost tool to spot elephant poachers by anchochilis on Monday August 29, 2022 @09:16AM (#32637808)

Because people who become high-achieving outliers tend to distinguish themselves in their adolescence. It's the start of a virtuous cycle where talent + hard work leads to admission into elite institutions (universities and, later, companies) which lead to positive network effects which amplify the ongoing application of talent + hard work.

It's rare for a previously unremarkable 36-year-old to suddenly turn in to Jeff Bezos (for a lot of reasons, not least that cognitive power peaks at age 25 so learning and adapting to novel situations gets harder with age).

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Re:Teenager invented a low-cost tool to spot elephant poachers by anchochilis on Monday August 29, 2022 @10:33AM (#32638783)

I see I'm getting downvoted: why?

I'm a thoroughly average 33-year-old, for what it's worth :) I don't mean to imply that we shouldn't continue strive for growth and development as we age, but I certainly am not as mentally quick or energetic as I was ten years ago. There is very little chance I will suddenly transform into jwz or John Carmack or <insert name of legendary hacker here>.

On the bright side, I am a better communicator and strategic decision-maker, and am more satisfied with my life as it is.

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Re:Teenager invented a low-cost tool to spot elephant poachers by Arisaka1 on Tuesday August 30, 2022 @07:52AM (#32649204)

I don't think you need to be at peak cognitive power for your contributions to be measurable and worth doing in society. No one would care about the age of the person who finds treatment for an autoimmune or teleportation.

Sure, you'll be delivering slower than what you would if you were 25 but slower is better than not delivering whatever unique you have to offer at all.

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