This is why I got out of areas of webdev etc that don't value deeper knowledge. I can't say how much more satisfying it is to be learning stuff that is useful for 10 years instead of the webdev framework of the day/month/year.

webdev requires deep knowledge, it just may be a kind of knowledge you aren't interested in. Placing more value in your own pet interests is more than a little condescending.

Thats why I qualified by saying "areas" of webdev.

Deep knowledge of what? The way different browsers render things?

All of the Web dev I've been involved in is pretty straight forward stuff to manage records in a database or make it easier to interact with the records on a browser.

The only thing remotely complex was 3d rendering. Perhaps I have a narrow view of what is considered web dev now.

"Webdev" is not fundamentally any different from any other kind of development that involves a client and server component. It just happens to be served in a web browser. You need the same underlying knowledge as for other (common) types of software development.

It certainly can. But it feels like a lot of the Web dev scene is people chasing their tails around writing yet another JavaScript library that does the same thing as one they're replacing but with slightly different syntax.

and how is this different than dev in general?

What have you moved in to from webdev?

Lower level areas - graphics, drivers. I'm a contributor to Servo, which is new tech but if successful will be around for at least a decade.

>>I am 43, and have much to do yet; if you are telling me I am due for retirement, I suggest you have a very warped view of the world.

I didn't mean to say that. Everybody has individual choices, and I respect yours.

And not all of us would like to code when we are 50+. Personally I would like to retire early to take time off for other things. This is entirely a personal perspective, and might change from person to person.

It's funny. I'm the CEO of a professional services company and I'm much more interested in coding nowadays than I'm nearing 50 than I was in my youth.

the game developer Jonathan Blow is also 43 years old. you wouldn't happen to be him, would you?

if so, cheers to you! keep up the good work. if not, same sentiment regardless.

Yep, that's him, given his profile in HN and http://the-witness.net/news/