I read this piece on TechCrunch about ageism in tech and nodded my head all the way through.

Facing facts, I've been sidelined in tech for quite a number of years. No one offers me a place in new startups. When I was younger things were a lot different.

If I can't get into the game, I can't imagine there's much chance for most other people in their 50's to play a role. Which is really fucked up. It's probably the reason why we keep going around in the same loops over and over, because we chuck our experience, wholesale, every ten years or so.

And if you think there's much difference between JavaScript and C, you're dreaming. Or between JSON and XML or plain text files. These are gratuitous reinventions. Yes there have been some improvements. I wouldn't know how to build a Facebook server farm. But they could learn a few things about aggregators from work of mine years ago that they've never seen. Or outliners. Or CMSes. Or object databases.

If you invest in tech companies, try bringing in some tech experience. It might push your comfort level. It also might make you much more competitive.

 8/28/2010; 5:13:43 PM.   .

Today's ride was in prime time, and everyone was out on bikes, rollerblades, boards, walking, running, you name it.

And everyone was hogging every inch of the road, including my bits of the road. Lots of near-misses, cars driving in the bike lanes, and people walking and riding four a-breast. Tomorrow's ride will be at dawn. Let's see if I can get some of the road for myself.

Even with all the michegas, I did some serious mileage. Feeling really strong and good. It's hot weather, but heat is very good for riding. And the sun was shining in a very California way, and the Hudson was shimmering and humming with kayakers, the Circle Line, helicopters, shipping and recreational traffic.

The map. 10.46 miles in 56 minutes. Turnaround at 99th.

Not too many more weekends like this before it gets collllld.

PS: There should be a Hacker News for biking.

 8/28/2010; 4:30:51 PM.   .