In software engineering, 30 represents the “peak of Mount Stupid,” and 40 marks the “valley of despair” on the Dunning-Kruger scale. Around this time, the effects of ego-boosting employee rewards and managerial pats on the back also begin to diminish in significance, as ego reaches critical mass and eventually implodes. (Though, of course, not for everyone.)

After mastering every possible programming language and accomplishing the seemingly impossible by 40, you come to the humbling realization that you know nothing. On top, every line of code you wrote has either become legacy or has already been deleted by the 20-year-old intern, who is eager to blame the old codebase in order to gain recognition.

So, to end the misery you call yourself something else.