...technology is a young man's (or woman's!) game. Eventually, the effort to re-invent yourself to keep up with the next big thing will overwhelm you. At that time, it's best to move on to management, change fields entirely, or (if you got lucky with stock options) retire.

...can we assume that anything submitted to Slashdot between (say) 12:01am and 6:00am Eastern time is spam, unless proven otherwise? It would simplify things greatly.

Okay, I'm a day late on that, but Happy Yule anyway. Or happy Saturnalia. Or, if you're into subverting the holidays and symbolism of others for your own needs, then Merry Christmas. Or, if you're into completely made-up holidays (as if there are any other kind), Happy Kwanzaa. Etc., etc., etc.