In general, you get better with experience; but in computing, it is possible for youth to succeed. We pay attention to this because it is striking, not because it is generally true.
It does indicate something different about computing that offsets the benefits of expertise - the obvious factor is that the periodic revolutions in computing technology largely neutralize past expertise, putting old and young on a more equal footing than is usually the case. Some expertise carries over to the next revolution; some does not; and some is actively detrimental.
I like the example of postscript, the first product of Adobe, developed by two guys in their 40's. Of course, Microsoft, Apple, Google and Facebook were founded by young guys, so it does seem as if past expertise is not just neutralized but actively detrimental, at least for the technology revolution itself.
It does indicate something different about computing that offsets the benefits of expertise - the obvious factor is that the periodic revolutions in computing technology largely neutralize past expertise, putting old and young on a more equal footing than is usually the case. Some expertise carries over to the next revolution; some does not; and some is actively detrimental.
I like the example of postscript, the first product of Adobe, developed by two guys in their 40's. Of course, Microsoft, Apple, Google and Facebook were founded by young guys, so it does seem as if past expertise is not just neutralized but actively detrimental, at least for the technology revolution itself.