In a message dated 12/14/98 11:36:14 AM, hanson@econ.berkeley.edu wrote:
>Older students
>seem less likely to mold themselves to fit the standard personality and
>style of their discipline, and seem less likely to internalize the
>discipline's ideas of what the interesting questions are. While these
>are seen as negatives in junior people, they become "creativity" and
>other positives in more senior people.
Perhaps greater experience helps. I have had a taste for the unusual idea all my life but I think that over a decade in the "real world" gives me a better idea of when the usual doesn't work (and when it does) and hence a better idea of when the unusual is more promising (or less). I also think I have a better grip on what I can do and am more able to plot a path to accomplish an objective.