above 50 years old and still programming

[dilettante]

The right place to start that second curve is at a first intersection where there is time, as well as the resources and energy, to get the new curve through its initial explorations and floundering before the first curve begins to dip downward (second intersection).

Been there, failed to do that. At least I got out of Dodge and had a decent pension to fall back on at 55.