HN user
The fact that it happened in ancient times and worked doesn't mean that it's fine to replicate. I know that people who work in start-ups tend to be of younger age because companies want them almost exclusively for themselves and not for their girlfriend/potential wife/family but acceptable forms of discrimination are still forms of discrimination.
I'm currently 33 and I'm planning on getting a degree one day, when I have my feet on the ground and my wallet has enough disposable income to afford it.
That feeling you described is also very familiar to me: After starting a MOOC I caught myself wandering back in the problem I was trying to tackle when in the bus or train.
It's scary that we also share the "lack of math skills" but I'm planning on doing something about it. Maybe Khanacademy is a good start.