In a light-hearted opinion column for the Daily Mail, writer Jonathan Brocklebank reacts to newly published research suggesting that the human brain reaches its peak performance in late middle age, rather than in youth. Aged between 55 and 60 himself, Brocklebank playfully embraces the findings as validation that he is currently at the "apex of psychological readiness" and enjoying the "golden age" of his mind.

The research he cites acknowledges that "fluid intelligence" peaks around age 20 and that brain volume begins declining in one's early 30s. However, it argues that these losses in raw processing power are outweighed by gains that come with age, including life experience, emotional stability, better decision-making, financial literacy and a broader vocabulary. Brocklebank adopts a mock-boastful tone throughout, jokingly warning younger readers against challenging him to "mind games".