Ask HN: Why aren't you coding?

... Final Fantasy XIV

I am paid to solve problems, programming is one part of that, thinking about the problem and the code is a prerequisite to programming. Sometimes one needs to step back and let things sink in rather than continuous action (programming)... while doing that you can even play games, I'll admit some activities are better than others for the purpose of de-focusing your subconscious - but sometimes you also just need a short mental break, that's often when I go to HN.

For the same reason our job's don't stop when we go home (or turn off slack) either, we are essentially paid to think and our brains do not care about the arbitrary thresholds set by 9-5. I fully realise how much someone is actually able to practice this has more to do with the organisation they work for appreciating the difference between cognitive and manual work.

Read-only friday

"because I'm compiling the kernel for the 8th time, waiting for my manager to ask me what I'm busy with so he'll know I do a job he can't. Witch kept me hired so far" ( not from me, yet true )

Stack Overflow.