I actually really like this hypothesis. There is definitely a distinction between long-form content and short-form content, and programming certainly lies in the former.

That's not to say that short-form content doesn't have its place, I'm pretty sure I would learn less if I didn't browse Reddit or HN during lunchtime, and for some reason I feel like reading a book wouldn't fit in that 15 - 30 minute period. But it's still a period I can put to use.