This is something I try to be careful of. Programming takes time, which is an opportunity cost as we get older. If I was well off, I would love to relax my mind on projects not going anywhere.

However until that point, I try to do something that I feel has some value (or hope will one day).

That said, I do agree with the general premise that work is where we spend to make money and we should relax in our spare time. The criteria for me is that I should enjoy what I’m doing and it should have some small chance of success. But as long as I enjoy it, then I’ll be okay. Better to do a project with 2% chance of success that I enjoy than one of 50% chance of success that I feel like a chore. Life’s too short.

However I would not be able to actively do a project with zero chance of any value (learning can be achieved through many ways, so I don’t count that as value on the outset, only as justification for the time spent afterwards). I rather go for a walk then. There are only a few hours a day where I have the energy to code, it’s too precious to waste.

(ps sorry for the over use of first person - just wanted to share my perspective)