As you progress as a programmer you develop a keen sense on when to tune out things. For instance, using your list, knowing SQL thoroughly is far more valuable than whatever the "in thing" in NoSQL is these days. Furthermore, knowing a mature, well-supported framework like Spring, Django, etc is far more valuable than whatever the most fashionable, alpha-version framework is right now on HN. Sometimes it helps to put the HN glasses down, step back for a moment and take a breather.