upvote, because while i don't know if it's ethical or not either, that's my situation, although i didn't recognize it as such when i first started.

i've used the "variable workload," justification before (at the suggestion of a manager, in fact), but i think an even better justification is that i've taken a major salary cut compared to my previous cubical-oriented, corporate job. also, i try to spend the extra time developing skills that, while not necessary this week or month, might be useful later.

there was a post a day or two ago about "money is freedom," and while i guess that's true, freedom from money can also be freedom.. or something. i dunno, my reasoning is probably flawed, but i feel like i'm learning a lot, eating well, and pretty alright with my job at the moment. a lot of the original post seems like post-PhD(tum) angst to me.