sorry if I'm rambling, but I find this a very interesting topic... not just because I indulge in this, but because it's becoming more and more common and I can only see it as self destructive. What good is a creative outlet that forces you into burnout? Why does the hacker mindset look for ways to cheat around the obviously unsustainable lifestyle? Is it pride? being a perfectionist? simple delusion that the system is geared to reward those that over-invest their energy?

I can see myself falling off a damn rocky road any day now, and it's got me thinking: why was it that I couldn't get to the same place using an easier route? Money? is that it, does it all boil down to simple investment? most hackers aren't backed by anything more than their determination and a vision that simply must be realised .... but that's Obsession!?

/me stops having a mini-breakdown