[TheTarquin]

Consider how much real achievement we would see if all the motivated hackers put down WoW and started up their development environment of choice.

But there's a lot of truth to the fact that human beings need recreation. We need down-time when we're not building, making, doing, etc. There's a lot of engineers who, if they put down WoW and fired up Eclipse would just stare at the screen for hours wondering what to build next. Or they'd disappear into an equally "unproductive" passed time like email, solitaire, or social news forums like this one.

[gridspy]

That is true. However, you need to choose recreational activities carefully - hopefully ones that will further your goals. Also, choose activities that are non-addictive (and recognise the addictive elements in those you do choose) so you can remove them from your life when they are no longer useful.

I know that WoW is fun, or EVE online more so (for me) but I stay well clear because I know that way lies madness.

HN, Twitter and even Google Analytics are relaxing for me, and all borderline addictive. They also have benefits to my business.

Just make concious choices about how you relax and then you are on a good path.