[donkeyhaut]

People lose interest in programming as it is practiced commercially - highly constrained, deadline driven, curiosity-thwarting, having our talents harnessed and pimped out to some imagined consumer, etc. At least I did.

Since retiring from this profession, I have enjoyed a rebirth of the original fascination I had with programming doing exactly what I want and following where it leads. To me this is a 100% consuming and joyous activity.

To those who conclude this is unattainable in the real world of business - perhaps what you love is making money, not programming?