[delluminatus]

Like what? If you're learning a new technology, and you also happen to have a great helpful idea that you want to implement, that's fine, but usually you just want to implement something, so you pick up an idea and roll with it even if it doesn't benefit mankind.

I think people overestimate the number of useful project ideas floating around which don't require unusual expertise. Some "starter projects" might benefit mankind, but certainly they can't be expected to do so.