[limist]

<snip> Interviewer: Would you still study computers whether or not it had any commercial value?

Knuth: Thank you for asking that question. I have always been attracted to computer science because it involves beautiful patterns, rather like the way dancers enjoy choreography, and because questions such as "What can be computed efficiently?" are profoundly interesting and challenging. </snip>

The words and perspective of a master. His description of his work habits (no email, uninterrupted focus) is congruent with one who embodies the Tao of Programming. :)