I didn&#x27;t mean to suggest that people who research and side-project tech stuff are universally cannon fodder or have otherwise negative loser-y properties. I certainly don&#x27;t believe that as I do it myself...<p>What I meant to suggest is that there is a certain cynical undertone in an organization where &#x27;work is also my hobby&#x27; is a disproportionately desirable line item in an interview. I was attempting to project that attitude rhetorically. Given your offense, I think the point was made, but maybe too subtly... It is an offensive attitude. To me it implies something negative about how I (and my time) will be valued.<p>This isn&#x27;t to say anything about the (what I think is) natural &#x27;starting a new job&#x27; period, where one puts in extra hours to get up to speed on the technologies being used and the existing code-base. That&#x27;s part of hitting the ground running and being a good and productive hire.