One may be puzzled as to why would any of their peers bother with things like programming.

Why not focus only on "general cool stuff"? Why not only attend small theater performances, hang out downtown with your bohemian (yet very succesful) friends, or at the very minimum watch the L-Word (L-koodi)?

Let me explain why.

Some studies indicate that watching TV creates a predisposition to developing Alzheimer's disease. On the other hand, active brain use, such as doing crossword puzzles or programming, promote the prevention of this unfortunate illness (USA Today, 2001).

There are an estimated 24 million people with dementia worldwide. By 2040, it is projected that this figure will have increased to 81 million (Ferri et al, 2005).

Worldwide, there is a new case every seven seconds (Ferri et al, 2005).

I don't intend to be one of them. Hence, the occasional coding project - sometimes for no money, and always for no extra "coolness"!

So, instead of watching the L-Word, one can and SHOULD dedicate at least some of their spare time to crossword puzzles, some Actionscript or, hell, even Procedural C! It only makes sense, people.

Sources:

Ferri et al
Global prevalence of dementia: a Delphi consensus study. The Lancet 366, 2112-2117 (2005)

USA Today
Study: Hobbies can help slow Alzheimer's
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2001-03-05-alzheimers-hobbies.htm