It is one thing to pursue something out of curiosity, and another to spend hours upon hours every day for weeks on the same thing.
I think your curiosity might give way to other obligations at some point which is why you have to be somewhat goal oriented.
Worth noting that I have spent hours pursuing a hobby as a kid: programming. And I think that is probably true of many of the readers here.
I think the computer lends itself to this in a weird -- perhaps unique -- manner. The act of programming, or writing, is like a video game in that you get this reward just for the act. And it is easier to spend hours for days for weeks programming (or writing) than say mulling over other matters.
One trick for turning a task you cannot spend time on into a task you can spend time on is to turn it into an activity. This is why mathematicians have to write out their equations and diagrams when they're mulling plates.
I think your curiosity might give way to other obligations at some point which is why you have to be somewhat goal oriented.
Worth noting that I have spent hours pursuing a hobby as a kid: programming. And I think that is probably true of many of the readers here.
I think the computer lends itself to this in a weird -- perhaps unique -- manner. The act of programming, or writing, is like a video game in that you get this reward just for the act. And it is easier to spend hours for days for weeks programming (or writing) than say mulling over other matters.
One trick for turning a task you cannot spend time on into a task you can spend time on is to turn it into an activity. This is why mathematicians have to write out their equations and diagrams when they're mulling plates.