I can barely stop laughing.

Point 1: Steve just recently posted the exact opposite article about how we need to spend MORE time working (phrased as "learning" however) on our own time in order to be successful.

Point 2: You post this about how we need to spend LESS time working and more with our families.

Point 3: I just spent the last 24 hours working on an Excel spreadsheet that would allow an HR employee to press a button and create an XML file so we can load new hires into our ERP system. Of that 24 hours, 3 was spent with the family, and 5 were spent sleeping.

Point 4: This effort was required because someone else was unable to complete their work on time, putting a major project at least 2 months behind schedule.

Point 5: I have another 4 or so major projects that are at risk because I can't spend enough time on them, but their go-live dates are later.

I agree with you, I feel the majority of people feel they have to work unreasonable hours because employers know so many people are out of work. Maybe one day the economy will turn around, and we can go back to the days when we got actual raises, and employers were terrified we might find out how underpaid and overworked we were! 😛

I am doing it mostly because I enjoy coding, and the work needs to be done. I still manage to spend more time with my family than almost anyone I know.