I agree, and I think the ramp up time plus the intoxication of total absorbtion almost mandates some degree of obsessiveness that makes programmers more similar to artists than other types of engineers - there has to be peace and quiet and you have to lock into the problem and once you are locked in it is difficult and unpleasant to disengaged.
I'm not quite sure about the long-term solution. Normal family life has never been something that many artists are capable of (i.e. Van Gogh), and perhaps companies need to be more accommodating of employees that work two 10-16hrs bursts a week, rather than the normal 9-5.
Personally, I am in the "at risk" category for leaving the industry for this reason -- it is both burn out and lack of interest. I don't know, I still think there is some great code left in me, but it needs more challenging problems then I am facing at present.
I'm not quite sure about the long-term solution. Normal family life has never been something that many artists are capable of (i.e. Van Gogh), and perhaps companies need to be more accommodating of employees that work two 10-16hrs bursts a week, rather than the normal 9-5.
Personally, I am in the "at risk" category for leaving the industry for this reason -- it is both burn out and lack of interest. I don't know, I still think there is some great code left in me, but it needs more challenging problems then I am facing at present.