I'm younger than the OP (going by the modem speed etc) but I've been experiencing the same apathy for a while (coupled with similar feelings about visual/inter

I'm younger than the OP (going by the modem speed etc) but I've been experiencing the same apathy for a while (coupled with similar feelings about visual/interactive design), but I'm slightly more comfortable with it now. Maybe I learned to deal with my own cynicism, but the turning point was probably when I started looking at my work (and computing) less as a goal/ultimate meaning and more as just another piece in peoples' lives; a way for them to accomplish non-tech goals.