I think you could easily frame it either way. Which framing works best depends on the context. When I'm having fun, or trying to learn, exploring abstractions

I think you could easily frame it either way. Which framing works best depends on the context. When I'm having fun, or trying to learn, exploring abstractions is deeply edifying. When I'm on the clock, though, any time I spend on "expanding the program's power" beyond the minimum necessary to get the job done is wasteful.