Do that if you want to, but I worry that people feel like they should be doing this because that is what "everyone else is doing" or that you need to because ot

Do that if you want to, but I worry that people feel like they should be doing this because that is what "everyone else is doing" or that you need to because otherwise you wont get a job without revenue-generating side projects etc. We're setting expectations for and normalising something which is not normal IMHO. By all means do side projects if you want, but don't feel compelled.