He's talking about the fact that independent workers (MicroISVs, startups, freelancers, web workers, etc) are, unlike normal salaried workers, are stealing from

He's talking about the fact that independent workers (MicroISVs, startups, freelancers, web workers, etc) are, unlike normal salaried workers, are stealing from ourselves when we goof off a lot. Needless self distraction is like stealing money from yourself. On the salary side of the fence, you're increasingly seeing people who are tasked with a fixed list of stuff to do rather than punching a clock for an even 40 hours a week. In this setting, needless self-distraction is like stealing free time from yourself. Of course, the definition of "needless self distraction" is sticky. But no matter how you define it, you probably do it too much (and so do I!).