So, I think there is kind of a core disagreement here: either you believe that you can do creative work with your idle cycles, or you believe that you require l

So, I think there is kind of a core disagreement here: either you believe that you can do creative work with your idle cycles, or you believe that you require large blocks of unfettered time to do it. I suggest that both are true, though one or the other may be a bit more efficient for a given situation. What I dislike is this semi-unspoken assertion by academics that, unless you have the long hours of "freedom" provided only within the ivory tower, people in industry cannot be creative or do useful research. It's insulting to everyone who has made continual progress for mankind while working normal jobs.