I agree with you: the playful exploration of an idea space can lead to really creative solutions. However, I think what we need to focus on is hacking at the ap

I agree with you: the playful exploration of an idea space can lead to really creative solutions. However, I think what we need to focus on is hacking at the appropriate level. For example, trying to iterate on regexen to see how well they validate credit cards on your shopping cart form is at a different level to say, trying out a new database system. The former can be undertaken in a desultory way more easily than the latter--and therein lies the trap. It's easy to generate a false sense of progress, seeing code being output and test cases passing, all the while without really understanding or learning anything about the code or the problem at all. Precision understanding of the mechanics of coding, on the other hand, free you to concentrate on higher problems. You don't need to play whack-a-mole with locks and semaphores to eliminate race conditions, and can focus on developing that revolutionary game.