I believe this is more of a problem in the US than elsewhere, although there is some office in every city where this is the culture (like a game of chicken over who will get up to leave first, that goes on beyond 8pm every evening.)
I like to imagine the whole of life as a not-for-profit business; where if you can cover your (living) costs, you've won, and you don't need to work any harder. If you can cover those costs in 2 days per week, great; three days for "side" projects and fun, and two days for relaxing. If you need to save up for a new toy, just work an extra day for a month.
This especially makes sense for programmers, who have well-paid telecommutable desk jobs and are in a position to request pro-rata work - "You want to give me a 20% pay rise? great, I'll keep the same salary and work 4 days, thanks."
I like to imagine the whole of life as a not-for-profit business; where if you can cover your (living) costs, you've won, and you don't need to work any harder. If you can cover those costs in 2 days per week, great; three days for "side" projects and fun, and two days for relaxing. If you need to save up for a new toy, just work an extra day for a month.
This especially makes sense for programmers, who have well-paid telecommutable desk jobs and are in a position to request pro-rata work - "You want to give me a 20% pay rise? great, I'll keep the same salary and work 4 days, thanks."