Addicted to devices or indentured to work, is that the only two choices?

One of my favorite movies HEAT has a scene where Vincent Hanna (Robert Deniro) is trying to convince one of his long time associates, Michael Cheritto, to back out of a job and retire. The score isnt worth it considering the heat (the police) involved. Cheritto replies "Well ya know for me, the action is the juice." meaning the payoff for him isnt the reason he does the job, the adrenaline, the action, is the reason he's addicted to robbing people. I've thought alot about that line over the years and it rings true for me and my relationship with my job and my employer.

 The New York Times article "Silicon Valley Worries About Addiction To Devices" suggests we are addicted to the rapid reward we get from devices and the interaction much like people are addicted to the Internet, video games, sex, gambling, drugs, etc. I can see this point of view and there is some truth to it. How else could you explain the record profits of folks like Apple and others. Tech junkies get off on tech and I am certainly one of them. But thats not the whole point.

 The Atlantic countered the NY Times article with a cheeky but point on retort that we're not addicted to our devices as much as we are slaves to our employers and our jobs. There's a pale indictment of big business behind all of this BUT the real point is that we collectively feel like slaves to our jobs because it allows the for a 24/7 work schedule. Again, there are times when work interferes with life and there's always the pressure to keep up with the sycophantic few who try to impress with the post 11p emails. But again, thats not the whole point.

 This brings me back to my initial discussion of HEAT in that I am very much like Michael Cherrito. I dont go to work for the paycheck, I am not addicted to my devices because of some dopamine receptor or tyrannical employer. I go to work because I get off on the action and I always have (and hopefully always will). My vocation is my avocation. My job allows me to create. It delivers the creative tension between whats possible and impossible. Its the Spartan agoge and the Athenian forum all rolled into one. I work with super smart and motivated people. I believe we collectively share a passion/addiction for making a difference, for doing something awesome and worthy of my time on earth.

 And I believe a great many people in technology are just like me, they get off on the job for the same reasons I describe. We have strong families and love our children, we enjoy our hobbies and our time off. We have some semblance of work/life balance although my wife will occasionally disagree. I feel fortunate to work in times like this. I enjoy the current technology zeitgeist. Its empowered me rather than enslaved me.