Yet another interesting article in the New York Times science section, this one on wasting time at work.  Some research shows that a lot of problem solving and thinking through problems actually goes on subconsciously.  A lot of times you are actually better off surfing the web or relaxing than trying to pound your head against some problem.  You just need to take some time away from the problem so your subconscious can figure it out.  So time spent surfing the web or napping or playing foosball can actually be productive.  If you are a “knowledge worker” then you’re really working subconsciously all the time and perhaps we shouldn’t worry as much about how much time we spent physically working.  Personally, I can’t count how many times I have had some frustrating problem that I can’t figure out, and then I go home to sleep and wake up in the morning with the solution in my head.  I think this research means that work and school should have more time for napping.