It's just a hobby, it gives you some extra nice thing you wouldn't have that easily (for one, adblocking at DNS level with PiHole) but in the end is just a hobby.
None of this tooling is "heavy duty" by any means. If you just apply a little thought, you'll see how this saves time and effort.
For you, sure. For many others, it's just about doing something you like doing just because you like doing it. DJ'ing is my hobby, has been for 15+ years. I regularly spin sets a couple of times a week for at least 2, often up to 4 hours at one time, just for myself. I love doing it and feel so content and happy inside when I'm done. I feel even better during it, when everything clicks and I hit a really nice groove.
I have no need to share it with the world, have other people listen to it, or use my hobby to get gigs and make money with it. My sets are ephemeral, my own happy place, and always will be. I'm sure this is the case for many other people and their own hobbies.
Why can't people just enjoy doing a hobby simply because they like doing it? Why does there often need to be pressure from somewhere to do something more with a hobby?
Tapping your foot can't be considered a hobby right? It produces nothing tangible and involves no creativity.
The same can be said about a lot of other hobbies, regardless of what kind of process it might or might not be. Just doing it and being in it - reading and getting lost in a book, watching a movie and getting lost in it, going on a hike and getting lost in the woods (metaphorically, not actually lost, lol), writing code and getting lost in it, etc..
Ansible playbooks can be the same way! The point of hobbies for many people is just because they like to do it, nothing more, nothing less. There may also be other reasons, such as the creativity for me, but there are also times when I'm not feeling super creative and my set will just be an un-mixed playlist of music that I just want to get lost in in that moment... if that makes sense.
Some people might just like losing themselves in an Ansible playbook, or think they're fun for fun's sake or whatever reason. :)
Also, there is no requirement that a hobby has to produce something tangible or be creative. Watching television, drinking, people watching, and meditating could all be considered hobbies. Anything you do somewhat regularly to relax or for enjoyment, that isn't your job, is a hobby.
It doesn’t have to be creative nor worthwhile. Just something that you enjoy. Perhaps yours is trolling nerd forums about other peoples choice of hobbies? :P
Let me introduce you to the world of tap-dancing my friend.
Like the experience and newfound knowledge that Ben gained from this endeavor?
How dare someone experience pleasure! Especially from a hobby.
/s
This toxic "grind until you die" mindset needs to end.
Hobbies *do not* need to produce something to "show for it". The thing you are "producing" is happiness for yourself.