The retort's suggestion to evaluate the amount of time spent on a task is entirely valid, however it is missing the larger point that Nikhil was trying to make. His essay expressed his embarrassment at having devoted so much time to this task, and the suggestion that the time should have been used more efficiently can come off as unsympathetic. Yes, there are ways to reflect on the experience and use it to become a more efficient worker, but should efficiency always be the main priority? Don't we all deserve to take some time to enjoy our successes and appreciate our hard work every once in a while? Efficiency doesn't always have to be the end goal.