To perform some activity, typically IT related, where performing the activity gives the performer almost sexual pleasure while doing it, yet nothing of any value or lasting value is produced. Mental masturbation is reasonably acceptable in the
privacy of the performer's
home, but not on their employer's
time. Mental masturbation may be the reason for overly complicated and
hard to understand solutions being implemented in one company, despite simpler and more commonly understood solutions being used at a number of other companies in the same industry.
To workmate, on Monday
morning, "Guess what I did over the
weekend! I rewrote
Linux in FORTAN! Cool huh!"
Workmate, unimpressed, "That sounds like mental masturbation to me."