Yeah. Because the only two things one can do in life is to either spend 15 years digging out a basement with miniature equipment, which he seems to be only 1/2 way through, or watch the tube high off his a$$. I guess an alternative would be doing a 53 page blog on the subject.
BFD ... a not terribly practical hobby is a whole lot better than drunken TV watching.
I would advise not to over-think it.
This is not a practical way to dig a basement. Nobody suggested it was, did they?
It's a hobby. It's fun. At least, he's enjoying it. I suggest that if he's not harming anybody, or neglecting his duties as husband (?) and father (?), then it's great.
It's certainly not insane.