I am not sure anyone was advocating a throw in the towel do what you want response. Myself I was suggesting more a what does your DS think is reasonable (not maybe totally what he wants but a reasonable compromise) - IMO ownership e.g of the limit really works. I wasn't that much of a gamer but I used to spend alot of time doing graphics/painting on computer in addition to some games. For me a set time I would have hated as it isn't as simple as just playing for an hour then finishing (or it didn't used to be) so I would happily trade say an extra 20 mins one day and have it taken off the next. Total time is the same but having ownership of when to take it. For me is the same principal of not having set times for any activity but breaking at appropriate points e.g. at end of a show, at end of a game etc. etc.

I also agree that there is no point in staying up for sake of it, just like there is no point in staying up till 8:00 if you are tired at 7:00 - and for me that is what a 'bedtime' encourages, ignoring the signals by focusing on set times.

Of course we are all shaped by those around us but my experiences are the opposite in that those who were allowed less freedom/ownership then went off the rails when they were left to their own devices.