It's funny - the reality is that it depends on the organization. It's not lost on me that everyone wants to hear about your side projects from a technical and general interest perspective. It serves many companies as a reasonable proxy for life long learning, and checking up on a passion.
At the same time, several of those companies would be mortified that you had, or continued yours once employed there.
At the same time, several of those companies would be mortified that you had, or continued yours once employed there.