That's not what I am saying. The parent post makes it sound like, if a developer doesn't have a deadline he will just work on a single feature forever. I am saying that most developers intrinsically want to complete features to move on to new stuff. If they are in a good environment, arbitary deadlines are not required.
When I pick up a feature, I know roughly how long it will take and I will try to finish it within that time. I don't need an arbitary deadline from management.
You've formed your own arbitrary deadline right there, because what I was trying to say with my admittedly brief and snarky comment is that a feature being "done" is subjective.
You may have terrific business sense, and more importantly, one that is aligned with your stakeholders. That doesn't mean any other developer does. Agreeing on a deadline in many cases of a healthy team practice.
When I pick up a feature, I know roughly how long it will take and I will try to finish it within that time. I don't need an arbitary deadline from management.