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> Talking about stuff is pointless unless it leads to some action. True, but why do people do it so much? I think it's because meetings are indulgent in severa

> Talking about stuff is pointless unless it leads to some action. True, but why do people do it so much? I think it's because meetings are indulgent in several ways: usually you aren't working hard in a meeting, you interact with people you (usually) like, and the organizer gets to feel busy and command attention. I used to work as an auditor (no idea why they let me) and I feel like we had way more meetings than necessary, and I sort of feel like it was because people were lonely. I could be totally wrong, but I remember concluding that after two years of frequent, pointless meetings. That's why I like standing up during a meeting (when reasonable), because it mitigates forces that lead toward pointlessness.

peterlk 10y ago
> I think it's because meetings are indulgent Totally agree. If you fill your day with meetings, you can claim that you were working hard because you were busy. I, and others I have worked with have fallen into this trap. In a culture of overwork and burnout-humblebragging, filling time with meetings is a way to increase status because, as you say; you're commanding attention of those around you, creating flurries of activity, and "working hard". I am unconvinced that it is because people feel lonely, but this may not be far off. In high stress environments, meetings can be a way to push the stress of whatever you're dealing with into a time box where you can offload it onto other people. This can be helpful in coping with stress.
steverb 10y ago
Not all meetings are for deciding on action items. Sometimes you have to meet so that everyone is exposed to the same information at the same time. Sometimes, you meet to decide action items, even if everyone already knows what the action items are, so that people know that their input was factored into the action item. And yes, sometimes you have meetings so you can waste time/spread the blame/look busy.
- discreditable 10y ago
  > so that everyone is exposed to the same information at the same time Which is usually my least favorite meeting—the one that should have been an email.
  - ams6110 10y ago
    In my experience people don't read bulk email. At least not closely. They might not pay attention in a meeting either, but it's more likely especially if you discourage use of electronic devices.
davidgerard 10y ago
The reason for meetings: even though you can email everyone in five minutes with a completely clear two paragraphs of what needs done ... they won't do it unless you sit there for half an hour telling them over a table. This is infuriating and it's also true. (my job: sysadmin.)

peterlk 10y ago

> I think it's because meetings are indulgent Totally agree. If you fill your day with meetings, you can claim that you were working hard because you were busy. I, and others I have worked with have fallen into this trap. In a culture of overwork and burnout-humblebragging, filling time with meetings is a way to increase status because, as you say; you're commanding attention of those around you, creating flurries of activity, and "working hard". I am unconvinced that it is because people feel lonely, but this may not be far off. In high stress environments, meetings can be a way to push the stress of whatever you're dealing with into a time box where you can offload it onto other people. This can be helpful in coping with stress.

steverb 10y ago

Not all meetings are for deciding on action items. Sometimes you have to meet so that everyone is exposed to the same information at the same time. Sometimes, you meet to decide action items, even if everyone already knows what the action items are, so that people know that their input was factored into the action item. And yes, sometimes you have meetings so you can waste time/spread the blame/look busy.

discreditable 10y ago
> so that everyone is exposed to the same information at the same time Which is usually my least favorite meeting—the one that should have been an email.
- ams6110 10y ago
  In my experience people don't read bulk email. At least not closely. They might not pay attention in a meeting either, but it's more likely especially if you discourage use of electronic devices.

davidgerard 10y ago

The reason for meetings: even though you can email everyone in five minutes with a completely clear two paragraphs of what needs done ... they won't do it unless you sit there for half an hour telling them over a table. This is infuriating and it's also true. (my job: sysadmin.)