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We are asked not to lead with negativity on HN, but once in a while an article comes through that just screams out as requiring an exception. Asking people to

by natch 9y ago

We are asked not to lead with negativity on HN, but once in a while an article comes through that just screams out as requiring an exception. Asking people to reduce the noise level is straight up a horrible idea. Especially the obnoxious /noisy command and the nanny state thinking it encourages. I thrive and get in the zone when there is plenty of noise and varied conversation around me. I know that many people feel the same way. A quiet office is the worst for maintaining focus, as then any little conversation will stand out and catch my attention. And I say all this not as a loud person. Quite the opposite. I almost never use headphones; don't need to because the office is noisy enough to stay in a good coding zone. But having some social stigma about wearing them, that would be bad.

treehau5 9y ago
> Asking people to reduce the noise level is straight up a horrible idea. It's about as horrible as an idea as the open office was. Forcing everyone to be in a compromised position when they feel like they can't get work done in a distracting environment is a straight up horrible -- borderline inhumane idea. > and the nanny state thinking it encourages. About as nanny state as HR policies are these days with what you can and cannot say/browse/view/post on social media these days. It comes with working for a company I guess. No reason to object now. > I thrive and get in the zone when there is plenty of noise and varied conversation around me. Current knowledge of how our brains operate and evolved show that you are the statistical anomaly. To do deep work that requires concentration, you need quiet and minimal distractions.
valuearb 9y ago
I believe your anecdotal evidence is wrong. Studies have shown that developers are much more productive when they have quiet and private offices. In fact, studies have also shown that listening to music reduces productivity, with instrumental music the least bothersome. Our brains have highly developed communication abilities, language processing is a function that requires a significant part of our brains to work. Whether you are consciously aware of it or not, whenever you hear words, whether spoken or sung, your brain starts decoding them. That's reducing the amount of brain power you have remaining to work on your conscious tasks.
resf 9y ago
Perhaps air traffic control centres should start playing heavy metal to reduce accident rates.

by natch 9y ago

treehau5 9y ago

> Asking people to reduce the noise level is straight up a horrible idea. It's about as horrible as an idea as the open office was. Forcing everyone to be in a compromised position when they feel like they can't get work done in a distracting environment is a straight up horrible -- borderline inhumane idea. > and the nanny state thinking it encourages. About as nanny state as HR policies are these days with what you can and cannot say/browse/view/post on social media these days. It comes with working for a company I guess. No reason to object now. > I thrive and get in the zone when there is plenty of noise and varied conversation around me. Current knowledge of how our brains operate and evolved show that you are the statistical anomaly. To do deep work that requires concentration, you need quiet and minimal distractions.

valuearb 9y ago

I believe your anecdotal evidence is wrong. Studies have shown that developers are much more productive when they have quiet and private offices. In fact, studies have also shown that listening to music reduces productivity, with instrumental music the least bothersome. Our brains have highly developed communication abilities, language processing is a function that requires a significant part of our brains to work. Whether you are consciously aware of it or not, whenever you hear words, whether spoken or sung, your brain starts decoding them. That's reducing the amount of brain power you have remaining to work on your conscious tasks.

resf 9y ago

Perhaps air traffic control centres should start playing heavy metal to reduce accident rates.