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>doing so won’t magically solve economic and spatial inequality, because both are deeply rooted in the very nature of the geographically clustered and concentra

>doing so won’t magically solve economic and spatial inequality, because both are deeply rooted in the very nature of the geographically clustered and concentrated knowledge economy. This is one of the great paradoxes to me. The knowledge economy would seem to the one sector that could entirely function on remote work. Instead, workers are concentrated in a few cities (SF, Silicon Valley, NYC, Seattle) and drive up the housing costs and prices in general exacerbating inequality. The average non-tech worker in these cities has trouble with housing and daycare due to these tech workers driving up the costs. One of the best way tech companies could address inequality would be to foster a culture of remote work. This would ease up on the housing crisis. Well paid tech workers could go to other parts of the country/world where they would be a benefit to the local economy and culture instead of a harm because they would be spread out.

cortesoft 8y ago
There are a few problems with this. One, lots of people want to work in physical proximity to their coworkers. I know I am one of those people; I could work remote, but I enjoy the social aspect of working in an office. Second, part of the appeal of living in one of these expensive cities is that the amenities are also nice. When you cluster a lot of wealthy people together, the public services get better, there are more entertainment options, etc. Being a wealthy person in a cheaper part of the country might sound nice and have its perks, but you are going to find fewer places to spend the money you have. Third, people like to live with people in their same class. We really hate talking about class in the US, but it is there nonetheless. It is not easy to be a well off tech worker when the people in your social circle are blue collar workers struggling to make ends meet.
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]
- rifung 8y ago
  > Third, people like to live with people in their same class. We really hate talking about class in the US, but it is there nonetheless. It is not easy to be a well off tech worker when the people in your social circle are blue collar workers struggling to make ends meet. I don't know if I agree with that. I am a low level engineer but still consider myself fairly privileged. It makes me really happy when I'm able to help my friends buy something they couldn't otherwise afford. Yes it pains me to see they are struggling but I am happy knowing I can help them if they ever need it and it gives me a reason to keep working. I also have friends who are significantly more well off than I am. In my opinion, they don't understand the value of money well. Personally I think it's dangerous to put yourself in a position where you can just forget that there are other people who are genuinely struggling as it can distort your perception of money.
- PHGamer 8y ago
  naw thats not the problem. the problem is most tech companies hate remote. its always been that way.
- Apocryphon 8y ago
  > When you cluster a lot of wealthy people together, the public services get better That doesn't seem to be happening in the Bay Area or in Seattle at all.
- selimthegrim 8y ago
  Because I’m sure no one buys a house in Pawtucket or Providence and commutes to Boston.
- souprock 8y ago
  I find it odd that so few seem to choose the perks of being a wealthy person in a cheaper part of the country. Depending on your idea of wealthy... You could get a tennis court, a dock with a boat, horses, and a shooting range. You could get a polo field, yacht, a helipad, and a helicopter. You could get a Formula One track, a large yacht (with pool, helipad, submarine), a private airport for large jets, and a nice large jet. Whatever the wealth level, you get more of the above in the cheaper parts of the country.
fwip 8y ago
Everyone in the area benefits if some companies allow workers to go remote. It's less clear that the companies that allow remote workers immediately benefit. It's one of those situations where you hope all your neighbors do it, so you don't have to.

cortesoft 8y ago

There are a few problems with this. One, lots of people want to work in physical proximity to their coworkers. I know I am one of those people; I could work remote, but I enjoy the social aspect of working in an office. Second, part of the appeal of living in one of these expensive cities is that the amenities are also nice. When you cluster a lot of wealthy people together, the public services get better, there are more entertainment options, etc. Being a wealthy person in a cheaper part of the country might sound nice and have its perks, but you are going to find fewer places to spend the money you have. Third, people like to live with people in their same class. We really hate talking about class in the US, but it is there nonetheless. It is not easy to be a well off tech worker when the people in your social circle are blue collar workers struggling to make ends meet.

deleted 8y ago
[deleted]
rifung 8y ago
> Third, people like to live with people in their same class. We really hate talking about class in the US, but it is there nonetheless. It is not easy to be a well off tech worker when the people in your social circle are blue collar workers struggling to make ends meet. I don't know if I agree with that. I am a low level engineer but still consider myself fairly privileged. It makes me really happy when I'm able to help my friends buy something they couldn't otherwise afford. Yes it pains me to see they are struggling but I am happy knowing I can help them if they ever need it and it gives me a reason to keep working. I also have friends who are significantly more well off than I am. In my opinion, they don't understand the value of money well. Personally I think it's dangerous to put yourself in a position where you can just forget that there are other people who are genuinely struggling as it can distort your perception of money.
PHGamer 8y ago
naw thats not the problem. the problem is most tech companies hate remote. its always been that way.
Apocryphon 8y ago
> When you cluster a lot of wealthy people together, the public services get better That doesn't seem to be happening in the Bay Area or in Seattle at all.
selimthegrim 8y ago
Because I’m sure no one buys a house in Pawtucket or Providence and commutes to Boston.
souprock 8y ago
I find it odd that so few seem to choose the perks of being a wealthy person in a cheaper part of the country. Depending on your idea of wealthy... You could get a tennis court, a dock with a boat, horses, and a shooting range. You could get a polo field, yacht, a helipad, and a helicopter. You could get a Formula One track, a large yacht (with pool, helipad, submarine), a private airport for large jets, and a nice large jet. Whatever the wealth level, you get more of the above in the cheaper parts of the country.

fwip 8y ago

Everyone in the area benefits if some companies allow workers to go remote. It's less clear that the companies that allow remote workers immediately benefit. It's one of those situations where you hope all your neighbors do it, so you don't have to.