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If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Someone can strongly think "I don't want to interact with others via webcam and screens all day" wit

If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Someone can strongly think "I don't want to interact with others via webcam and screens all day" without having ulterior motives.

lcam84 6y ago
I agree with you, remote work has many problems and one of them is the possibility to become tiresome the interactions at a distance. It can however have several ecological advantages, and if well managed it can be a way to strengthen family and community ties. My point is that although it is more efficient, it is not as productive as putting everyone to work in big cities. It doesn't produce traffic, maybe people feel less need to buy cars, it doesn't generate so much real estate speculation, etc.
- ikeyany 6y ago
  We should certainly scrutinize certain industries more than others, such as the auto industry or those who otherwise benefit from having the masses commutes.
toomuchtodo 6y ago
Emails and conference calls work just fine, no videoconf required. Unless you absolutely need to be on video, don't, it's just unnecessary stress. If your org requires you be on video constantly for every call, leave for a better org when you can if they're unable to budge on unreasonable requirements.
- dmoy 6y ago
  I read GP's statement as the exact opposite: Some people will prefer more contact, especially face-to-face contact. Not less, as in no video. But now I don't know which interpretation is what they meant.
  - deleted 6y ago
    [deleted]
  - ghaff 6y ago
    We don't require video but it's the norm with most of the groups I communicate with--especially with smaller calls. If I'm on a large group call that I'm sort of half paying attention to in case there's something I should know about, I'll just turn my webcam off. But for calls I'm actively participating in, it is more engaging if people are on video. I'm not sure why we'd want to have less engagement especially at a time when there aren't F2F meetings. (And, yes, it does force you to be a bit more present than an audio call does. But that's sort of the point.)
    - toomuchtodo 6y ago
      > I'm not sure why we'd want to have less engagement especially at a time when there aren't F2F meetings. More engagement doesn't necessarily translate into more value. For example, I can focus more on the task at hand if I’m not having to worry about everyone judging my video feed. Do you need to see me if I’m still adequately communicating? Cognitive load is a thing. https://www.google.com/search?q=zoom+fatigue https://www.google.com/search?q=zoom+fatigue
      - ghaff 6y ago
        Personally, I'm not convinced things would be any better if I were on audio calls all day--although it would let me tune out more. But, at that point, maybe I just shouldn't be in those meetings if I'm just treating them as background noise. I admit that I'm more accustomed to the video chat thing than many. I work for a heavily remote global company and I'm very rarely in an office (even though I'm officially associated with one).
        toomuchtodo 6y ago
        I appreciate your perspective.
        6y ago
- ikeyany 6y ago
  My point was more about having to use technology at all. A lot of people enjoy interacting in person with those they work with.

If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Someone can strongly think "I don't want to interact with others via webcam and screens all day" without having ulterior motives.

lcam84 6y ago

I agree with you, remote work has many problems and one of them is the possibility to become tiresome the interactions at a distance. It can however have several ecological advantages, and if well managed it can be a way to strengthen family and community ties. My point is that although it is more efficient, it is not as productive as putting everyone to work in big cities. It doesn't produce traffic, maybe people feel less need to buy cars, it doesn't generate so much real estate speculation, etc.

ikeyany 6y ago
We should certainly scrutinize certain industries more than others, such as the auto industry or those who otherwise benefit from having the masses commutes.

toomuchtodo 6y ago

Emails and conference calls work just fine, no videoconf required. Unless you absolutely need to be on video, don't, it's just unnecessary stress. If your org requires you be on video constantly for every call, leave for a better org when you can if they're unable to budge on unreasonable requirements.

dmoy 6y ago
I read GP's statement as the exact opposite: Some people will prefer more contact, especially face-to-face contact. Not less, as in no video. But now I don't know which interpretation is what they meant.
- deleted 6y ago
  [deleted]
- ghaff 6y ago
  We don't require video but it's the norm with most of the groups I communicate with--especially with smaller calls. If I'm on a large group call that I'm sort of half paying attention to in case there's something I should know about, I'll just turn my webcam off. But for calls I'm actively participating in, it is more engaging if people are on video. I'm not sure why we'd want to have less engagement especially at a time when there aren't F2F meetings. (And, yes, it does force you to be a bit more present than an audio call does. But that's sort of the point.)
  - toomuchtodo 6y ago
    > I'm not sure why we'd want to have less engagement especially at a time when there aren't F2F meetings. More engagement doesn't necessarily translate into more value. For example, I can focus more on the task at hand if I’m not having to worry about everyone judging my video feed. Do you need to see me if I’m still adequately communicating? Cognitive load is a thing. https://www.google.com/search?q=zoom+fatigue https://www.google.com/search?q=zoom+fatigue
    - ghaff 6y ago
      Personally, I'm not convinced things would be any better if I were on audio calls all day--although it would let me tune out more. But, at that point, maybe I just shouldn't be in those meetings if I'm just treating them as background noise. I admit that I'm more accustomed to the video chat thing than many. I work for a heavily remote global company and I'm very rarely in an office (even though I'm officially associated with one).
      - toomuchtodo 6y ago
        I appreciate your perspective.
      - 6y ago
ikeyany 6y ago
My point was more about having to use technology at all. A lot of people enjoy interacting in person with those they work with.