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Could you elaborate more on why you would dislike using this to be "in the office"? Thanks for the feedback, this is very helpful.

nend 6y ago
I had to think about it a bit, but I think in the end it's probably due to a couple bad experiences at startups. There's a lot of toxic, authoritarian company cultures out there that hide behind the idea that in order to be a good coworker you need to upbeat, peppy, and thrilled to be working at all times. It seems to go hand in hand with the (usually toxic and exploitative) work hard/play hard mentality. If I were required to use this at work, I would instantly view it as a yellow/red flag that management is starting to get heavy handed about team culture, and I would probably start resenting it. My ideal company culture is pretty minimal at this point: friendly people, a healthy work/life balance, and coworkers who are open to/good at learning - because that's what I strive for myself. I'm probably coming off as a curmudgeon, and like I said maybe it's just due to some bad associations that come to mind, but this seems like it's starting down the path of "look how much fun our employees have at work!" My $.02. That being said I wish you luck, and it seems like a neat option for more social settings.
- corytheboyd 6y ago
  I second this, if you’re looking for feedback specifically on why it may not be welcome “in the office” That being said, I love the concept and think it can make for some interesting online social events!
- eambutu 6y ago
  Thanks for the really thoughtful feedback. I definitely hear this, and I think it would be crazy for us to think that we can build a single tool that will be useful across all ranges of team dynamics and culture. FWIW, just like how companies can have different cultures around their physical spaces, they could have different practices/expectations set around the virtual space. For example, if there is now an expectation for people to be in the Gather office all the time, that seems like an issue with the company (and you could expect them to do other unpleasant things like, expect you to respond to Slack messages at 10 PM). Another q would be: under the current paradigm, are you enjoying work from home more than physical offices? One of our goals here is to replicate the physical ones, so maybe this is just not directionally correct for you. I also admit that I haven't had any of the particular experiences mention, so maybe I'm talking out of my sphere of knowledge here.
  - nend 6y ago
    >FWIW, just like how companies can have different cultures around their physical spaces, they could have different practices/expectations set around the virtual space. That's true, and it's not like I would quit my job if my team started using this, so maybe I would come around and appreciate it more. But initial gut reaction brings negative thoughts. >Another q would be: under the current paradigm, are you enjoying work from home more than physical offices? There are pros and cons for sure. I actually just transferred to a wfh permanent employee (although last time I was in an office was April), which I see as a net positive mostly due to how much time I save not commuting.

nend 6y ago

I had to think about it a bit, but I think in the end it's probably due to a couple bad experiences at startups. There's a lot of toxic, authoritarian company cultures out there that hide behind the idea that in order to be a good coworker you need to upbeat, peppy, and thrilled to be working at all times. It seems to go hand in hand with the (usually toxic and exploitative) work hard/play hard mentality. If I were required to use this at work, I would instantly view it as a yellow/red flag that management is starting to get heavy handed about team culture, and I would probably start resenting it. My ideal company culture is pretty minimal at this point: friendly people, a healthy work/life balance, and coworkers who are open to/good at learning - because that's what I strive for myself. I'm probably coming off as a curmudgeon, and like I said maybe it's just due to some bad associations that come to mind, but this seems like it's starting down the path of "look how much fun our employees have at work!" My $.02. That being said I wish you luck, and it seems like a neat option for more social settings.

corytheboyd 6y ago
I second this, if you’re looking for feedback specifically on why it may not be welcome “in the office” That being said, I love the concept and think it can make for some interesting online social events!
eambutu 6y ago
Thanks for the really thoughtful feedback. I definitely hear this, and I think it would be crazy for us to think that we can build a single tool that will be useful across all ranges of team dynamics and culture. FWIW, just like how companies can have different cultures around their physical spaces, they could have different practices/expectations set around the virtual space. For example, if there is now an expectation for people to be in the Gather office all the time, that seems like an issue with the company (and you could expect them to do other unpleasant things like, expect you to respond to Slack messages at 10 PM). Another q would be: under the current paradigm, are you enjoying work from home more than physical offices? One of our goals here is to replicate the physical ones, so maybe this is just not directionally correct for you. I also admit that I haven't had any of the particular experiences mention, so maybe I'm talking out of my sphere of knowledge here.
- nend 6y ago
  >FWIW, just like how companies can have different cultures around their physical spaces, they could have different practices/expectations set around the virtual space. That's true, and it's not like I would quit my job if my team started using this, so maybe I would come around and appreciate it more. But initial gut reaction brings negative thoughts. >Another q would be: under the current paradigm, are you enjoying work from home more than physical offices? There are pros and cons for sure. I actually just transferred to a wfh permanent employee (although last time I was in an office was April), which I see as a net positive mostly due to how much time I save not commuting.