3 ms·

Well this is a new definition of “tech bro” to me. In my experience the people who either identified themselves or fit the stereotype preferred office life, and

Well this is a new definition of “tech bro” to me. In my experience the people who either identified themselves or fit the stereotype preferred office life, and all of the social life it affords/requires. I’ve been remote most of my career and still prefer it despite difficulties posed by the pandemic. It’s quiet, I can focus on work goals without also accommodating a high school-like social atmosphere, and it’s… quiet. My sensory issues are limited to the things I live with at home. It’s a shame if companies making cool and unique products think that’s some kind of a cultural signal that candidates are tech bros. They’re basically excluding almost everyone with autism and ADHD.

micromacrofoot 5y ago
I have autism and ADHD and prefer working alone most of the time, but I’m also bad at making friends and enjoy occasional casual collaborative or parallel in-person work. I’d like going to an office once a week rather than 0 times. There are many personal preferences that aren’t clearly defined by one option or the other… I wonder what kind of flexibility develops in-between the two?
- eyelidlessness 5y ago
  I feel the same way (if not in the same proportions) for what it’s worth. I would definitely prefer an occasional in person work life if it’s available. But I’ve only really encountered that with places that are remote by default.
seumars 5y ago
>accommodating a high school-like social atmosphere Social skills are an important work skill. Describing it as "high school like" is ironically childish I think.
- reaperducer 5y ago
  Social skills are an important work skill. This is so very important, and something that people who don't have a lot of experience in a professional work environment often don't understand. It took me at least a decade of working in a suit-and-tie environment before I started to understand the reasons for what people who chatter on HN consider antiquated customs and ceremonies. I have tremendous social anxiety, and hate being in an office. It's so bad that I ended up starting my first company years ago because I didn't want to deal with people. I learned that you can't run a real business without interacting with people and using social skills. Unfortunately, I ended up back in the office because I needed a company that pays me better than I could pay myself. It's hard. We all have our social/mental problems. But you have to learn to work through those, or at least cope with them, and not dismiss them as "high school." You might get lucky to work at a FAANG with a playpen environment. But you're not going to be there forever. What about your next job? What are you going to do when the business environment changes, as it always does every couple of decades?
- eyelidlessness 5y ago
  > Social skills are an important work skill. Describing it as "high school like" is ironically childish I think. I was describing a kind of social atmosphere, not saying that any social interaction at work is childish.

micromacrofoot 5y ago

I have autism and ADHD and prefer working alone most of the time, but I’m also bad at making friends and enjoy occasional casual collaborative or parallel in-person work. I’d like going to an office once a week rather than 0 times. There are many personal preferences that aren’t clearly defined by one option or the other… I wonder what kind of flexibility develops in-between the two?

eyelidlessness 5y ago
I feel the same way (if not in the same proportions) for what it’s worth. I would definitely prefer an occasional in person work life if it’s available. But I’ve only really encountered that with places that are remote by default.

seumars 5y ago

>accommodating a high school-like social atmosphere Social skills are an important work skill. Describing it as "high school like" is ironically childish I think.

reaperducer 5y ago
Social skills are an important work skill. This is so very important, and something that people who don't have a lot of experience in a professional work environment often don't understand. It took me at least a decade of working in a suit-and-tie environment before I started to understand the reasons for what people who chatter on HN consider antiquated customs and ceremonies. I have tremendous social anxiety, and hate being in an office. It's so bad that I ended up starting my first company years ago because I didn't want to deal with people. I learned that you can't run a real business without interacting with people and using social skills. Unfortunately, I ended up back in the office because I needed a company that pays me better than I could pay myself. It's hard. We all have our social/mental problems. But you have to learn to work through those, or at least cope with them, and not dismiss them as "high school." You might get lucky to work at a FAANG with a playpen environment. But you're not going to be there forever. What about your next job? What are you going to do when the business environment changes, as it always does every couple of decades?
eyelidlessness 5y ago
> Social skills are an important work skill. Describing it as "high school like" is ironically childish I think. I was describing a kind of social atmosphere, not saying that any social interaction at work is childish.