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I'm an Ian Bogost fan, but this is a very mixed article. It correctly identifies the need for control of office fans (and companies) and the reluctance of Big T

I'm an Ian Bogost fan, but this is a very mixed article. It correctly identifies the need for control of office fans (and companies) and the reluctance of Big Tech to abandon their massive investment in all-inclusive officeplexes. Nonetheless, it provides nothing concrete for supporting that this reaction will endure. I think there is no way we are going back to the 100% office life for most workers, as we are not going back to horses and carriages. I'm a hybrid worker departing my position to go full remote. It's not that I hate the office, but it's so wasteful for me. My worst work is done in the office, and my best at home. Coming to the office feels like an anachronism - collaboration is inefficient because of the noise, meeting rooms are crowded (and I waste 5+ minutes to resettle on a new room) and peers are annoying when they chitchat (including passerbys distracting me). Junior team members, the ones that are supposedly most eager to come to the office, are working from home more than the allowed maximum. The only exceptions I'm seeing wanting to come every day are brand new hires who need constant help, the odd office environment fans and people who have poor work environments at home (small children). I think it would be misguided to completely discard the office, as they can serve well in some scenarios including occasional "bonding get togethers" . And for that we'll see highly flexible hybrid, or largely remote, becoming more and more common.

jbigelow76 4y ago
Junior team members, the ones that are supposedly most eager to come to the office, are working from home more than the allowed maximum. Ha, I've seen the same thing. I have two junior-ish reports, and when we started the discussion of eventual return to office last year they both said they would be in all the time to soak up the team building and culture establishment they missed out on. We returned to voluntary office work for those that wanted it three months ago and neither one has made it in a single day, they have stayed full remote (and they get their work done so I couldn't care less.)
- neon_electro 4y ago
  Have you asked them why they ultimately didn't value going back to the office? Not to convince, just to understand.
  - danielrpa 4y ago
    At least in my case, they got really good at working from home despite being junior. Not surprising as most of these engineers didn't develop office habits so they don't miss them. They like the office okay, but it's just too convenient and time efficient to stay home getting stuff done.
illiac786 4y ago
>massive investment in all-inclusive officeplexes. This is only true for the biggest offices of the largest companies. The massive majority of firms are just renting something they could easily stop renting. They just won't because the decision makers are too used to working on the office and scared of the change. It's really that simple, a simple habit bias of the decision makers. Question is, how much will they be able to change back before a new generation comes in with less of a dogmatic view.

jbigelow76 4y ago

Junior team members, the ones that are supposedly most eager to come to the office, are working from home more than the allowed maximum. Ha, I've seen the same thing. I have two junior-ish reports, and when we started the discussion of eventual return to office last year they both said they would be in all the time to soak up the team building and culture establishment they missed out on. We returned to voluntary office work for those that wanted it three months ago and neither one has made it in a single day, they have stayed full remote (and they get their work done so I couldn't care less.)

neon_electro 4y ago
Have you asked them why they ultimately didn't value going back to the office? Not to convince, just to understand.
- danielrpa 4y ago
  At least in my case, they got really good at working from home despite being junior. Not surprising as most of these engineers didn't develop office habits so they don't miss them. They like the office okay, but it's just too convenient and time efficient to stay home getting stuff done.

illiac786 4y ago

>massive investment in all-inclusive officeplexes. This is only true for the biggest offices of the largest companies. The massive majority of firms are just renting something they could easily stop renting. They just won't because the decision makers are too used to working on the office and scared of the change. It's really that simple, a simple habit bias of the decision makers. Question is, how much will they be able to change back before a new generation comes in with less of a dogmatic view.