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I had a single casual conversation spontaneously in the office that directly led to a million dollar product getting created. It wasn’t even a “bouncing idea” t

I had a single casual conversation spontaneously in the office that directly led to a million dollar product getting created. It wasn’t even a “bouncing idea” talk, it came from nerds nerding-out at the lunch table. That one example sold me. Perhaps it could have happened over Zoom, but my experience is that post-scheduled meeting most people drop off instantly — they’re not interested in any casual conversation. Most people say a word or two about the weather or their sports team then jump into their next Zoom call. (Edit: note, I’m pro-working from home, but I don’t agree that you can 1:1 recreate in-person ideation/spontaneity over a screen with scheduled meetings. Based on the downvotes I guess that’s a controversial opinion in 2023. Wild.)

red-iron-pine 3y ago
> Perhaps it could have happened over Zoom, but my experience is that post-scheduled meeting most people drop off instantly — they’re not interested in any casual conversation. Most people say a word or two about the weather or their sports team then jump into their next Zoom call. In person or remote, if there are other meetings I'm not hanging out, I'm off to the next one.
JohnFen 3y ago
> Perhaps it could have happened over Zoom Videoconferencing is the wrong tool for that sort of thing. IMs are a much better tool for that. > my experience is that post-scheduled meeting most people drop off instantly This is my experience with in-person meetings, too. The millisecond the meeting is over, everyone goes back to work.
BeFlatXIII 3y ago
> I had a single casual conversation spontaneously in the office that directly led to a million dollar product getting created. It wasn’t even a “bouncing idea” talk, it came from nerds nerding-out at the lunch table. How much of that $1M was reflected in your paycheck?
- bentlegen 3y ago
  Seems off topic, but the equity I’ve been compensated with has been sufficiently worthwhile and I don’t feel hard done by. YMMV.
t43562 3y ago
I have random chats in the "watercooler" channels with like minded people. It's whether you're interested in anything - not whether you hang out in the right room.
- bentlegen 3y ago
  I hang out in those rooms too. My experience doesn’t mean good ideas don’t or can’t happen there. But I personally feel more “creatively productive” when I can read the room and gauge folks’ expressions/enthusiasm. People are different. What works for me may not work for you, your team, company culture, etc.

red-iron-pine 3y ago

> Perhaps it could have happened over Zoom, but my experience is that post-scheduled meeting most people drop off instantly — they’re not interested in any casual conversation. Most people say a word or two about the weather or their sports team then jump into their next Zoom call. In person or remote, if there are other meetings I'm not hanging out, I'm off to the next one.

JohnFen 3y ago

> Perhaps it could have happened over Zoom Videoconferencing is the wrong tool for that sort of thing. IMs are a much better tool for that. > my experience is that post-scheduled meeting most people drop off instantly This is my experience with in-person meetings, too. The millisecond the meeting is over, everyone goes back to work.

BeFlatXIII 3y ago

> I had a single casual conversation spontaneously in the office that directly led to a million dollar product getting created. It wasn’t even a “bouncing idea” talk, it came from nerds nerding-out at the lunch table. How much of that $1M was reflected in your paycheck?

bentlegen 3y ago
Seems off topic, but the equity I’ve been compensated with has been sufficiently worthwhile and I don’t feel hard done by. YMMV.

t43562 3y ago

I have random chats in the "watercooler" channels with like minded people. It's whether you're interested in anything - not whether you hang out in the right room.

bentlegen 3y ago
I hang out in those rooms too. My experience doesn’t mean good ideas don’t or can’t happen there. But I personally feel more “creatively productive” when I can read the room and gauge folks’ expressions/enthusiasm. People are different. What works for me may not work for you, your team, company culture, etc.