281–290 of 356 posts
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Except that the gigantic multibillion dollar new space ring was explicitly designed around big open office units, long tables with bench seating , and the 'privacy pods' are exposed clear glass on all sides..
long tables with bench seating So everyone at the table has to have identical ergonomics?
I juuuust got off a catch-up call with an old college buddy who works at one of the big wireless companies. He described what I read about here on HN and in some blog posts: The company completely changed its "culture" in a desperate attempt to "attract millennials" (and be on trend). Moved to an open floor plan where nobody has an assigned desk. You literally cannot leave anything overnight or you get some sort of a…
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> Interior design wouldn't solve all these problems, but Pretty much. Drama finds a way. You can find similar horror stories from any layout. I mean, I take no particular position on this subject and and not personally a fan of open plans. But there's an important distinction between office combatants using the terrain to their advantage and blaming the war on the geography.
Arguably, to extend this very rich metaphor, the reason nobody can ever win is in fact an artifact of geography. One particular mountainous region known to be the graveyard of empires springs to mind. I think drama comes from uncertainty and power vacuums, which I would say are artifacts of the terrain.
EDIT: oh. Are you saying Afghanistan?
why not just find remote work positions and set your own environment?
I mostly remote work and love it. But it's not for everybody. It involves: - being able to motivate yourself; - being disciplined; - being autonomous; - being capable to communicate efficiently asynchronously, with time and space constrains on limiting medium; - accepting less social time; - juggling private and pro time/space. Which includes your friends and family. My GF still hasn't get used to the fact that when…
Your employer will pay for office space, but when you're working remotely, you're providing the office space.
Since our living space is normally underutilized when we're at work, it's a fairly low cost to you, but as your remarks indicate, it's not 0 either.
> being capable to communicate efficiently asynchronously
Have you mentored anyone remotely?
And I'm curious how you think it affects your opportunities for promotion.
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> Have there been any studies on what kind of office floor plans are actually optimal for work? It's hard - every study of individuals shows they are significantly less productive in an open office environment. But what second order effects are there? You might be less productive individually but it might encourage team work and make the team as a whole more effective.
So where does all that supposed extra productivity come from? How does something get done, without any individual having done it?
If an open office plan helps a team develop a more on-target product, even if that happens a bit slower, it could still be a win.
Here at Kensho we try to accommodate everyone's preferences. We've got single offices, 2-3 person offices, and open floor areas for whose who prefer that.
If you weren't located at Ramat HaHayal that could almost become relevant.
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I mostly remote work and love it. But it's not for everybody. It involves: - being able to motivate yourself; - being disciplined; - being autonomous; - being capable to communicate efficiently asynchronously, with time and space constrains on limiting medium; - accepting less social time; - juggling private and pro time/space. Which includes your friends and family. My GF still hasn't get used to the fact that when…
I completely agree with your points. But I believe the real cause is not some personal defficiency but the shitty corporte/factory type of work where politics is a huge part of day to day job, where nobody really wants others to do meaningful, deep work, nobody wants to commit and give clear answers and offer personal responsibility. That's why devs need to communicate(read interrupt) so much in person with each othe…
You're both dead on with your points. Going remote removed a large part of the nonsense from the job. Also agree that it's best for both employer and employee to always start in the office. I like that personal connection, even if I'm socially awkward.
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Silicon ear plugs are amazing, I sleep with them in (insomnia), they kill sound better than foam, mould to fit so stay in and warm up to body temperature so you don't know they are even there. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bio-Ears-Silicone-EarPlugs-Protecti... I split one in two and use them that way, I've gotten to work with them in before without noticing, maybe worth a shot.
Seems like these are only good for a few uses with each set before disposal?
I bought a box of 100 pairs of Bilsom 303 plugs a couple of years ago, for motorcycling. The whole box was $40.
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In most offices people will talk around you. Sometimes to others, sometimes to themselves. If that triggers your 'severe menal anguish', seek employment somewhere with a dedicated office or working from home.
No. If you must talk to yourself then you should "seek employment somewhere with a dedicated office or work from home" -- if you were so important that your productivity should come at the expense of those around you then you would already have an office.
Since you're new, you should probably read the HN guidelines regarding the types of things to avoid.
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Silicon ear plugs are amazing, I sleep with them in (insomnia), they kill sound better than foam, mould to fit so stay in and warm up to body temperature so you don't know they are even there. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bio-Ears-Silicone-EarPlugs-Protecti... I split one in two and use them that way, I've gotten to work with them in before without noticing, maybe worth a shot.
Seems like these are only good for a few uses with each set before disposal?