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The cult of WeWork

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Re: The cult of WeWork

#51

Post by rleigh »

jpindar wrote: post #49
rleigh wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's beyond antisocial. Being forced to smell and see food, and watch people eat can be disgusting. Some food is obviously worse than others. Deliberately inflicting it on an entire office is not-so-subtly telling everyone else that their eating at their desk, rather than use any provided kitchen or dining facilities, is more important to them than their consideration of every other person in the place. It might be "…

You'd get more sympathy without the "its for their own good" part.

Why? The point about it being antisocial and inconsiderate stands on its own.

The point about it being for their own good is separate, but still valid. Too many people end up with long term health problems from sedentary jobs, and a small amount of physical and social activity at lunch is all some people get. Missing that out can be quite detrimental in the long run, from depression, lack of motivation and migranes to bad circulation and consequent RSI problems and other health problems.

I've suffered from some of the above even with not eating at my desk and taking breaks. Some of the people I've known who basically didn't move for 9+ hours a day had some horrific health and mental problems, and because people often minimise the dangers I'm deliberately bringing them up. They can creep up slowly over the course of years, which makes them insidious and underestimated. Being "so busy" you rationalise eating at your desk is symptomatic of a more general lack of care which needs sorting out.

Re: The cult of WeWork

#52

Post by darn »

sctb wrote: post #46
sonnyblarney wrote: post #26

I lose so much respect for people like this. I don't want to offend Americans, but this is mostly an American thing and it's not just corporate: it's politics, religion, NGOs, entertainment, news - everywhere. (America literally invents it's own religions!) The scariest part is when you meet true believers, those not just 'playing the game' but are really on the koolaid. I believe this is because in America, people d…

Handwave-y nationalistic generalizations rarely lead to thoughtful discussion so we'd appreciate it if you would please not post them.

You only call these out when the target is Americans. It's never "handwave-y nationalistic generalizations" when it's Americans doing it to others. It's becoming hilarious from where I sit, really

Re: The cult of WeWork

#53

Post by s73v3r_ »

steveeq1 wrote: post #28
scythe wrote: post #20

I work at a WeWork office in the East Bay. My impression of WeWork events is that a small minority attends them and a slightly larger minority goes just long enough to swipe some free food (I would never ). My main complaints are that the office is noisy and people seem to think it's acceptable to eat lunch in the shared workspace, also the keycards are terrible and usually require 3-4 attempts to open any door. As f…

I don't get it, what's wrong with eating in a shared workspace? I don't work in one, but it seems like a "normal" thing to do.

Places like that usually have a kitchen for doing that. But the thing is, the aroma (or stench) of the food, and the sounds of eating can be really distracting, in a grosser way than regular talking can be.

Re: The cult of WeWork

#54

Post by closeparen »

whitepoplar wrote: post #19

Can anyone recommend a "coworking space" [0] for people who don't like coworking spaces? I like to work on my own independent projects, preferably at a place that isn't my apartment, but I just can't stand WeWork-style coworking spaces, which I find to be a mix of equal parts motivational speech, "networking," pretension, and pretend work. It just seems so fake to me. Am I being closed-minded? [0]: I live in NYC fwiw…

Groups of artist-friends have been going in together on industrial space rentals to use as studios since time immemorial.

Heck, a relatively wealthy family in my neighborhood simply purchased a vacant warehouse in a distressed part of town to build out a woodworking shop, painting studio, darkroom, etc. as their interests could no longer fit in their residential garage/basement.

Of course, that just gets you the raw square feet. Outfitting the space for the work you want to do is half the fun. Otherwise, you're paying WeWork or similar to take it off your plate.

Re: The cult of WeWork

#55

Post by sonnyblarney »

sctb wrote: post #46
sonnyblarney wrote: post #26

I lose so much respect for people like this. I don't want to offend Americans, but this is mostly an American thing and it's not just corporate: it's politics, religion, NGOs, entertainment, news - everywhere. (America literally invents it's own religions!) The scariest part is when you meet true believers, those not just 'playing the game' but are really on the koolaid. I believe this is because in America, people d…

Handwave-y nationalistic generalizations rarely lead to thoughtful discussion so we'd appreciate it if you would please not post them.

The article specifically concerns 'cultish behaviour' in a uniquely American firm, and the author is specifically speaking from the perspective of a 'non American'.

My comment reflects observations I've made having living in many places around the world, speaking several languages immersing myself several different cultures and I think they speak directly to the nature of the article, more so than most of the comments on this thread which are a smidge colloquial side by HN standards.

Also this isn't an issue of 'nationalism', it's about culture, ironically those are two subjects North Americans tend to conflate.

Re: The cult of WeWork

#56

Post by whitepoplar »

closeparen wrote: post #54
whitepoplar wrote: post #19

Can anyone recommend a "coworking space" [0] for people who don't like coworking spaces? I like to work on my own independent projects, preferably at a place that isn't my apartment, but I just can't stand WeWork-style coworking spaces, which I find to be a mix of equal parts motivational speech, "networking," pretension, and pretend work. It just seems so fake to me. Am I being closed-minded? [0]: I live in NYC fwiw…

Groups of artist-friends have been going in together on industrial space rentals to use as studios since time immemorial. Heck, a relatively wealthy family in my neighborhood simply purchased a vacant warehouse in a distressed part of town to build out a woodworking shop, painting studio, darkroom, etc. as their interests could no longer fit in their residential garage/basement. Of course, that just gets you the raw…

Yeah, definitely. My rule of thumb to judge if a place feels comfortable to me (or not): can I take a hacksaw out and change the place to make it better? If you can't take control over your environment, I believe it's psychologically limiting. Not that you need to do so, but you need the optionality of doing so. I've never worked in a space that was like this, though (only lived), so it seems like it could be a fun project to take on at some point.

Re: The cult of WeWork

#57

Post by 628C6l0 »

sonnyblarney wrote: post #55
sctb wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Handwave-y nationalistic generalizations rarely lead to thoughtful discussion so we'd appreciate it if you would please not post them.

The article specifically concerns 'cultish behaviour' in a uniquely American firm, and the author is specifically speaking from the perspective of a 'non American'. My comment reflects observations I've made having living in many places around the world, speaking several languages immersing myself several different cultures and I think they speak directly to the nature of the article, more so than most of the comment…

He only enforces his "rule" when Americans are the target

Re: The cult of WeWork

#58

Post by dionidium »

whitepoplar wrote: post #19

Can anyone recommend a "coworking space" [0] for people who don't like coworking spaces? I like to work on my own independent projects, preferably at a place that isn't my apartment, but I just can't stand WeWork-style coworking spaces, which I find to be a mix of equal parts motivational speech, "networking," pretension, and pretend work. It just seems so fake to me. Am I being closed-minded? [0]: I live in NYC fwiw…

I'm in a NYC WeWork. I mostly ignore all that stuff. I say "hello" to the person at the front desk when I badge in each morning. That's the extent of my "networking." They send out the occasional email That's the extent of my exposure to their "motivational" material.

That stuff is there if you want it and barely noticeable if you don't.

Re: The cult of WeWork

#59

Post by WalterGR »

whitepoplar wrote: post #19

Can anyone recommend a "coworking space" [0] for people who don't like coworking spaces? I like to work on my own independent projects, preferably at a place that isn't my apartment, but I just can't stand WeWork-style coworking spaces, which I find to be a mix of equal parts motivational speech, "networking," pretension, and pretend work. It just seems so fake to me. Am I being closed-minded? [0]: I live in NYC fwiw…

Can anyone recommend a "coworking space" [0] for people who don't like coworking spaces?

Look for a “hacker space” in your area.

There’s one in Sacramento, CA, and it’s awesome in addition to being way less expensive than a strictly “cow-orking” space.

Plus... lasers and shit.

Re: The cult of WeWork

#60

Post by badcede »

alexpetralia wrote: post #17
CharlesDodgson wrote: post #10

Am I extremely out of the loop by just thinking that it's a hot desk company that rolls up all the expenses of the office adds 10%-25%, throws in some booze and lunches and says it's changing the world?

Actually yes - this perspective would discount the immense value of brand, design, narrative and belief. And before you think that that stuff is "not real", consider that the reason you do anything is because of some dominant narrative you may or may not have reflected on. Narratives are what get people build rockets and go to the moon, or build them and go to war instead.

The moon thing was a cold war narrative.
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