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Startups bet that lonely freelancers crave company

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Re: Startups bet that lonely freelancers crave company

#61

Post by dorkinspace »

jackcosgrove wrote: post #43
ivanhoe wrote: post #34

I thought that these type of arguments are stupid, like why would I need to hang out with people in an office, I've got my buddies for that after work. Later I moved to another country where I knew no one beside my wife, and then I realized that mingling with office crowd is actually the easiest way to expand your social circle when you're in a new environment. Yes, you can do that on conferences or in a gym or clubs…

Even if you don't talk to others, being around people is very comforting. It meets a basic need we have as humans.

I think this is a generalization about the type of person you are. For me, I much prefer to work in a space where I am completely alone. I like to have music blasting without headphones, drink a smelly tea, or eat a stinky meal at my desk.

I can't do any of those things in an office with others around me.

Re: Startups bet that lonely freelancers crave company

#62

Post by fishmaster »

jackcosgrove wrote: post #43
ivanhoe wrote: post #34

I thought that these type of arguments are stupid, like why would I need to hang out with people in an office, I've got my buddies for that after work. Later I moved to another country where I knew no one beside my wife, and then I realized that mingling with office crowd is actually the easiest way to expand your social circle when you're in a new environment. Yes, you can do that on conferences or in a gym or clubs…

Even if you don't talk to others, being around people is very comforting. It meets a basic need we have as humans.

Nope, I don't like to be in an open floor plan office when I'm getting disturbed every 5 seconds. I would 100% like to work from home.

Re: Startups bet that lonely freelancers crave company

#63

Post by [deleted] »

stingraycharles wrote: post #18
spurdoman77 wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you tried freelancing alone, and of you have for how long? After working at a company, initially it felt quite nice but after some months/years I started feeling different. I have been working intensively at a companies, and then as a freelancer/solopreneur, alternating both modes along the years. Currently working mostly alone I have to admit that I crave the workplace - kind of the place where you go work and…

I think this is very personal. I've been doing freelance, solo (from home) since 2014 and I couldn't be happier. Workplaces drain energy from me for some reason. I do have a fair amount of good friends and other social activities, so I'm definitely not lonely.

[deleted]

Re: Startups bet that lonely freelancers crave company

#64

Post by GrinningFool »

dglass wrote: post #58

Shameless plug -- my company is working on solving this problem also, but unfortunately we weren't mentioned in the article. We talk with a lot of remote workers, freelancers, consultants, and self-employed workers, and the common theme behind all our conversations is that it's lonely working from home or on the road. We hold Work Clubs in coffee shops to give people an opportunity to work together for a few hours wh…

This looks good, but I'm reluctant to sign up without seeing information about what regions you're active in/have participants in. It would be frustrating to go through the process only to find that there's nothing in my region.

Re: Startups bet that lonely freelancers crave company

#65

Post by Benmcdonald__ »

devtul wrote: post #56

You don't need to work remote to feel miserably lonely. I moved to Canada with my wife, I consider myself lucky because I have two couples of friends who also moved here. Apart from that, nothing. People where I work don't even say bye when they leave. This is insanely different from the country I came from, to say people there make a point of striking up conversations and caring about you doesn't make justice, it is…

Where are you from?

Re: Startups bet that lonely freelancers crave company

#66

Post by dglass »

GrinningFool wrote: post #64
dglass wrote: post #58

Shameless plug -- my company is working on solving this problem also, but unfortunately we weren't mentioned in the article. We talk with a lot of remote workers, freelancers, consultants, and self-employed workers, and the common theme behind all our conversations is that it's lonely working from home or on the road. We hold Work Clubs in coffee shops to give people an opportunity to work together for a few hours wh…

This looks good, but I'm reluctant to sign up without seeing information about what regions you're active in/have participants in. It would be frustrating to go through the process only to find that there's nothing in my region.

Thanks for the feedback, and I don't blame you. Right now we've got communities in Portland, San Diego, and the SF Bay Area. We'ree planning to expand to a few new cities soon and are always open to people who want to host Work Clubs in their own cities.

Re: Startups bet that lonely freelancers crave company

#67

Post by bitL »

postsantum wrote: post #46
bitL wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Throw parties at home when you feel lonely. Invite guests from various industries/walks of life. That would fulfill your social needs, make you more pleasant to be around, get that out of your system and allow you to focus 100% on your mission without wondering what if...

Right, if someone doesn't have many friends to talk to, why wouldn't they throw a party and invite all zero of them

Parties are nice opportunities to make some friends... If you can't find any, go to language school, art club etc. and invite people just like that.

Re: Startups bet that lonely freelancers crave company

#68

Post by stevenicr »

foldr wrote: post #13
stevenicr wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow - that escalated quickly - should of added the sarcasm flag to it. Certainly it's not okay to tamper with someone else's system without their permission. I would suggest they just take it with them, I would not leave mine laying out for other's to watch. Maybe I should of suggested having a battery powered 360 camera on hand, perhaps shaped like the blue yeti microphones and painted like an eye? Surely there is o…

Why do you have such a big issue with doing someone a small favor? It really greases the wheels of society a bit if people help each other out in small ways.

Sorry it seemed like I don't want to help someone - I was trying to add to the GP's thing about how he/she does not enjoy co working spaces because of broken concentration by others asking to watch their stuff.

Of course I would help keep an eye out, but I would also like to help that person with other security / safety measure too, so they would be more secure in the future -

I think some people need a little auto-flag / light that pops up saying "I'm in the zone, don't break my flow" - I can relate to working on a thing and several side issues pop up that remain in short-term attention memory while changing code.. and getting through the mental checklist - and then get interrupted by family.. and try to come back and spend an extra 20-30 minutes trying to remember..

I could of closed my door, and should have - so it's not their fault.. so I see both sides of it. Generally speaking I would prefer to be social and helpful and can get my groove / flow back anyhow - so certainly being available to be present with other humans is often a higher priority. I also understand some others may have deadlines or whatever.

Also - what happens if someone else distracts you and you don't keep an eye on the laptop and something happens to it. Or what happens if two guys in black suits with sunglasses pop in and swap the laptop and look at you and give you the shh and finger gun to the head. I mean, what a predicament to be in.

I know none of that will ever happen, but someone's competition, an ex lover - I mean any sorts of things - many laptops are just value of the hardware sure, but some are data on the device and that could be a lot of responsibility -

I'm just sayin' - if it's not a chromebook, lets get some more layers of security! and an odd "all seeing eye" could not only be semi-cool tech, but a conversation starter if that's part of the appeal of engaging in the 'hey I'm running to the toilet' starter :)

Now, how to make an auto-do-not-disturb- I'm-in-the-zone, not-on-facebook bluetooth light/sign that detects typing in visual-studio/sublime/notepad++/jetbrains vs scrolling some web page. Might need to be more than a red/green light busy/not-to-busy; maybe do-not-bother (writing code)/available-to-chat(reading-perhaps)/please-save-me (I've been on reddit/fbook more than 30 minutes).

Re: Startups bet that lonely freelancers crave company

#69

Post by stevenicr »

spottybanana wrote: post #19
foldr wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why do you have such a big issue with doing someone a small favor? It really greases the wheels of society a bit if people help each other out in small ways.

I've never had any problems if someone else asks me to watch their belongings in coffee shop etc. Doesn't really disturb me at all.

I'm with you on the not really minding to watch a bit - I mean if their table is in front of me or within what 145 degrees or so viewing angle? I'm going to notice any movement of object larger than a rat in the area, and would not hesitate to say hey bud, that other person is gonna be right back or something..

On the other hand I want to help others be more secure, and taking a backpack or case to the bathroom is not a huge deal (in most places) - and is generally more secure.

This past week we had some run through the bar at ocharleys a mile from here grabbing purses hanging on bar stools and sitting on tables then run out the door and through a hole in a fence.

It would be shitty to be accused of being in cahoots with someone snatch and grabbing.. and people should be aware that sometimes that person you ask to watch your X will be tempted to steal your X. And more tempted by knowing you are going to the latrine than to the soda machine.

Re: Startups bet that lonely freelancers crave company

#70

Post by orangefarm »

gargs wrote: post #37
LeonM wrote: post #27

I'm in a co-working space, and the primary reason I took it was loneliness. But I think that, for me, a social app wouldn't be able to replace a physical work space. It's not just the interaction with co-workers, but also the separation of work and home. The routine of riding my bike to and from the office is like a mental barrier, helping me to switch between work and leisure. By going to my office, I effectively sw…

I have thought about starting a little website where people open up their living rooms every once in a while to create an ad-hoc coworking space. It could even be the kitchen or the dining table, as long as you're sharing ideas, learning, and getting to know what other people are working on. From a business perspective, I'd rather make use of the plentiful libraries in Amsterdam than pay for a coworking space.

Have a look at https://www.codiwork.com
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