Slack Is Not Where 'Deep Work' Happens

#1

Post by zzaner » Fri, Apr 12, 2019, 9:16 AM UTC

Slack Is Not Where 'Deep Work' Happens
blog.nuclino.com

Re: Slack Is Not Where 'Deep Work' Happens

#2

Post by jayjaybinks » Fri, Apr 12, 2019, 9:22 AM UTC

This is exactly why we switched to Twist. Slack is fun but toxic. Working in an open office is bad enough but at least you can use noise canceling headphones. No such remedy for Slack.

Re: Slack Is Not Where 'Deep Work' Happens

#3

Post by rohtul » Fri, Apr 12, 2019, 9:44 AM UTC

“Group chat is like being in an all-day meeting with random participants and no agenda.”

That. So true.

Re: Slack Is Not Where 'Deep Work' Happens

#4

Post by zzaner » Fri, Apr 12, 2019, 9:48 AM UTC

jayjaybinks wrote: post #2

This is exactly why we switched to Twist. Slack is fun but toxic. Working in an open office is bad enough but at least you can use noise canceling headphones. No such remedy for Slack.

Wish we could as well, but I don't see our management giving up Slack any time soon. "So connected! So collaborative!" Ugh.

Re: Slack Is Not Where 'Deep Work' Happens

#5

Post by throwaway2016a » Fri, Apr 12, 2019, 10:59 AM UTC

jayjaybinks wrote: post #2

This is exactly why we switched to Twist. Slack is fun but toxic. Working in an open office is bad enough but at least you can use noise canceling headphones. No such remedy for Slack.

I think the equivalent is snoozing notifications. If it is important people can "notify anyway" -- however, your world culture needs to be OK with that.

Re: Slack Is Not Where 'Deep Work' Happens

#6

Post by woliveirajr » Fri, Apr 12, 2019, 11:09 AM UTC

I went on to favorite this one and saw that my last time favorite was this:https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12419649

I think it tells me something about a persistent problem, curiosity or struggle.

Re: Slack Is Not Where 'Deep Work' Happens

#7

Post by rob74 » Fri, Apr 12, 2019, 11:22 AM UTC

"you could try the monastic approach, ditching the city for a gig as a caretaker at an isolated hotel" - you can read "The Shining" to see how that may turn out...

Re: Slack Is Not Where 'Deep Work' Happens

#8

Post by alistairSH » Fri, Apr 12, 2019, 11:26 AM UTC

jayjaybinks wrote: post #2

This is exactly why we switched to Twist. Slack is fun but toxic. Working in an open office is bad enough but at least you can use noise canceling headphones. No such remedy for Slack.

I’d rather close Slack, or snooze notifications, than wear headphones all day.

Re: Slack Is Not Where 'Deep Work' Happens

#9

Post by codingdave » Fri, Apr 12, 2019, 11:44 AM UTC

jayjaybinks wrote: post #2

This is exactly why we switched to Twist. Slack is fun but toxic. Working in an open office is bad enough but at least you can use noise canceling headphones. No such remedy for Slack.

This is a cultural problem. You can close Slack. You can check it every couple hours and catch up. You can turn off notifications. If your management has problems with this, that is a problem with their culture, not the tool.

We have channels where discussions will spread over multiple days because there simply is no expectation that Slack is real-time.

Re: Slack Is Not Where 'Deep Work' Happens

#10

Post by Hoasi » Fri, Apr 12, 2019, 11:47 AM UTC

> Slack Is Not Where 'Deep Work' Happens

Sure, but that's not the point, it is not even where "work" happens. Slack can be useful as a communication tool. There is a time for work and a time for communication. Just as you don't answer the phone when you want to do serious work. Likewise, meetings are a waste of time, except when meeting face to face is useful. Communication is super important. After all, without communication, there is no work. Tools designed to enhance communication impede it when used as surrogate management. If Slack must be open at all times, it turns into a distraction.