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Is This the Office of the Future or a $5B Waste of Space?

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Re: Is This the Office of the Future or a $5B Waste of Space?

#21

Post by yitchelle »

imgabe wrote: post #3
sneak wrote: post #2

I can't be the only one who's tired of the USA's alcohol-drenched startup culture. In the first four paragraphs: keg, keg, beer, bar, tap, bar, pub, microbrews, tap, happy hour, tequila, margaritas, "90,000 glasses of beer".

This is hardly specific to the USA work culture. From what I understand European offices make the US look like a bunch of teetotalers. And the drunken Japanese businessman singing karaoke isn't a cliche for no reason.

BMW has beer vending machines with no time restrictions.

https://suegoestogermany.wordpress.com/2012/06/21/thursday-6...

Re: Is This the Office of the Future or a $5B Waste of Space?

#22

Post by rifung »

sneak wrote: post #2

I can't be the only one who's tired of the USA's alcohol-drenched startup culture. In the first four paragraphs: keg, keg, beer, bar, tap, bar, pub, microbrews, tap, happy hour, tequila, margaritas, "90,000 glasses of beer".

Definitely not alone. I don't drink so when the company gets together for beer I just feel really awkward or don't go.

Re: Is This the Office of the Future or a $5B Waste of Space?

#23

Post by moron4hire »

joslin01 wrote: post #15
nonamemanemo wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't worry, you aren't the only one. I long to be transported to a time or place where humans weren't so accepting... no, seeking such blatant disrespect to their personal dignity and craft. It seems to be one facet of a theme of infantilization and youth glorification in work culture and society at large. I am not sure whether it has any relationship with the rise of the "social" plague in industry, and the widespr…

I work in this youth glorified startup world. It's awfully critical to imply that those of us who enjoy the atmosphere are "seeking blatant disregard to their personal dignity and craft." There's not as much drinking done as you would think and really it's either an after work hours thing or someone is coming in checking the place out and has a beer. It's really not a big deal. It's actually just more convenient beca…

I'm not as vociferous as the person you're replying to, but I'm starting to think of the all-consuming social scene of modern startups as one of the reasons why diversity is still a major problem in the tech industry. I don't think socializing with coworkers all the time--either in the office or outside of it--is healthy. It reinforces monoculture. I think it's healthier to have everyone socializing outside of the circle of people they see every day already. If the only friends you have are the people at work, then to whom do you turn for personal recommendations when you need to add people to the company?

If employees want to hang out with each other, that's fine. I just don't think it's a good idea, in the long run, for companies to be pushing like this.

Re: Is This the Office of the Future or a $5B Waste of Space?

#24

Post by moron4hire »

[deleted] wrote: post #19
semi-extrinsic wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> playgrounds for kids are becoming more like jails The solution to this problem is to revolt. Stop taking your kids to the playground. Get them helmets and a kickbike and go to the local skateboard park. Go out hiking with them, even if it's just 300 yards in a park. Run on the beach. Let them eat the sand. Give them proper rain clothing and boots so they can jump in puddles for hours on end. Teach them that there i…

[deleted]

That's not happening to anyone.

Re: Is This the Office of the Future or a $5B Waste of Space?

#26

Post by sillypog »

nonamemanemo wrote: post #10
sneak wrote: post #2

I can't be the only one who's tired of the USA's alcohol-drenched startup culture. In the first four paragraphs: keg, keg, beer, bar, tap, bar, pub, microbrews, tap, happy hour, tequila, margaritas, "90,000 glasses of beer".

Don't worry, you aren't the only one. I long to be transported to a time or place where humans weren't so accepting... no, seeking such blatant disrespect to their personal dignity and craft. It seems to be one facet of a theme of infantilization and youth glorification in work culture and society at large. I am not sure whether it has any relationship with the rise of the "social" plague in industry, and the widespr…

I'm not sure that alcohol and infantilization go together... or maybe I should revise my parenting methods.

Re: Is This the Office of the Future or a $5B Waste of Space?

#27

Post by Beached »

I work from home... Its much nicer then that place, I dont have noisy people running around and talking on the phones all day, unlimited food and drinks all day, and i get to keep my stuff laying out on the desk without fear of it getting stolen or messed with!

I never understood why people who can choose to work from anywhere, choose to pay a monthly commitment to go to a co working space, instead of choosing to work in a low cost area where there money can go SO much farther.

As a mobile startup, you can opt to live outside of a major city being able to leech talent from the talent hub, and make your money go SO much farther.

Re: Is This the Office of the Future or a $5B Waste of Space?

#28

Post by nonamemanemo »

joslin01 wrote: post #15
nonamemanemo wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't worry, you aren't the only one. I long to be transported to a time or place where humans weren't so accepting... no, seeking such blatant disrespect to their personal dignity and craft. It seems to be one facet of a theme of infantilization and youth glorification in work culture and society at large. I am not sure whether it has any relationship with the rise of the "social" plague in industry, and the widespr…

I work in this youth glorified startup world. It's awfully critical to imply that those of us who enjoy the atmosphere are "seeking blatant disregard to their personal dignity and craft." There's not as much drinking done as you would think and really it's either an after work hours thing or someone is coming in checking the place out and has a beer. It's really not a big deal. It's actually just more convenient beca…

I have no perception of what a workplace should be. That is up to the individuals who actually do work together or alone. Apparently its some other people who have ideas of what a workplace should be because every workplace these days is the same generic adult playground (with free drinks and snacks and open collaboration!).

I would prefer if everyone just worked from home, or in a shared community workshop, or private studio, or coffee shop, or bar, or wherever they fucking want. WeWork is nothing more but a modern spin on Office Space culture. If people like that, I am happy it is another option available to those who enjoy working in that kind of space. Just make sure you don't think you have stumbled upon the holy grail of work spaces, and push it on everyone who is looking for work.

Re: Is This the Office of the Future or a $5B Waste of Space?

#29

Post by karmajunkie »

Beached wrote: post #27

I work from home... Its much nicer then that place, I dont have noisy people running around and talking on the phones all day, unlimited food and drinks all day, and i get to keep my stuff laying out on the desk without fear of it getting stolen or messed with! I never understood why people who can choose to work from anywhere, choose to pay a monthly commitment to go to a co working space, instead of choosing to wor…

I'm with you on working in a cheaper locale. You lost me at working from home all the time. I'm guessing you don't have kids?
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