Remote work has been the norm for at least 15 years. Ever since tech companies realized they could get cheaper coders in India, we've been working in distributed teams.
Sam Altman says era of remote work is over
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Re: Sam Altman says era of remote work is over
#82The debate around this usually turns pretty unproductive because many of the people who are pro-WFH are unwilling to entertain the idea that working from home is just a net negative for the company. Any pushes for WFH gets blamed on either middle managers who have nothing better to do than micromanage you, or Big Corporate Office who has millions on the line.
Re: Sam Altman says era of remote work is over
#83Earlier quoted context omitted.
You clearly didn't read the article and came to react from the headline. He says the earlier the stage and the more unclear the more you need to spend time together. His general comment is about full 100% transition from in office to remote. I agree with this. You need SOME time in person, especially with an early stage startup.
The best and most productive I've ever been (at least felt, but I think the results spoke for themselves as well) was when I was able to go into an office, but did not have to. There is some tragedy of the commons there though. It was quite convenient to have most everyone in the office on a given day if I decided at 11am it might be nice to switch gears. I also lived literally across the street for one job, and abou…
phil21, I see where you're coming from, but let's not forget that we're all different, and what might work for you won't necessarily work for everyone else. It's great that you thrived in that environment, but forcing others into the office because it suits you just ain't the way to go.
There are folks who are far more productive working remotely, and we should respect their preferences too. It's all about balance and understanding that each individual has unique needs when it comes to their work environment.
A hybrid model could be the answer here, allowing people the flexibility to work from the office or home as they see fit. There's no point in squeezing everyone into a one-size-fits-all solution. Let's prioritize productivity and well-being over the illusion of a "perfect" office setup.
And yeah, that 50-90 minute commute you mentioned sounds like absolute hell. We can probably all agree that nobody should be subjected to that.
Re: Sam Altman says era of remote work is over
#84> He further added that OpenAI’s some of the best talents are working remotely. He said, "some of our best people are remote, and we will continue to support it always, so please don't let hating SF stop you from applying to OpenAI! I don't like the open air fentanyl markets either.” The above line seems to contradict the part about '..worst mistake of the tech industry'
I’m sure he could provide them some office space if he’s worried about the market having to operate outside.
Re: Sam Altman says era of remote work is over
#85Earlier quoted context omitted.
You clearly didn't read the article and came to react from the headline. He says the earlier the stage and the more unclear the more you need to spend time together. His general comment is about full 100% transition from in office to remote. I agree with this. You need SOME time in person, especially with an early stage startup.
I did read the article, and I did understand it. I just disagree with his position. > You need SOME time in person I'll agree with this. But it can be on an as-needed basis, not a regularly scheduled thing. This is how I've done it in my own startups. I had office space for people who wanted to come into the office (many prefer that), but it was not mandatory. We'd have in-person meetings every so often as needed. On…
While I understand the sentiment that some in-person time may be beneficial, I'd argue that it's not a strict requirement for a successful work environment. With the advancements in technology and communication tools, we can now maintain strong connections with our colleagues, even without face-to-face interaction. Virtual meetings, team-building activities, and online workshops can serve as effective substitutes for in-person gatherings, allowing teams to stay connected and collaborate effectively.
The key lies in fostering a culture of open communication and trust among team members, regardless of their physical location. By prioritizing these values and leveraging available technology, it's possible to create a cohesive and productive remote work environment without the need for in-person meetings. As the landscape of work evolves, it's essential for us to adapt and explore new ways to connect and collaborate, transcending the boundaries of traditional office settings.
Re: Sam Altman says era of remote work is over
#86Remote work has been a game-changer in promoting diversity and inclusivity, particularly for underrepresented communities such as Black professionals. By breaking down geographic barriers and providing equal access to job opportunities, remote work empowers talented individuals from all backgrounds to excel in their careers. This shift helps to create a more level playing field, fostering innovation and driving progress forward in the tech industry (thus far dominated by whites).
Re: Sam Altman says era of remote work is over
#87If the headline were succinct there'd be no point in reading the article:
"Sam Altman says startups need in-person work to get going."
Re: Sam Altman says era of remote work is over
#88It's rarely the "makers" saying remote work is a mistake. It's almost always the "managers." >> http://www.paulgraham.com/makersschedule.html
Re: Sam Altman says era of remote work is over
#89I have noticed that senior employees, rather selfishly, advocate for full remote work. This robs junior people of valuable one on one mentorship and makes it extremely difficult to gain domain expertise and break into niche fields.
I disagree with the premise that valuable one on one mentorship requires a physical presence. I've done a lot of mentoring over Slack and Zoom, and at least on my side, it was a rewarding experience.
Re: Sam Altman says era of remote work is over
#90> He further added that OpenAI’s some of the best talents are working remotely. He said, "some of our best people are remote, and we will continue to support it always, so please don't let hating SF stop you from applying to OpenAI! I don't like the open air fentanyl markets either.” The above line seems to contradict the part about '..worst mistake of the tech industry'
Seems like Sam Altman's actions speak louder than his words, embracing remote work for OpenAI's top talents while critiquing the very same practice.