I'm an Ian Bogost fan, but this is a very mixed article. It correctly identifies the need for control of office fans (and companies) and the reluctance of Big Tech to abandon their massive investment in all-inclusive officeplexes. Nonetheless, it provides nothing concrete for supporting that this reaction will endure.

I think there is no way we are going back to the 100% office life for most workers, as we are not going back to horses and carriages.

I'm a hybrid worker departing my position to go full remote. It's not that I hate the office, but it's so wasteful for me. My worst work is done in the office, and my best at home. Coming to the office feels like an anachronism - collaboration is inefficient because of the noise, meeting rooms are crowded (and I waste 5+ minutes to resettle on a new room) and peers are annoying when they chitchat (including passerbys distracting me).

Junior team members, the ones that are supposedly most eager to come to the office, are working from home more than the allowed maximum.

The only exceptions I'm seeing wanting to come every day are brand new hires who need constant help, the odd office environment fans and people who have poor work environments at home (small children).

I think it would be misguided to completely discard the office, as they can serve well in some scenarios including occasional "bonding get togethers" . And for that we'll see highly flexible hybrid, or largely remote, becoming more and more common.