leighbryant

I am pro both of those things with options provided for alternate work solutions. I think mob programming and group work sessions have enormous benefits. I also think having quiet, alone work time is important for even the most social workers.

Similarly, I think open office spaces provide opportunities for group bonding and collective thought that simply aren't available when everyone silos in corners with doors closed and blinders on. But I also recognize the need for quiet time and uninterrupted spurts.

What I am against is a dogmatic adherence to "one right way" and the special status afforded to those who demand it, something I have seen with regularity in the tech sector.

It's the idolization of the flow state that I take issue with. Flow, as the article states, has advantages.

But the tech industry puts it on a pedestal, to the detriment of teams and active collaboration. It discourages discussion and communication for fear of disrupting a precious, fragile work-state; it makes those who don't get into that zone feel lesser-than and like they are failures; and it makes those that do get into that zone chase it with single-minded zeal and drive themselves to exhaustion in the process.

To paraphrase another commenter from a different channel, the "fetishization of overwork" that comes with the constant, heady pursuit of flow is what I push back against. Flow itself is fine. The culture surrounding I find very problematic.