Some people are both programmers and social beings. They need to be able to chat, joke, exchange ideas (that may not have anything to do with the work at hand), talk about the f*ing weather on order to facilitate collaborating as a team. Collaborating as human beings involves way more than just making a phone call or having a meeting when there is something "important" to discuss.
(Funny enough, socializing kids is one of the most important functions of kindergarten...).
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Some people are both programmers and social beings. They need to be able to chat, joke, exchange ideas (that may not have anything to do with the work at hand), talk about the f*ing weather on order to facilitate collaborating as a team. Collaborating as human beings involves way more than just making a phone call or having a meeting when there is something "important" to discuss.
(Funny enough, socializing kids is one of the most important functions of kindergarten...).
I know it was a side thought, but as the son of a kindergarten teacher, you are absolutely right.
I share Gary's opinion. I want such things to be "opt it". And I don't want limited quiet time on a schedule.
I've put up with a lot of that socialization. Usually, it meant I ended up fixing their problems.
Fine. Let the marketplace settle it all. The problem was, by forcing me to sit in amongst them, the distraction dragged my own performance down.
That is the grand result of open space. Forced mediocrity.