Thoughts? https://twitter.com/kunalb11/status/1432272720729829384?s=19

Zoom pro + Slack.

I'd say I partially agree, but this is not a a problem with no solution. A company with culture built around remote will try to make up for this with frequent meets, hybridised WFH, Zoom sessions to exchange know how etc.

I agree. Osmosis is a huge factor when you are early in your career. Also, personally I have grown a lot staying in Bangalore and getting to meet some amazing folks every now and then.

Osmosis like when managers and then favourites have their lunch group and gossip about juniors, while juniors have their own lunch group and gossip about managers? There's some truth to it, sure. But thought leaders and micromanagers are confusing remote work during a pandemic with remote work during normal times. As digital tools expand in their capabilities, we'll have better communication while staying away from nonsense gossip and office politics.

I think the statement is a bit shortsighted. Yes you learn a lot while working with professionals, but a lot of things that you learn also become irrelevant in case of permanent remote work! You also end up learning a tons of things building a career remotely, which you probably will never get exposure to while working in an office. Different playing fields, different games I guess.

I mean, he's not wrong. there's only so much of zoom pro and slack-ing would help. I find out more when I'm overhearing various bits and pieces and then go for the docs.

Being in office for the first 2 years of my career greatly helped me to get a head start on the technical front. I would not have got that headstart if I am in isolation TBH and working remotely like I am now.

Working from an office is like staying in hostel during college years, one needs to experience it at least once in life. But one can't stay in college and hostel until they retire. 🤷‍♂️ P.S. Sorry if it's a bad analogy. 🙈

Anecdotally, what I see in my team: • All the experienced folks (devs as well as managers, including myself) are mostly happy with remote working and advocate for it. • All the youngsters (especially fresh grads) are asking me every day when can they come back to office because they miss the feel of office, and think it's harder to learn about things which they are not directly related to. We do most/all of the things that people talk about (video calls for work and casual things, document everything meticulously, all discussions happen in public i.e. on bugs, docs etc instead of 1:1, we discuss lot of casual things on chat groups, lots of special interest email/chat groups, meetups etc) But they still feel that being in office for sometime with their seniors will help them more. Personally, I know that a lot of the future is remote and want to make sure/learn what all we can do to make this easier on people. But I do feel that remote working is harder on young folks. At the same time, I do not want to make any choices/judgments on any irrespective of whether they are young or old. They may function better in office or remotely, it's their choice and I respect it.

I do not want to make any choices/judgments on any irrespective of whether they are young or old. They may function better in office or remotely, it's their choice and I respect it.

I definitely function better remotely. Remote work is bliss for me and it makes me so much happier, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I don't think remote has stopped me in any way from learning new things nor has it stopped me from trying to improve my craft. Sure maybe I could've maximized more through osmosis, but I still wouldn't prefer it. Working with a remote first team could also be why I feel this way. Almost all of us align well with the async philosophy and have been using discord voice/screen channels as co-working spaces since a long time.

100% agree, brainstorming, creativity and everything has taken a hit. Anyways, if you work for a big company then you might not experience this. The issue is that most people don't realise what they miss. Can learn a lot more in smaller companies. Finding mentors, learning etc is easier. A balance betwen WFH and work in office would be great.