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> you can still clarify assumptions via chat

Yes, at cost to latency, bandwidth and meeting time (you don’t as easily make 30 second video calls as you nag the person across the monitor).

> conversations about topics tangentially related

Not just that. Conversations about topics that are the responsibility of your colleagues but you still need to understand and challenge.

> communication needs to change when people work remotely

It’s totally possible, but requires a level of written clarity that few programmers can bother. FOSS is fully remote for the most, and it depends on a lot of textual protocols.

The more your job is cut out, the more runway your employer has, the less important you need quick communication.

In any R&D, being present is really beneficial. And office chatter is at the same time insanely annoying. Stand ups that drag into half hours, “let’s break everyone’s flow for a group announcement”, people who wanna smalltalk.

Best of both worlds is a mixture, when the circumstances permit it.

Wearing headphones and avoiding eye contact does wonders — my boss really picks up when I don’t want to talk.



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