# Open desk — David Larlet

# Open desk

2018-07-16

> We’re squandering human health and potential on an epic scale by forcing the vast majority of people who dislike or hate the open office into that configuration. Their work deteriorates, their job satisfaction declines. And for what? Because a minority of people kinda like that configuration? Because it’ll look good in a few photos? Because it’ll impress strangers who visit the office? Get outta here.

> The open-plan office is a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad idea (cache)

I couldn’t agree more, each and every time I had to “work” in an open space it was so hard to concentrate I gave up to capitalize on human interactions and get the code done once back alone. Meanwhile, reading the post I realized that my desk at home is almost intentionally left open with random i(nte)rruptions from family. Sometimes it infuriates me, sometimes it get me out of my flow but most of the time it makes me smile. Step back, get at the problem with fresh eyes and happy heart. It matters a lot to me, way more than productivity.

It is important to be able to focus and it is equally important to remember to defocus.

Other articles in English: On caching links, Bushcraft retrospective, Into the Raft, Into the Bugs, Meritocracy crisis, The Seller, the Teacher and the Wise, Into the Good, Into the Mice, Into the Camp, Into the Wind, Into the Snow, Into the Cold, Async Python Frameworks, Distributed teams, Into the Wild, Without JavaScript, Inclusive Python, Micro-cultures and governance, Resilient Web and Tools, Bitcoin and energy, Team building, Inclusive developer, Cultural Intimacy, Tools and teams, Senior developer, Slow Data, Inclusive communities, Delivery and value(s), Collaboration debt, Communities and leadership, Specifications and APIs. Oh, and most of the 2018 thoughts.