[jasonv]

Isn't that at odds with the whole point of this post (which I'm not even sure I agree with)..?

People want to be in the same space so they can have small, in-person interactions. Those have softer priorities than intentional communications.

Working in offices, people often do "swing by" and ask if it's a good time to talk about something. It's socializing the issue. If you say "no" and they come back later -- or you go find them, it has all worked out.