[scyzoryk_xyz]

I work in a small startup doing innovative software/hardware products. Some of the most 'creative' work we have ever done as a team was when the power went out and we finally spent time workshopping what a particular thing should be like with a whiteboard and pieces of paper. That was a defining moment and what we came up with on that day is kind of what we have today.

Some of the best and most valuable insights in our process are captured in recorded IRL onsite sessions with our users. Humans put on a bit of a show when they're remotely connected and that just ruins the process because they just sort of withdraw after they say their bit. I have recordings that prove this - users spontaneously changing their minds or sharing more about how they really feel about something.

I would argue that the best creativity on a team occurs when there are actual meat-skeletons together in a room smelling each others' farts, interrupting each other, eating together, getting excited, getting pissed, whatever etc.

But you are absolutely correct that this is anecdotal and nebulous at best. In the article he mentions how this is better when the product is unclear and unformed yet.

[florbo]

My anecdote is experiencing this same creativity when everyone had pen display and a shared digital whiteboard while on a video call.

[Klinky]

I don't think that's much of an endorsement of in-office collaboration if you need the power to go out to actually focus and get work done.

[scyzoryk_xyz]

Figuring out what a building should look like is different from pouring the cement. It is unfortunate, but in our specific case the team likes getting that cement poured. They focus and they get a lot of work done, only then it has to be re-done as it turns out everyone actually had very different ideas.

This isn’t necessarily a remote/non-remote work problem, but I think that’s why that guy in the original article talks about the benefits of having people in the office.

[Klinky]

Again, how is that a remote problem? Sounds like a leadership, communication & project management problem. Everyone being in an office doesn't magically solve those problems.