[tpm]

A bit overblown? I literally could not do my work in the working environment I was supposed to (open space) because of the constant noise from coworkers. That was at a time when ANC technology wasn't very good and I left for this and other reasons.

[JohnFen]

This. I quit a very high-paying job at a very well-known tech company because they shifted to an open office environment. It was not only exceedingly unpleasant, but it eliminated my ability to work.

[nradov]

I find that hard to believe. Some of the mechanical engineers that I know do much of their work out on factory floors that are constantly noisier than any office. And I guarantee that what they're doing is at least as complex and intellectually challenging as anything you've ever done.

I'm all for improved working conditions but some software developers are entirely too precious. What we do isn't special.

[tpm]

You sound exactly like a manager that would put everyone into a open space and then could not understand why the productivity goes down like a rock. Yeah, people told you and you chose to ignore them.

[TheNewsIsHere]

A lot of people substitute their own experiences and reality for that of the people they interact with.

“This coffee isn’t hot to me, so it can’t be hot to you.”