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jnordwick10/12/20241 replyview on HN

The title of the article doesn't match the rest. Productivity is getting more from the same inputs, not getting more with more inputs.

First, there is very little data and just a couple conjectures thrown around. There isn't much substantive evidence of what it claims.

Second, even if people aren't commuting, it just assumes people work the same hours, but many people are probably working longer hours so you can't tell the impact on WFH on productivity.

Third, it doesn't look at outputs at all, especially the output of the company. While some (or even all) individuals might produce more, the group as a whole will have less communication and each employee might have less context of what else is going on in the company, so much of their contribution might not align as well with company objectives. Management of all the individuals would be more difficult and the company would be less of a team. This would support the idea that the increased productivity is only available to well managed groups. I think this sounds much more likely.

Fourth, much of the increase explained is from widening the labor pool. It explicitly mentions those with disabilities, stay at home mothers, and larger geographical inclusion. This isn't increasing productivity, just increasing the labor input.

This is more an opinion piece with some hand waving than actual proof


Replies

dangerlibrary10/12/2024

> This is more an opinion piece with some hand waving than actual proof

Pot, meet kettle. Kettle, this is pot.