Comments on: Groupthink: Not an argument against coworking

By: Kira Woodmansee

Kira Woodmansee — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:43:05 +0000

Having managed a coworking space for a year now (one Alyson referenced at Boulder Digital Arts), I can definitely say that it’s all about being able to choose your level of interaction. Coworking is different from the open-office plan because the relationships between the workers don’t come pre-defined. Your colleague at the next desk isn’t working on the same project you are – unless you choose to collaborate – and as a result, our space is fairly quiet even when it’s full. Most people who check out our space are looking for a level of interaction they can control, and coworking provides the opportunity for socialization without making it obligatory.

By: Alyson B. Miller

Alyson B. Miller — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:05:22 +0000

Give the success of the co-working space at Boulder Digital Arts, I’d have to say the entrepreneurs who feel isolated but need a mix of quiet and collaboration have found their ideal solution. Truth is total isolation is NEVER good for innovation – leaves a person out of the flow of resources & opportunities for implementation.

By: Jeff Donaldson

Jeff Donaldson — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:18:30 +0000

Very sorry I put an extra “e” in your name. <:)

By: Jeff Donaldson

Jeff Donaldson — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:17:02 +0000

Sheirea, I think you’re right on. I think most people go through their work day and periods of time to crank, procrastinate, socialize, think, meet with clients, etc. What I’ve seen now is that the best coworking spaces accommodate for all those “moods” in a day.

By: Sheira Furse

Sheira Furse — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 02:31:17 +0000

Even as an extreme extravert, I do my best work by balancing collaboration with solo think time, and co-working spaces provide the option to enjoy both.

By: Peter Wood

Peter Wood — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 02:25:38 +0000

At the end of the day it’s all about ideas.
How you get them shouldn’t be over intellectualized. I’m sensing that may be happening here.

By: Bshane

Bshane — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:57:08 +0000

Most creative people I’ve asked say they consider themselves both introverted and extroverted. Starbucks deserves some credit for launching the co-working movement by acting as a beacon for home-officed people uncomfortable with unmitigated solitude. Jeff’s point is well taken, that co-working facilities are qualitatively different from coffee shops in in that they offer interaction as well as proximity.

By: davidmoffitt

davidmoffitt — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:31:30 +0000

@Jeff pretty much nails it, I’m an extrovert and for me, founding Coworking Rochester meant bringing in people to bounce ideas off of, share lunch with, go out for beers later – but I also see that a good number of our members are happy to withdraw into a world of headphones, the laptop screen, etc. Nothing wrong with either, but I think what Cain missed (and why I agree so much with this article) is that Coworking allows for both, it’s by no means a one-size fits all model (excited to see pictures of yours too btw, hit us up on twitter – @coworkingroc / @davidmoffitt).

By: Jeff Donaldson

Jeff Donaldson — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:34:48 +0000

Look at any crowded coffee shop and you will see most people working on their computers there are isolated. Headphones, no eye contact, no talking with others. In an environment with such great energy for ideas, nobody works together. Co-working allows both extroverts and introverts to leverage the thinking and skills of others if and when they want to. It’s an infrastructure that gives back exponentially when the community contributes to it.

Jeff Donaldson
Owner Scrib Co-Working Boulder, CO
http://www.scrib.co