In old black and white photos and movies, office workers were always depicted in huge rooms containing multiple desks, where they manned (or womanned) telephones and typewriters. There were no barriers between them and I’m sure while doing their assigned tasks they would interact with each other.
At a certain point in business history, to maximize efficiency, it was decided that workers should be portioned off into separate cubicles.
In the late sixties I briefly worked as a phone solicitor I one of these office cubicles. Being a card carrying citizen of the Woodstock Nation (you know, peace, love, freedom etc.), I found the experience of sitting alone in a box, mind numbing and oppressive.Went out for lunch the first day and never went back. Still needing a job I wound up being one of those longhaired hippie type cabdrivers might hail back in those days…..freedom!
Now , several ages later walking the streets with my 12 ounce Americano in hand, I see a kind of self imposed cubicle surrounding the passing locals.
Loud Bluetooth conversations going by, oblivious to the others within earshot. In coffee bars at single tables everyone on laptops in their own private Idahos.
I don’t know the long term effect. these soft digital walls we’ve created will have on us that’s as they say “above my pay grade” I do know however that my life was enriched by the many random encounters and friendships that wouldn’t have happened if I was headphoned up, and doomscrolling on my smartphone.
