Remote or Office Working?

 

Since covid there has been much talk about remote working, and the dangers and requirements in going back to offices. For me it's all about choice, as it is for most people, if people want to meet personally then fine, if it's over electronically that’s fine too. Why can't we allow both? There is obviously a need for it, and finally the technology is there.

 

There is something more human about meeting and being closer. I keep hearing the words in my head, “why when we can reach out instantly to the world are we still feeling lonely". Upon research I found that potentially it's more intrinsic. Eric Barker in his book ,plays well with others, he talks about our need for sharing, doing the right things by ourselves, in a couple, or in communities. He talks about how friendships and relationships are built and why we have a need for such things.

 

For instance, did you know that the Neanderthals had 15% bigger brains than us, they were smarter, and taught us things like using tools and art.  However, sapiens did better because of community, wanting and needing to be together more (Eric Barker, plays well with others @bakadesuyo). Something perhaps we forget in our search for electronic expediency. Apparently, research from Darwins theory also confirms this, it’s not all about survival of the fittest, we survived because we have a need to be together. Being together is better for us and has made us achieve a lot. It is why we’re at the apex in the world.

 

I'm personally a fan of technology, but I am realising the need more and more to connect at a personal level. Thankfully we have the choice to do both. Let's appreciate that, for those who can't or are afraid (yes covid still out there) let's give them the options. The important thing is we talk, share, love and get together when we can. Allowing for our needs and wants.

 

Another thing let's not go backwards, if we keep harking at how things we're  better in the old days we probably would have stayed in the caves and not progressed further. We did walk from the caves, into the light though which was good. Yet, as humans it is also our nature to continue to make mistakes, we will always do so. However, these are good, we mustn't ignore these but learn   them and move forward; take the good from looking back and try and incorporate it in what we have.  So we have/do both, use technology to its max, however don't let technology control us. We can put down the phone, turn it off, and go meet and talk to someone. Use it as a resource not a essential part of being. 

To conclude, we need to use technology as a supplement, an option for those in need, (including many disabled and elderly) and a benefit  for those who like to be more personal. Yet, at the heart of the remote working debate remains the need for choice.