Communications of the ACM
Would You Pay $40 a Month to Have Strangers Watch You Work?
With no clear end to remote work in sight for many white-collar employees, some are trying to import something more elusive into their home offices: the feeling of accountability (or simply guilt) that comes from being observed by others while at work.
Credit: George Wylesol
At the start of a Caveday session, gentle music plays. A facilitator welcomes the participants — a group of strangers, there to work toward their personal goals — and may share inspirational quotes. It's not yoga class. It's a Zoom room and the dozens of people logged on have paid to work in silence for an hour or three with people they do not know looking on.
For a monthly fee of $39.99, users can schedule unlimited sessions in Zoom "caves." There, it's possible to watch fellow workers furrow their brows and scratch their heads, as they work toward stated goals ranging from "brainstorm outline" to "find clarity."
Two and a half years into working from home, many people are finding that a desk and a chair — even if it's a really nice ergonomic one purchased with a company stipend — do not an office make.
From The New York Times
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