groupthink revisited

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/15/opinion/sunday/the-rise-of-the-new-groupthink.html

Although I do like the independence of being in a one-person virtual office, it does get very isolating (read: lonely) without the water-cooler / coffee-break conversation.  So I try to get down to the coffee shop in the center of town in the morning some days of the week, and make an effort to set up lunch meet-ups with other virtual office workers in town.

I do recall that I do my best and most innovative work after the house has gone to bed and I have my late conversation with Ted Koppel and Nightline.  Fewer distractions are key to a concentrated effort,  which is a hopeless mission during the day, when emails and instant messages are arriving by the moment.

Even learning a new piece of music is best done alone, before joining with others (if playing with a group).