Hacker News Reader

No, I'm not referring to pair programming. That is a dialogue between two people working to get something done (no shame involved).

I'm focussing more on the aspect of having someone looking over your shoulder. Just a pair of eyes to watch you work (which I don't equate with pair programming)

View on HN

I personally think I would be more productive as a pair, in large part (but not entirely), for the same reason as somebody just watching me.

Yes, I'm not questioning whether one would be more productive (I think actually someone would be more productive!). It's the value of this productiveness in the context of manipulating shame. Maybe for you shame is not a factor here, and that's great. I can only know me, and for me, the act of having someone watch over my shoulder (and only watch over my shoulder) as I work would have some level of shame/guilt involved.

Right, me too. I'm just saying that the shame/guilt applies via your coding partner as well. Maybe more so, since they're a peer.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com