> I think the hardest thing remote work has to replicate is just random small talk between smart people that can lead to great ideas.

Some of the world's most used and innovative software was crafted by smart people all over the world whose small talk was mediated almost entirely over email, BBS, IRC etc.

This continues to be the case, it's just the mediums have changed slightly, while they're still mostly text-based, there's also the multimedia-based methods thanks to things like ubiquitous video, voice and conference calling.