Ask HN: Have you ever tried working in a VR office? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Have you ever tried working in a VR office?

9 pointsmuzani5 comments

I have a fairly cramped home office. I realise I'm much more productive in large open areas despite no monitors or mechanical keyboards. I don't actually move into these areas, I just sit/stand at my desk much of the time.

I'm wondering if there might be a lifehack of going into a virtual space to get more space. Has anyone tried this?

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I kind of feel like this would make the obesity epidemic much worse. Hybrid and remote work already kind of have their own issues with social isolation. As the use of KPIs rise for many hybrid and remote workers being able to leave during the workday to do other aspects of life will likely be frowned upon.

Surprisingly many offices found an increase in productivity in remote and hybrid work though, it came at a cost of longer hours and night schedules. A part of me is terrified of what VR work would look like. Having your boss being able to see what you're looking at and what you're doing is not a very comforting thing.

> Having your boss being able to see what you're looking at and what you're doing is not a very comforting thing.

That's an issue for all 3 types of work. In office, remote, or VR-office remote. Boss can already anonymously see your screen in all 3 variants. Not all companies do that, but it's a general issue, not a "VR office" issue.

> I kind of feel like this would make the obesity epidemic much worse.

I've had a much different experience. I am able to do quick kettlebell sets and a few pullup sets through the work day when I am remote. In office I don't do that. And spend 2-3 hours commuting (sitting) on top of that.

I would much rather experiment with decoration and decluttering. VR still seems dystopian and depressing, or perhaps I haven't been exposed long enough to just accept it as normal like we do with phone staring.

Do you have any personal tech projects that you could dump in favor of some nontechnical activity, so you could get out of the office more, and maybe feel less oppressed when you're there?

(Note: I'm super biased here and like, 80% of my current philosophy on tech is just getting rid of small scale experimental hacky stuff, or if it's cool enough to keep doing, keeping it contained and not building it into your life, and I realize a lot of people deeply enjoy being surrounded by custom things made for one person).

Some articles that might be of interest:

- https://www.newyorker.com/culture/office-space/can-virtual-r...

- https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/15/7393

- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frvir.2022.8907...

If space is a concern I'd venture a guess that you live in a dense urban area. Try buying a batterypack + low-end smartphone to use as a hotspot, and go outside to work. To a park, or a cafe, or if you can afford it, a coworking space. It'll do you some good to see other people and/or the sun.

VR is, in my opinion, a walled garden being sold to companies looking to justify some budgets. I'd explain but my post looks negative enough already, it is left as an exercise to the reader.

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