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Comment by axx | Hacker News Reader

I think there is a deeper Problem with our attention span and concentration ability when people need this type of "noise".

If people feel the need to hear "café noise", maybe it's just a sign of loneliness?

And if you need white/pink/whatever-noise, maybe your office should integrate some noise policies or try to reduce noise by giving offices to small teams of people.

I get that people use those audio streams and soundfiles to "shut off distractions", but to me, this is only a fix to a bigger problem.

Edit: Maybe someone should start beerbarsound.com, so you feel like you're out drinking with your friends, but in reality you're sitting at home/the office, working, without any friends.

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> If people feel the need to hear "café noise", maybe it's just a sign of loneliness?

Yes. It is somehow at times comforting to hear humans speaking, even if they are not choosing to speak to me.

The age old introvert vs extrovert comes to mind.

These days society seems to be run by extroverts, for extroverts, and little if any regard is given to introverts.

These days?

I think it's always been like that, and these days we're starting to recognize that introversion isn't a deficiency, it's just how some people are wired (and doesn't necessarily equate to "shy" or "awkward")

I think people are all different and what helps one person focus may not work for someone else. I focus better at a coffee shop and/or with music playing. It has nothing to do with loneliness, it's just what makes me more productive. If sitting quietly at home works better for you, do that.

I am pretty sure the conclusion of the study posted on HN some weeks ago which concludes that music as a boost method for working is subjective and wrong could apply to café ambiance.

> [M]aybe your office should integrate some noise policies or try to reduce noise by giving offices to small teams of people.

Oh sure, I'll just meet with HR and Facilities to rearrange the 100-cube farm so people are in rooms when they feel like talking.</sarcasm>

In a small company, this might work, but you're probably missing out if you don't hear the conversation. If your group is big enough that the conversation doesn't relate to you, or isn't important to you, then it's usually big enough that you're powerless to change it.

that's the case for me (a sign of loneliness)

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