For the past two years or so, I’ve been working remote and have always pushed back against the idea of returning to the office (mainly because the reasons my company gives are bullshit)
But like, I admit that there is something about talking to/interacting with people in person that can’t be replicated by virtual means. My hunch says that it is something hard-wired in humans through hundreds and thousands of years of evolution. We’re animals after all and I’m not sure whether a remote lifestyle is sustainable
I wonder if different neurons fire when speaking with someone in person as opposed to virtually
I was gonna come in here and say, for me there isn't a difference. But I've been sitting here thinking about it and I don't think that's true. And I actually have the opposite takeaway and I think covid helped me realize it.
Going to an office or hanging out with friends in public is physically draining to me. Not in a negative way but I legitimately find it exhausting and after a while I just get desperate to go home. That being said, I realized this does not happen to me while interacting with people online. Whether it be social media, texting, phone calls, zoom, or discord. I can talk all day long as long as I'm not forced to do it in person, and the whole thing has been a net positive for my mental health.
So I guess I agree there is a difference but I wouldn't agree that it's always a positive one, just depends on who you're asking.