Open office layouts have become the default for startups and tech companies, but my experience across three different workplaces tells me they're a net negative for deep work. The constant background chatter and visual distractions make it nearly impossible to focus on complex tasks for more than 15 minutes at a stretch, and I've seen productivity drop by at least 30% compared to when I had a dedicated desk in a quieter setting. Even though collaboration is important, forcing everyone into the same room trades away too much cognitive performance for occasional spontaneous discussions. Would you agree that open offices do more harm than good, or do you genuinely find them beneficial for how you work?