Alter-Nomad: Infrastructures of Mobility

Globalization is supported by infrastructures of mobility: transport hubs such as airports, but also ITC infrastructures and distributed workspaces, among others. The notion of distributed workspace is of particular interest to me. We hear a lot about coworking spaces - workplaces shared by several companies any individual can join for a membership fee. Traveling while working is a dream to many, yet the precarity resulting from high mobility is an obstacle when you need to get work done. Coworking spaces are commonly presented as a solution for remote workers. A place where you can meet people at events organized throughout the year, and more importantly, get work done. I spent two months in two different coworking spaces in Asia. They are highly overrated.

Getting work done is all about your ability to focus for a long stretch of time. “Deep work” as Cal Newport puts it. Coworking spaces are mostly open spaces: distractions are everywhere. What you end up with is a so-called collaborative space where everyone is either wearing headphones or locked in small sound-proof boxes you have to book for an additional fee. It’s no different from a regular corporate office space, so why bother attaining the freedom offered by digital nomadism if it is wasted in such a manner?

Coworking spaces are also expensive. The famous Dojo Bali costs $80 per 50-hour workweek or $200 for unlimited monthly access, which is a minimum wage in Indonesia. Needless to say, you won’t meet many locals working here, unless their companies are paying for them. Even if they do, they won’t have time to exchange with you. I am not traveling to be constantly surrounded by the same cultural bubble. Traveling is all about meeting people fundamentally different, culturally and economically speaking. Coworking spaces are popular thanks to the club effect around them, but paying for a monthly pass will neither help you get work done in an optimal fashion or socialize.

Instead of joining a coworking space, look for your right work/social balance. Make deep and impactful work from either home, libraries or coffee shops. In that order depending on the opportunities offered by your environment. Train yourself to work in those conditions. Develop your adaptability skills. If you are not born a digital nomad, at least you can become one. For the social part, live locally. Go talk to people in the street and bartenders. Attend public meetups and free social events. They are plenty. You even might attend events organized by coworking spaces for free, while avoiding all the negative fuss. Networking events can be a good thing, but you’d better be off visiting or learning about the local environment. It might seem hard, keep in mind you don’t make meaningful connections and go meaningful work without effort. Why people still join coworking spaces in the end? It’s hype. They didn’t learn not to think in terms of workplace. They didn’t learn how to create a sustainable work environment for personal growth. You might think you are an extrovert needing the extra noise to get work done. No, you need to work less, at a higher level of focus, and you must go out more.

There is but one situation where you should join a coworking space, and that is when all other infrastructures fail to provide you a comfortable environment to work from. I spent three months in Penang this year.