It definitely feels harder to break ground on a project when you can't easily have a brief chat with someone (need to instead schedule a meeting that defaults to 30m), go look at something your coworker has pulled up on their screen, easily sketch something out on a whiteboard.
On the other hand, there are some benefits to formalizing things. For example, by being more rigorous in defining an approach to a problem you can more easily identify roadblocks. Also I think some people I work with prefer articulating themselves over text as opposed to face to face, so for them serendipity (in terms of creative output) is probably actually improved.
We have tried to "manufacture serendipity" by having unstructured video chats but it usually ends up feeling cliquey (too small groups of friends, people feel excluded) or too awkward (too many people, not enough rapport for conversation to flow easily). I think the problem of building rapport is the biggest issue.
On the other hand, there are some benefits to formalizing things. For example, by being more rigorous in defining an approach to a problem you can more easily identify roadblocks. Also I think some people I work with prefer articulating themselves over text as opposed to face to face, so for them serendipity (in terms of creative output) is probably actually improved.
We have tried to "manufacture serendipity" by having unstructured video chats but it usually ends up feeling cliquey (too small groups of friends, people feel excluded) or too awkward (too many people, not enough rapport for conversation to flow easily). I think the problem of building rapport is the biggest issue.