I am not sure if "open plan" offices are the best for programming productivity. Even early books like "Peopleware" bemoan the chaotic and reactive atmosphere to be highly unproductive as it interrupts the flow.
Even recent studies [1] show that open plan office are detrimental to employee health. At least Google seems to have a good mix of cubicles and individual rooms.
I had looked, prior to my first comment. Most of his Atlantic posts don't generate many or any points, individually. If his theatlantic post-frequency is our only signal, I'd just as soon have the same assumptions for nytimes, economist, or bloomberg -- look past the last 30 submissions. I still suspect we are only witnessing a guy who submits "all the things" from the homepage of <insert today's favorite source>, and possibly just got lucky, today, with a slow and late night; though, one of the submissions is pushing 60 comments, as of this post.
Even recent studies [1] show that open plan office are detrimental to employee health. At least Google seems to have a good mix of cubicles and individual rooms.
[1]: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5isNavMO9o...