I recently shared a screenshot of a pop-up note from Slack, the group-chat software my colleagues and I use, with the caption, “Oh, a fresh, more focused Slack.” Little did I know, this update would cause a wave of complaints and frustrations. Some even jokingly declared they would take the rest of the month off and resort to sending physical memos on personal letterheads. Our executive editor, Adrienne LaFrance, expressed her disdain towards the new format by stating, “all my slacks are: I hate the new slack.” As the discussions continued, it became apparent that this change was more than just a simple software update.
What made this change so significant was that it revealed a harsh reality: office work now mirrors social media more than traditional office environments. The new Slack update, despite claiming to be “more focused,” introduced a dedicated “Activity” tab that meticulously documented users’ every move on the platform. The overwhelming amount of notifications and alerts, separated into different tabs, only added to the chaos. This overload of information has become synonymous with modern office work.
Historically, the wealthy sought idleness as the ultimate goal. However, even they succumbed to the allure of workism. The busyness of one’s professional life became a symbol of importance and status. When asked about their workload, individuals often respond with, “Oh, busy,” as if being constantly occupied is a badge of honor. The rat race provides a sense of purpose. But in reality, everything would still function without them.
Technological advances have exacerbated this illusion. The constant ringing of office phones, the never-ending influx of emails, and the ability to access these messages from any location have all contributed to the same effect. Although office chat software is nothing new, with platforms like ICQ and AOL Instant Messenger available in the 1990s, Slack offered a distinct product at the perfect time. It emerged as the internet dominated everyday life and embodied a “casual, effortless culture” that resonated with companies, particularly those in the tech and media industries, during the Obama administration. Slack was the antithesis of email – vibrant, enjoyable, and youthful.
Social media, another prevalent technology of that era, shared the same qualities. As smartphones evolved, platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn engulfed users in an infinite scroll of content. Although email and blogging had already started the process, social media took it to another level by flooding feeds with countless posts and users. Consuming all this content was impossible, but intermittently engaging with it provided instant gratification – something to love or hate. These two emotions seemed to blend together in the online realm.
Social media transformed individuals into exaggerated versions of themselves, creating an “online persona” that often deviated from their true selves. As social networks expanded from private domains to global platforms, performance became central. Clever remarks, provocative photos, funny memes, and viral videos all played a role in shaping people’s online personas, designed to attract attention. Eventually, posting became an end in itself, driven by the pursuit of likes, shares, and growing a following to monetize. Individuals transformed into influencers or creators, professionals specialized in crafting social media content.
From the beginning, Slack exuded a hip vibe that aligned it more with social media rather than traditional enterprise chat tools. Its colorful interface, emoji support, and custom emoji options created a sense of familiarity akin to social media platforms. In companies heavily reliant on Slack, popular channels flow with posts at the same pace as a social media feed, accompanied by notifications like “several people are typing.” This mirrors the work culture of a generation that perceives work and the internet as inseparable.
Ironically, Slack embraces both the positive and negative aspects of social media. It blurs the lines between a work-chat self, a work self, and an entire self. Like on social media, the urge to participate, react, or voice opinions dominates Slack conversations, even at the expense of actual work. Extreme positions and hot takes prevail, turning workplace discussions into echo chambers. Even the exaggerated reactions of my Atlantic colleagues towards Slack’s rebranding reveal how the software and the moment combined to create share-worthy content.
Slack’s latest redesign pushes the boundaries even further, making the software resemble social media even more. The interface is designed to keep users engaged within the program, diverting attention away from actual work. Unread posts are marked with colorful circles, and channel names remain bold until scrolled through, constantly beckoning users to return. Why pick up the phone for a call when you can have an audio “huddle” within a direct message? Slack demands more attention than email ever did, despite being marketed as a productivity tool to help knowledge workers escape the clutches of their inbox.
Therefore, there is an ironic honesty in my colleagues’ lamentations over Slack’s update. It acknowledges that work has become secondary. While tasks such as making deals, managing employees, designing products, and executing marketing strategies are undoubtedly important for knowledge workers, Slack no longer aids these endeavors but serves as a distraction. Ultimately, what matters most to those using Slack is simply using Slack.
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