Arlo posted this Big Think interview with Jason Fried of 37signals regarding why the modern workplace is designed to not let you get any work done. On the whole, I agree with most of the points he makes. I'd even add that Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, Google Reader, etc all add to the distraction possibilities - although those are self-controlled, not external factors at work.

The one flaw in the entire argument is that it assumes all workers are self motivated to actually get things done. I'd venture to say that in a large majority of work spaces around the country that, if given the opportunity, people will sit and do nothing. 37signals is a progressive place where the employees are invested and involved in creating something - a random person at an insurance agency, not so much. But beyond that, I think it is solid thinking and could probably be adopted by a very large number of creative shops to help streamline their process.