Not trying to be snarky, but you can't or you won't? At some point do you wonder if it's a problem you should look at addressing?

I'm all about optimizing the work environment, but saying you can't work with talking around you comes across as entitled.

It's not entitled, I just have serious issues focusing when there's other noise around me. I also have trouble hearing when there's background noise (I can't understand what's being said on the tv when the dishwasher is running in the next room, but I can understand it fine without the background noise; same volume).

You can’t or you won’t work standing in a ditch with mud up to your knees?

You can’t or you won’t work in a chair that gives you a mild electric shock every 49 seconds?

Here’s a question: when your work environment is hostile to focusing on work that needs focus, what exactly is the point of distinguishing between can’t and won’t?

The difference is that very few people work in those environments. Many have worked in noisy office environments for at least the past century.

I'm sympathetic to someone who can't/won't work in those conditions. The good news is that, if they're in tech, they probably have alternatives--something which many don't have. Insisting on remote work or other conditions that allow them to work in peace and quiet may not optimize for salary or career. But everyone should at least consider what's important for them.

Keep in mind the person I commented to said they cannot work with any talking going on (and later said any noise). In what world is hearing people talk considered hostile?

I'm in an office today and can hear people talking nearby, is that too loud? At some point it becomes my problem if I'm bothered by something.