Call it what you want but that advice comes from experience. I worked remote for many years before pandemic and had plenty of issues with isolation.

Sometimes in life socialization comes easy and requires no work, but that's not always the case. This is a common problem people face once they leave high school/college. The truth is that real social relationships, the ones that keeps us more fulfilled take work.

I realized that to not feel lonely all the time when working at home I had to put some effort into making sure I reached out to friends, scheduled lunches and calls (which can happen during that 6 hour period, that's one of the benefits of WFH), make sure I went to local meetups etc. The end result was that from that effort I made some fantastic friendships that were much more fulfilling.

Even in the OP's current work environment a little more deliberate effort can go a long a way. I'm sure other coworkers feel the same way, if they pair programmed in the office why not reach out and schedule some pairing sessions? I've know many remote places that do this. Schedule virtual coffees during the day where two people can just chat, again something I've seen at many remote places.

Yes, for decades people could get a basic level of socialization for no effort, but like most no effort things that socialization goes as easy as it comes.

Having been in a similar situation to OP, that was the lesson I learned so that's the advice I'm giving, which I hardly think is tone deaf.

What's tone deaf and patronizing about your responses is that you assume that your personal working style is the best and only one for every person. Imagine not understanding that different people are different, and as a result may have working styles that are different too.

Where are you getting that I'm assuming that "personal working style is the best and only one for every person"? I am recommending what worked for me. It's a bit different than the question the OP ask's but, given a similar situation, it's what has worked.

I suspected you my be projecting a bit of your own insecurities here.

Unfortunately HN has become an increasing hostile place, and I think rather extreme reactionary response to a simple recommendation is becoming the norm.

In a weird way, thanks for finally waking me up to the realization that is community is not what it was and not one where I should be spending time anymore.

I have no idea why these two users are taking such an uncharitable view of what you wrote. It's sad and offensive.

HN, by the mere fact that it is a discussion community, is about sharing perspectives and opinions. No one here is forced to read or believe anything anyone else says.

I appreciated your comments and would hate to see you go.

I have this too.

Listening to music when the programming task is simple helps me somewhat. Apparently, it scratches part of the "social itch".

YMMV

I'd much prefer to work alone and in silence than in an open office, or cube, or commute...

I can focus on what I'm doing when I'm alone. It's definitely preferable when writing things like code or copy, which is majorly stressful if other people are in the room.

If I feel like chatting, I can go to the cafe, talk to a neighbor. Even meeting the same UPS guy every day is kind of nice and makes me feel like my home is part of a regular community.

It feels much more natural than spending a good portion of my day on the freeway or in an office and just using my home for a place to sleep.