Can we learn from the computer game industry? I think so. Here is a fascinating article in pdf format from this gaming design website.

Most important points are:

  • 60 hour+ weeks deliver a brief increase in productivity but you need recovery time right after or productivity plummets.
  • When overwork becomes the norm, people think they’re more productive. They aren’t.
  • Knowledge workers should only work 35 hours/week.
  • One of the main proponents of the 40-hour work week was Kellogg’s. Not out of idealism but because it increased productivity for them.

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