The bottleneck might be the air in the room
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
High CO2 levels in meeting rooms measurably impair decision-making, yet the cause is invisible to occupants.
The author measures CO2 in meeting rooms, finding levels above 2,000 ppm. Studies show cognitive performance drops significantly at 1,000 ppm and becomes dysfunctional at 2,500 ppm, affecting strategy and planning. A closed room with a few people reaches 1,000 ppm within an hour. The effect is invisible; occupants attribute fatigue to other causes. The author recommends opening windows or doors and suggests that CO2 monitors cost less than an hour of one's time. Remote workers in small home offices face the same issue.
What commenters are saying
Commenters largely agree on the problem but split on solutions. Several advocate for walking meetings, despite acknowledging weather and accessibility limitations. Others push for better async decision-making to reduce meetings altogether. A technical debate emerges over CO2 sensors: the IKEA ALPSTUGA is called inaccurate (thermal conductivity sensor, ±100 ppm plus 10%), while the Aranet4 and SwitchBot Meter Pro CO2 are preferred. One commenter suggests Apple or OEMs integrate CO2 monitors into devices, noting that pulse oximeters cannot detect the relevant oxygen shift.