58-year-old NYU professor goes viral for telling young folks they “need to be out of the house for success”
When Professor Scott Galloway of New York University spoke at the Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council Summit, his views on remote work sparked controversy. Known for challenging traditional thinking, Galloway, who teaches marketing and co-hosts the popular Pivot podcast, expressed a rather outdated perspective, saying, “You should never be at home. That’s what I always tell young people. Home is for seven hours of sleep and that’s it… You need to be out of the house.”
In today’s post-pandemic world, such views seem out of touch. Galloway, who is 58 years old, believes that the amount of time spent at home negatively impacts professional and romantic success. However, his comments have reignited the debate over remote work, its social implications, and whether older generations truly understand the challenges faced by Gen Z.
To be fair, Galloway does have some valid points. He emphasizes the importance of relationships for a successful career and has expressed concerns about the rise in loneliness and declining mental health among young people. However, it’s important to note that mental decline can also be attributed to stress caused by factors like micromanagement in traditional office settings.
Galloway’s comments went viral on TikTok, and younger users on the platform pushed back against his perspective. They highlighted the economic climate and the costs associated with commuting, dismissing his views as a blend of “hustle culture” and consumerism. Comments also pointed out the high cost of rent and the expenses of traveling and eating out while going to the office. Some argued that stepping out of the house meant spending a significant amount of money.
Housing costs were another key factor raised by many in the comments section. For some, if they are already paying a large portion of their monthly income on rent, they prefer to enjoy their own space. BuzzFeed staff writer Krista Torres observed that the younger generations seemed united and passionate about this issue.
Supporters of remote work also pointed out the benefits of online dating, the proximity to family and pets, and the positive impact on happiness and life satisfaction, even if it might affect career progression.
While younger workers favor remote work, many older business leaders are eager to bring employees back to the office. Companies like JP Morgan, Citibank, Goldman Sachs, Snap, and Tesla have already called employees back to the workplace. Tesla CEO Elon Musk even went as far as calling remote work “morally wrong,” although he provided no factual evidence to support this claim.
Research by McKinsey shows that more than half (58%) of Americans work from home at least once a week. Additionally, Upwork predicts that by 2025, 36.2 million Americans may work remotely. Workers have reported increased happiness, satisfaction, and productivity while working from home. However, a recent study by economists from Harvard, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and the University of Iowa suggests that remote employees may experience slower career progression due to a lack of feedback.
To strike a balance, research from Stanford University suggests a hybrid work environment. This approach involves coming into the office a few days a week while working remotely for the rest of the time, allowing employees to build relationships and advance their careers while still benefiting from the flexibility of remote work.
Galloway’s perspective on remote work revolves around a definition of financial success that prioritizes work over all else. However, many workers today value different aspects of life and define success in alternative ways.
It is essential to note that this article provides information and should not be considered as advice. It is provided without any warranties.
