Linkarzu Podcast | Neovim, macOS, Emacs, Linux, Terminals and more. The Workflow Debate: Are We All Doing Too Much?
Oct 17, 2025
In this lively discussion, Tony (Linux educator), Henry Misk (workflow engineer), and Joshua Blais (Emacs expert) dive into the complexities of modern work setups. They debate whether multiple screens enhance productivity or complicate workflows, and ponder the merits of ultrawide monitors. The trio shares tips on keyboard-centric workflows and tools like Nix for reproducible environments. Finally, they challenge the notion of over-engineering tools and emphasize the importance of simplicity and practicality in tech.
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Diminishing Returns Of Workflow Tuning
- Workflow engineering can become its own inefficiency when you obsessively optimize tools instead of doing the work.
- Small productivity wins (like LSP go-to-definition) matter, but beyond that returns diminish quickly.
Prefer One Primary Screen
- Use one focused screen for most coding tasks to reduce distraction and context switching.
- Rely on fast app switching (keyboard/workspace shortcuts) instead of multiple monitors for core productivity.
Design For The Laptop First
- Matching your primary screen size to your portable device prevents painful context switches when you move locations.
- Designing a single-app-at-a-time workflow preserves muscle memory across laptop and desktop.