I cannot stand open layouts for coders. I am very rigid about only working at places that respect coders. That means an ergonomic environment (desk, chair, monitors, et al), with good lighting. It also means either providing a quiet work environment with no visual distractions, or allowing work from home 2-3 days a week.

Small start-up environments are great for this. In my experience, seeing the work environment for coders is an excellent predictor of team happiness, productivity, and ultimately company success.

You are right. It is a little too harsh toward Ed.

I think the general point is correct, though. The management failure here is much deeper. The culture apparently tolerates interruption of important work. Firedrills over relatively trivial problems. Leaning back and watching teammates fumble. And just generally not solving problems in efficient ways, looking for and resolving root causes.

It is clear that Ed is not happy or fired up. The company sounds lame. I'm sure this is not the first time something like this has happened. Otherwise, why complain about it? And rather than leaning back and watch the slow motion car wreck over and over, I think erdevs is right... this is pretty lazy and lame. The company sounds lame too. Seems like the Hacker Way would have Ed either leaving such a lame place, or intervening at this place to try to help level the company up as best he can.