The futility of cubes

So my company just moved offices. In the process they changed from real offices (with doors!) to cubes. So here we are 5 days into our "Open Workplace" environment and I have to say that I am not real impressed. It isn't that I haven't worked in cubes before; I have. That is what made being in an office all the sweeter because I have an appreciation of how sucky cubes really are.

When we arrived on monday there was a nice informational packet in our assigned work area with tips on topics such as:

• Keep It Down!
  
• Keep it to Yourself
• What's that Smell?
• Get a Room!

Overall the point of this brocure was to try and 'blunt' the painful nasty experience that is working in the bullpen. They ackowledge up front that it sucks and it is difficult.

The fact that this is corporate worldwide policy makes it all the worse. They are very proud to point out that they do not care about efficieny, productivity or quality of work... only facilities costs. "Our products are no longer as high quality but we saved a lot in construction costs."
My co-workers agree with the drop in overall productivity with comments like. "I have gotten about 1/2 day of actual work done."

I guess I will get over it in time. I have no choice. This is the way the world works these days: resistance if futile.