AI coders are carrying half-open laptops through airports, offices, ice rinks

3 hours ago

AI enthusiasts often keep laptops ajar in public to let coding agents run without interruption, avoiding loss of progress since many tools rely on local or WiFi connections.
Scenarios include parents at ice rinks, travelers in airports, students in school halls, and professionals in offices, with some feeling embarrassed but others finding community understanding.
Techniques vary from slightly cracked screens to using terminal commands like 'caffeinate' on Macs, or makeshift solutions like turning laptops into 'tacos' or 'clamshells' in bags.
The behavior has become a meme, acknowledged by OpenAI, and reflects a trend where users prioritize continuous AI-assisted coding over conventional laptop etiquette.

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