In the senior realm here - would love to chat with folks over lunch, brainstorm, assist, mentor, guide, etc. Can't do that AND be expected to deliver code at a 'full time' expected pace. What I would be delivering is... some code, some guidance, some assistance, etc. I've seen inside enough places to know that many senior folks end up being guarded and solitary because the deadlines aren't ever set to accomodate that sort of work. You're a 'Senior Developer(tm)' and the measuring stick is... lines of code.

Orgs get what they measure for. If your team values that sort of interactivity and support, it will ... observe it, measure it, and hire for that sort of person. I've seen groups evolve towards that, and they've been great, but it doesn't seem to be a default - most groups/orgs have to work towards it and and keep working at it.

The last two jobs I've had ended up with teams spread across multiple offices and time zones. I don't hate the idea of coming in to the office, but every time I do I end up only talking with people from other cities on calls anyway.

That said, I completely agree. I learned most of what I know from being in the same room with senior developers and asking questions. Something that just isn't happening these days.