The one thing that I like about startups more is the camaraderie you have with your teammates. That plus interesting work makes startups a hands down winner over cubicle life.

That's why you have online and offline backups.

It's interesting to see how he states that his remote work arrangement would not have been as productive as him moving.

I found this interesting too, maybe it is due to his role as a developer advocate?

I find when I am not working remote, I have to put in 4 more hrs/day to get the same amount of work done...

I think it may have much to do with his role. See the job posting: https://developers.google.com/jobs/

If your job is to be an advocate for employees at your employer, it is likely better to be around those people, rather than just at the other end of a Hangout. I'm guessing that interacting with people around the office is a critical part of that role.

I think that's company culture friction ... if a group of people primarily works from an office, it takes a serious effort to accommodate remote workers.