I'll jump on this completely out of context and say that if I'm ever forced to work with another human being permanently glued to my side, watching my every move, and requiring constant maintenance in terms of explanation and synchronized breaks, I'll happily resign on the spot. Programming is an intensely internal task, usually performed by introverted people. Forcing them into this kind of setup should be counted as torture.
Before you disagree, consider how many other professions have pair-working in any shape or form. Is there any pair-management going on? How about pair-assembly line working? Yes, multiple people work on an assembly line - but they are performing different tasks, not just checking up on each other in real time, 8 hours per day! People work in teams, I get that, and it requires interaction between team members. But name me one team where there are two people permanently assigned to literally the same task, with no goals other than 'improving efficiency'. It's just amazing that anyone would put up with that.
Before you disagree, consider how many other professions have pair-working in any shape or form. Is there any pair-management going on? How about pair-assembly line working? Yes, multiple people work on an assembly line - but they are performing different tasks, not just checking up on each other in real time, 8 hours per day! People work in teams, I get that, and it requires interaction between team members. But name me one team where there are two people permanently assigned to literally the same task, with no goals other than 'improving efficiency'. It's just amazing that anyone would put up with that.