[type-r]

It is a shame that by default, Slack is set up to be high-interruption. But this is true of any IM app and I wouldn't necessarily call it a problem of the app itself, I mean they are building an "instant" messenger. I agree with the author that it's normally counter to my own goals (like deep work). But this is a ridiculously easy fix -- you just turn off notifications, whether visual or auditory.

If your workplace requires instant responses over Slack, that's a problem with your employer and/or their culture, not the application.

I personally find Slack to be fine. I have all notifications turned off (including the red badge), and set myself as permanently away. I use it as a lower-latency email, and for that it works quite well.