How can you *not* want it?

I think it's so satisfying when you feel one with the code and everything seems to come automatically.

That said, I don't get this often. I think my work environment is just too distracting. Colleagues chatting, open desk office, people walking by, etc.

I guess this feeling doesn't came easy for everyone, and I think programming is not the easiest way to get this feeling. Playing a video game that you are totally into is the easiest way for me nowadays.

When I way a little kid, I could easily achieve this feeling by strong rhythmical body motion (swinging like a stereotypical autistic) and strongly focusing on an interesting object or image. I could "became" one with the object, and it was very satisfying. Without this flow/zone, I can't feel the object enough. Looking at it, holding it, etc is just not enough.

With a very bad analogy it's like desiring a woman, which can totally corrode your mind, but sex can relieve you from that feeling.

But that's getting a bit off now.

Anyway, it's worth to read through that wiki article, I'm sure you know this feeling if you think back on gaming sessions you had.

This brings back good memories of LAN parties with Q3 and CS, those were pretty much group flow.

I dunno, I'm in my second half-century of life and I still pursue the Zone. Don't see what age has to do with it.

I live and work in a log cabin in the back woods out of sight of civilization, with only the sounds of nature around me (which is remarkably loud and includes jet skis and snowmobiles, evidently). I prefer silence for being productive -- I have audio on my systems turned off so the constant ding of email and pings of IRC do not distract me.

For times I need red or pink noise (like when the kids are entertaining), I prefer a stream of trance, preferably anthemic hardcore. Through headphones, to drown out the rest of the noise.

And then some satanic spawn dreamed up this.

How can you *not* want it?
 
I think it's so satisfying when you feel one with the code and everything seems to come automatically.
 
That said, I don't get this often. I think my work environment is just too distracting. Colleagues chatting, open desk office, people walking by, etc.

maybe (i am not 100% sure only some observations on myself) it is because i am overworked often and strongly (and getting overworked again fast) so one reasonable way of programming for me is doin it slow and in many parts, getting into zone is probably impossible to me
because of the tiredness and exhaustion

I cant focus on programming and music at the same time, is either 10% programming 90% music or the contrary, so in the end even if I manage to program with music, the music just became noise in the background, so I turn it off.

see, I enjoy music by predicting the next part that will play, so I either am like singing it on my head or not listening at all.

Usually some upbeat synth music, such as YMO, Kraftwerk, or Jean Michel Jarre.