I think you miscontrue the premise. It's not that the company relies on group lunch. It just helps to integrate the group and improve communication. It also helps people get to know each other, which can be hard for introverts to do without structure. Maybe that's not necessarily a boon to productivity, but I appreciate it.

I also don't think anyone (least of all me) is saying this should be universally enforced as standard practice. If you say you must have this time for yourself, and that's a deal-breaker for you, then I respect that. You obviously wouldn't want to work for a company that insists on this. I'm also not saying that I wouldn't work at a company that didn't have this or a similar policy.

I'm just saying I agree that this kind of policy can help, especially among nerds.