The Economist has an interesting series of articles about urban nomadism, or the trend for office workers to no longer work in their office but rather wherever they please. Coffee shops are apparently a popular work location, and the cynic in me can’t help thinking that these people who’ve given up their offices entirely are somewhat motivated by cost savings. Why rent an expensive office when you can get a desk, wifi and electricity for the cost of a few cups of coffee per day?

Anyway, the interesting question to me is whether or not this actually makes people more productive. Personally I’ve found that working in a public place can have a surprising positive effect on my productivity if other people are also working around me. The reason seems to be that when I am near other people who are working, I also feel some social pressure or motivation to work and not to slack off. In addition, in a public place these other people are unlikely to be my colleagues or friends, so they won’t talk to me or distract me directly. Sometimes I find this effect can be quite beneficial.