Thoughts on "finding" the right environment

Why is there such a thing as an office.

To produce work nowadays, all we need are the tools, whether it be a laptop, an instrument, or a pen.
And everyone we need to talk to is just a call, an instant message, or an email away.

Now, why do we need a space specify for work.

Perhaps it’s because we are hardwired to perform certain tasks at certain places. We sleep in our bed rooms and party in our living rooms (for best results.) Finding the right environment for work optimizes our performance, which is why I spent majority of the time decorating and fixing up my “home office” (the desk area of my room), as oppose to anywhere else, to create that right environment.

Update 082210:
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I figured that we have list of attributes we look for in the right environment, whether it’d be quiet, cool artistic inspirational posters on walls, or surround by hardworking people. But I realize that the list would end up becoming constraints, that we rely so much on the environment we can’t work well when not being in the right one.

So what I propose is this: Minimize the list. Be able to work, with high performance, in various environments. I’m working on this – instead of looking for attributes that attracts, I look for attributes that I should avoid: The place does not have to be quiet, have cool pictures on the wall, or surround by hardworking people, just have to make sure it doesn’t have people doing fun things that ~~distracts me~~ makes me want to participate and drift away.

If you have the luxury to choose, great. If not, be ready to work where-ever you are.
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When I’m away from home, I’d look for coffee shops or book stores (hopefully with wifi.)
I can’t believe I didn’t know about this place:

Mishka’s Cafe (Downtown Davis, next to Vito’s Pizza.) The mellow music, good drinks, people working hard on their laptop, free speedy wifi, and plenty of power outlets. YES.