i can't explain the appeal, but i worked out of a coffee shop for 3 months a couple of years ago and it was definitely there for me.
your self control theory might be a part of it although i don't recall doing any less random surfing. and believe me i would notice if some environment helped me tone down my random surfing.
i think just being around people, even (maybe especially) if they have no bearing on my activity, is comforting and helps me focus. at the risk of concocting one of those questionable evolutionary psychology theories, most of our ancestors probably didn't do a lot of productive work in complete isolation?
I worked from coffee shops for 6 months as a solo founder. Being a solo founder was incredibly lonely, and sitting at home made that worse. Going to coffee shops and being surrounded by other people working on their own gigs was energizing.
Now that I'm working at a 2 person startup, I still work from coffee shops ~2 days a week. It's a great change of scenery from the office. I plug in headphones, get a caffeine buzz going, and can be very productive without being distracted.
The coffee shop matters a lot. I disagree with the author's opinion that national chains are best. Starbucks tends to have terrible WiFi, average coffee, and feels soulless. You have to explore your city to find the right balance of WiFi, ambiance, coffee, and power outlets. I was spoiled living in Seattle - I imagine that search takes a bit more effort somewhere like DC :)
(me == author) and I completely agree. And you're just spoiled because you're from Seattle :-D. Compared to better indy coffee shops, the chains aren't great, but they are consistent (the wireless may not be great, but it doesn't go down). But you definitely want to find a place with soul if you can.
your self control theory might be a part of it although i don't recall doing any less random surfing. and believe me i would notice if some environment helped me tone down my random surfing.
i think just being around people, even (maybe especially) if they have no bearing on my activity, is comforting and helps me focus. at the risk of concocting one of those questionable evolutionary psychology theories, most of our ancestors probably didn't do a lot of productive work in complete isolation?