I'm currently living in Sydney, Australia and, boy, do they love their coffee. However, no one goes to Starbucks nor are the coffee shops very similar to the ones found in the US. Most are itty bitty holes in the wall with limited seating. In the middle of the city, around the business area, there are more shops where you may see people sitting and drinking coffee. However the vast majority of people hang out, drink (coffee, water, alcohol) and eat delicious food in food court type areas. Similar to what you find in the malls in the US except really high end with good design and no McDonalds smell. People go to coffee shops to get out of their house, to sit around other people, to be in a warm place to hide from the snow, and because they have access to power to charge their numerous electronic devices. I choose not to go to coffee shops because (at least in NYC) they are always overcrowded, the air is thick with sweat and coffee smell, and I prefer to do my work in much more spacious area. I think Gordon's theory has some merits but I would predict that we will have more spacious public areas with access to power outlets and a wide range of food and drinks and things to buy (mom & pop style book stores and music stores and small boutiques with art and gifts and toys etc.) rather than all coffee shops. Very interesting to think about though.