Every time I read complaints from people dissatisfied with open office layouts, my first response is inevitably, "Have you ever had a roommate?" The ability to isolate is great when you need it, but I can't help but get the notion that at least some cases are people avoiding learning how to work in close proximity to each other. Thereby using cubicles or offices as a crutch for that. If I'm right, doesn't the company benefit from people having to hash those differences out?