Wow!
But maybe an
analog engineer's desk isn't the best indication of whether you need an anti-static mat, if you're going to be working with
digital.
I've never used an anti-static mat, and never had a problem (yet). I'm always aware of when myself or the stuff I'm handling may be at different potentials, and equalize them if necessary. That's the most important thing.
Plus it's a clear day here, and the relative humidity outside is 91%. Inside, probably around 30%. That's pretty typical for my locale, and it helps. The few months of the year the humidity drops enough to accumulate a charge, I crank up a humidifier when working with static sensitive parts. When working with something known to be
very sensitive on a dry day, sometimes I do the fidgety bits in the bathroom, door closed and vent off, and a fine spray of hot water from the showerhead. But that's rare.
Now if I were to move to a dryer location, I would gear up with a static mat and wrist strap. Still, there will come a time when you have to work without those niceties, so it's better not to have absolute reliance on them.