A new book written by Eric Abrahamson and David H. Freedman claims that a moderate amount of mess is not necessarily a bad thing-- in fact it may be beneficial.
A Perfect Mess is causing quite a clutter controversy. Read ahead and share your thoughts.
Their basic argument is that the organization, storage and maintenance is actually more time-consuming, pricey and restrictive than living with a moderate amount of crap. And without that moderate amount of crap, you may miss out on that creative thought that sparks when you excavate.
As all this does make sense-- although we don't really think there is an effective way to measure messiness's contribution in the real world. Orderliness is always going to be there, and in varying mixtures. There is always an exception to a rule, and after all, they are talking about a moderate amount of clutter.
But the arguments have gotten heated.
First, the New York Times published Penelope Green's article "Yes to Mess" and the controversy started. Freedman and Abrahamson quoted and mis-quoted our personal professional organizing colleagues around the country saying that we're accepting organizing challenges for clients who really don't need our help at all. And we're forcing our supreme levels of organization onto them making them feel bad. Obviously, this so far from the truth. The snippy attacks in the book continued to productivity gurus David Allen and Stephen Covey.
Organizing Bloggers have also gotten on the bandwagon. Fellow New Jersey Organizer Ariane Benefit's Neat Living, LA-colleague Jessica's Duquette's Its-Not-About-Your-Stuff, and the beloved Atlanta, GA Monica Ricci all spoke out on what's been going on. Last week, Kathy Waddill, Professional Organizer and Author David H. Freeman appeared on National NPR to discuss the book's findings.
So, readers, what are your thoughts? Do you feel that a moderate amount of mess is good for creativity?
- A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder-- How Crammed Closets, Cluttered Offices, and On-the-Fly Planning Make the World a Better Place.
- Read a free chapter posted on-line.
UPDATE 1/29/07: We've posted a follow-up on this story with an interview on NBC's Today Show. Click here to see the post.