If pristine organization has felt stifling, "Messy" can be a breath of fresh air. Tim Harford eloquently unravels the intricate ways in which disorder can be a secret ally to creativity. Dive into this book and you might find yourself liberated from the shackles of unnecessary neatness, equipped with a new perspective on productivity and innovation.

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From the award-winning columnist and author of the national bestseller The Undercover Economist comes a provocative big idea book about the genuine benefits of being at home, at work, in the classroom, and beyond. The Power of Disorder to Transform Our Lives celebrates the benefits that messiness has in our why it’s important, why we resist it, and why we should embrace it instead. Using research from neuroscience, psychology, social science, as well as captivating examples of real people doing extraordinary things, Tim Harford explains that the human qualities we value – creativity, responsiveness, resilience – are integral to the disorder, confusion, and disarray that produce them. In Messy, you’ll learn about the unexpected connections between creativity and mess; understand why unexpected changes of plans, unfamiliar people, and unforeseen events can help generate new ideas and opportunities as they make you anxious and angry; and come to appreciate that the human inclination for tidiness – in our personal and professional lives, online, even in children’s play – can mask deep and debilitating fragility that keep us from innovation. Stimulating and readable as it points exciting ways forward, Messy is an insightful exploration of the real advantages of mess in our lives.

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