Messy Desks a Sign of Creativity

We’ve all heard the old quote about messy desks that’s attributed to Albert Einstein: “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” Well, Einstein’s endorsement of the cluttered desk now has the backing of a team of researchers at the University of Minnesota.

The researchers randomly assigned students disorderly and orderly rooms. Those placed in the disorderly room exhibited more creativity than those in neat rooms. 

Ryan Rahinel is the author of a new study on orderliness, decision-making and creativity. He joins The Takeaway to discuss his findings and the research behind it.