The next time somebody criticizes your messy desk, just point out that it could be a sign of creativity. It's worth a try.
And there's some evidence to support the claim, explored in the book Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind.
Authors Scott Barry Kaufman and Carolyn Gregoire incorporate both brain science and great examples--from Thomas Edison to John Lennon--to illustrate the proclivities of the creative mind.
The authors visit with details.