A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder--How Crammed Closets, Cluttered Offices, and On-the-Fly Planning Make the World a Better Place

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Disorder at its best.

TOTAL UNADULTERATED GARBAGE

So you don't have to be a neatnik after all!

Don't buy this book if you count your paperclips

a explanation for the disarray

A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder--How Crammed Closets, Cluttered Offices, and On-the-Fly Planning Make the World a Better Place
Eric Abrahamson , and David H. Freedman
Manufacturer: Little, Brown and Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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YEARNINGS: EMBRACING THE SACRED MESSINESS OF LIFE

ASIN: 0316114758

Book Description

Like Freakonomics, here is a book that combines counterintuitive thinking with stories from everyday life to provide a striking new view of how our world works. Ever since Einstein's study of Brownian Motion, scientists have understood that a little disorder actually makes systems more effective. But most people still shun disorder--or suffer guilt over the mess they can't avoid. No longer! With a spectacular array of anecdotes and case studies of the useful role mess can play, here is an antidote to the accepted wisdom that tight schedules, neatness, and consistency are the keys to success. Drawing on examples from business, parenting, cooking, the war on terrorism, retail, and even the meteoric career of Arnold Schwarzenegger, coauthors Abrahamson and Freedman demonstrate that moderately messy systems use resources more efficiently, yield better solutions, and are harder to break than neat ones. A Perfect Mess will help readers assess what the right amount of disorder is for a given system, and how to apply these ideas onto a large scale--government, society-- and on a small scale--in your attic, kitchen, or office. A Perfect Mess will forever change the way we think about those unruly heaps of paper on our desks.

Customer Reviews:

Disorder at its best........2007-10-09

I love this book it has shown me that it is ok to be disorganized, to a point. I bought it with a passing interest and the more I read the more I was able to line up the themes in the chapters with aspects of my life, which was rewarding and sometime eye-opening. The concepts in this book could prove to be useful to all types of people, but I mostly found myself examining the many examples as they related to my own business.

Great book!

TOTAL UNADULTERATED GARBAGE.......2007-09-14

I've reviewed a lot of books on Amazon; this may be the single worst. As a former "clutterholic", I know how clutter can literally destroy your life. Believe me, there is NOTHING good about clutter, and being a contrarian for its own sake, or to hawk books, is doing a disservice to the readers who are sincerly looking for help. You don't tell a person with a serious eating disorder that he/she is alright the way he/she is, and you don't tell a person with a serious clutter problem that he/she is alright the way he/she is!

So you don't have to be a neatnik after all!.......2007-06-09

The inside flap of the book says, "Ever Since Einstein's study of Brownian motion" scientistshave understooed that a little disorder can actually make systems more effective. But most people still shun disorder-- or suffer guilt over the mess they an't avoid! No longer do you have to be a neatnik to be PERFECT...a little mess goes a long way to creativity. The biggest surprise is that the authors show that strategic planning for corporation is not as effective as being nimble and responding to change. There are 13 chapters -- note not 12 -- just a bit messy, right? And they range from "The Cost of Neatness" to "The Aesthetics of Mess" . Written by Eric Abrahamson, professor of management at Columbia Business School and David Freedman, contributing editor and the tech columnist for INC magazine this is a highly readable and informative book. BUT don't think it's going to let you off the hook for being a clutter bug. Cluttering is just one aspect of "mess" and 'neatness'. Alas no rules for managers abougt how much mess and what kind of mess to include. Seems every manager that uses some degree of mess seems to do it differently. So I can't summarize it all for you hear. Plus I don't know why you're reading this. Me -- because I tend to collect clutter in my office. And then I put it in boxes and have to sort it out. EEKS...but I almost NEVER lose anything....same when I had a real office in a corporate environment. Even though I'm in high tech, I tend to use low-tech systems that don't take up much time in my busy and ever-changing world of consulting. Plus, I don't have to pay extra for people who work for me to just keep things NEAT....although now and then I do bring in people to help sort out supply closets etc and then I'm able to keep them in order for 6 months or so. You'll find your own rhyme and reason in this book. Plus it finally gives you a retort when people say you're office is 'messy' -- so was Einstein's and Edison's and more.

Don't buy this book if you count your paperclips.......2007-06-02

Despite the title, this book doesn't advocate disorder, at least not in the dictionary sense of the word.

For example, a neat-freak's desk, and one used by someone like me were compared.

The neat-freak has an "orderly" desk, with all paper filed out of sight. To get at any paper, the neatnik must take time to access the filing system: generally a matter of walking to a filing cabinet, opening a drawer, and riffling through folders.

The other desk is covered with piles of papers and folders. More often than not, the 'disorganized' worker has the paper he or she needs at or near the top of a pile within arm's length.

The point is that having the sort of rigid, non-priority-oriented, organization that many workplaces use isn't as efficient as a sort of ad hoc organization based on use and needs.

Even if you don't embrace the book's approach to organization, reading it will be an anodyne to the alphabetized drumbeat of advice from the compulsive pencil-arrangers of this world.

a explanation for the disarray.......2007-05-27

The authors put ryme and reason to the sense of disarray. At first, I was skeptical of this book but as i read it and they presented examaples and their arguments, I found myself sold on what they were discussing. There is order to the world of self contained chaos.

Benedictine Roots in the Development of Deaf Education: Listening with the Heart

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Benedictine Roots in the Development of Deaf Education: Listening with the Heart
Marilyn Daniels
Manufacturer: Bergin & Garvey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0897895002

Book Description

Examining the educational instruction of the deaf individual from its Benedictine beginnings to its present condition at Gallaudet University, this book traces the historical pedagogical affinity among Pedro Ponce de Leon, Juan Pablo Bonet, Charles Michael de l'Epee, Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Edward Miner Gallaudet. The author provides the historical and philosophical basis for Jewish and Christian beliefs concerning the condition of deafness and then introduces Ponce de Leon, credited as being the first teacher of the deaf. The essence of this Spanish Benedictine monk's methods and manner of teaching have been continued by those who succeeded him. The author traces this development from Spain through France and then to the United States.

Introduction to the Replica Theory of Disordered Statistical Systems (Collection Alea-Saclay: Monographs and Texts in Statistical Physics)

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Introduction to the Replica Theory of Disordered Statistical Systems (Collection Alea-Saclay: Monographs and Texts in Statistical Physics)
Viktor Dotsenko
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
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Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0521773407

Book Description

This text describes the statistical mechanics of classical spin systems with quenched disorder. The first part covers the physics of spin-glass states using results obtained within the framework of the mean field theory of spin glasses. The second part is devoted to the theory of critical phenomena in the presence of weak quenched disorder. This includes a systematic derivation of the traditional renormalization group theory. In the third part Dotsenko describes other types of disordered systems, relating them to new results at the frontiers of modern research. The book is suitable for graduate students and researchers in the field of statistical mechanics of disordered systems.

Disordered Materials: An Introduction (Advanced Texts in Physics)

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Rigorous but not complete

Disordered Materials: An Introduction (Advanced Texts in Physics)
Paolo M. Ossi
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3540296093

Book Description

This self-contained text introduces the physics of structurally disordered condensed systems at the level of advanced undergraduate and graduate students. Among the topics, the geometry and symmetries of highly regular structures, the various kinds of disorder, the phenomenology and the main theories of the glass transition, the experimental investigation on the structure and microscopic dynamics of amorphous systems and the pertinent modelling, the structure and stability of noble gas, metal and carbon clusters, and their evolution with cluster size, nanostructured solids, the structure of quasicrystals and their relation to nanocrystalline and amorphous solids.

From the reviews of the first edition: "The text is clearly presented, amply illustrated and has approximately 45 references with an equivalent amount of further reading […] it provides a fresh viewpoint which makes it well worth careful reading... [and] provides a stimulating and novel coverage of a difficult subject area." Glass Technology

Customer Reviews:

Rigorous but not complete.......2003-08-21

I am a materials science engineer and read this book to learn about diamond-like carbon, which is a disordered material. This book covers a lot of topics, and ues a fair deal of equations and figures. It adequately covers most topics about disordered materials, though I could not find much information about diamond-like carbon. I would not recommend this book as an introductory text on the subject, but it is good for a reference. The text assumes the reader has fairly good knowledge of geometry, math, and solid state science, along with materials science. Much of the text could be rewritten to make it more readable, without reducing content.

Topics in Disordered Systems (Lectures in Mathematics. ETH Zürich)

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Topics in Disordered Systems (Lectures in Mathematics. ETH Zürich)
Charles M. Newman
Manufacturer: Birkhauser
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 3764357770

Book Description

Disordered systems are statistical mechanics models in random environments. This lecture notes volume concerns the equilibrium properties of a few carefully chosen examples of disordered Ising models. The approach is that of probability theory and mathematical physics, but the subject matter is of interest also to condensed matter physicists, material scientists, applied mathematicians and theoretical computer scientists. (The two main types of systems considered are disordered ferromagnets and spin glasses. The emphasis is on questions concerning the number of ground states (at zero temperature) or the number of pure Gibbs states (at nonzero temperature). A recurring theme is that these questions are connected to interesting issues concerning percolation and related models of geometric/combinatorial probability. One question treated at length concerns the low temperature behavior of short-range spin glasses: whether and in what sense Parisi's analysis of the meanfield (or "infinite-range") model is relevant. Closely related is the more general conceptual issue of how to approach the thermodynamic (i.e., infinite volume) limit in systems which may have many complex competing states. This issue has been addressed in recent joint work by the author and Dan Stein and the book provides a mathematically coherent presentation of their approach.)

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Soft Matter, emphasis on Liquid Crystals

Soft Matter Physics: An Introduction
Maurice Kleman , and Oleg D. Lavrentovich
Manufacturer: Springer
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Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0387952675

Book Description

Many materials have complex structural and dynamic properties intermediate between those of crystals and fluids. Among these are liquid crystals, with their well-known orientational order; colloids; polymer solutions and melts; foams; and gels; collectively these have come to be called "soft matter." These materials generally consist of organic molecules that interact weakly; as a result, thermal fluctuations, external fields, and boundary effects strongly influence their structure and properties. This sensitivity raises interesting new problems in basic physics, chemistry, and materials science; offers a path of thinking about some processes in biological systems; and opens numerous possibilities for technological applications. This textbook for graduate students in physics or chemical physics begins with a discussion of chemical bonds, interactions between particles, and the resulting molecular arrangements. The concept of order parameter leads to a discussion of phase transitions, elasticity and dynamics, followed by a review of fractals and growth phenomena. A significant portion of the book deals with defects of topological nature that accompany various types of order. The book concludes with chapters on surface phenomena, stability of colloidal systems, and structural properties of polymers. The detailed exposition, the emphasis on physical principles, and the exercises at the end of each chapter will make this book a valuable introduction for graduate students and researchers to this rapidly growing field.

Customer Reviews:

Soft Matter, emphasis on Liquid Crystals.......2006-03-25

Soft Matter Physics by Oleg and Maurice presents a very comprehensive account of the fundamental principles critical to understanding the phase behavior, disinclinations, defects, elasticity and dynamics of anisotropic phases. The material covered will be of interest to everyone even remotely connected with the study of liquid crystals.

The discussions are fairly recent, and the emphasis is on leading the reader through nearly every aspect of liquid crystal behavior, explained through a rich collection of equations, diagrams and analogies. A good understanding of this matter automatically leads to understanding of the other soft materials like colloids and polymers, that are discussed in last two chapters of the book. This book is uniquely useful in the detailed discussion of nematodynamics, elasticity of mesomorphic phases, dynamics of defects and disinclinations, liquid crystal order and phase transitions, fractals and growth phenomenon, drops of anistropic fluids: the insight offered for these topics makes it a must buy for the graduate students and scientists fascinated by LC phases.

One may wish to start with P. J. Collins to appreciate the beautiful science of liquid crystals, (its a book without equations), follow it up with this treatise to comprehend the mathematical details of phenomenon, then delve into the classic by de Gennes to learn the concepts from the master, and I guess finish off with Chaikin and Lubensky to become an expert in aspects related to liquid crystalline phases.

The Physics of Structurally Disordered Matter: An Introduction (Graduate Student Series in Physics)

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The Physics of Structurally Disordered Matter: An Introduction (Graduate Student Series in Physics)
N. E. Cusack
Manufacturer: Institute of Physics Publishing
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Binding: Paperback

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The Discovery of the Asylum: Social Order and Disorder in the New Republic

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The Discovery of the Asylum: Social Order and Disorder in the New Republic
David J. Rothman
Manufacturer: Little, Brwon and Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000B366SG

Entropy and Art: An Essay on Disorder and Order

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Entropy and Art: An Essay on Disorder and Order
Rudolf Arnheim
Manufacturer: University of California Press
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ASIN: 0520026179

The Science of Disorder: Understanding the Complexity, Uncertainty, and Pollution in Our World

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The Importance of The Laws of Thermodynamics in Every Facet of Our Lives.
Inherently interesting & exceptionally well written
An excellent view into the Laws of Thermodynamics
How the natural "disorder" of things affects all of us
Entropy in Everyday Life

The Science of Disorder: Understanding the Complexity, Uncertainty, and Pollution in Our World
Jack Hokikian
Manufacturer: Los Feliz Pub.
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Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0970895321

Customer Reviews:

The Importance of The Laws of Thermodynamics in Every Facet of Our Lives........2006-08-18

When I completed reading Jack Hokikian's The Science of Disorder: Understanding the Complexity, Uncertainty, and Pollution of Our World, I was reminded of Albert Einstein's brilliant observation of The Laws of Thermodynamics when he stated: "The more impressive a Theory, the greater is the simplicity of its premises, the more different are the kinds of things it relates and the more extended its range of applicability."

Hokikian, who received his Ph.D in experimental nuclear physics from the a University of Southern California, contends that in order to comprehend why our rapidly changing world is becoming more complex, disorderly, and polluted, we must refer to the discipline of thermodynamics for the answers.

The introductory chapters of the book provide us with a better understanding of the origination of these laws and their modern scope of applicability.
In addition, Hokikian explains in layman terms the first two Laws of Thermodynamics wherein we are informed that the first law is a statement of the conservation of energy, while the second is the direction of that energy. It should be pointed out that Thermodynamics is the study of the inter-relation between heat, work and the internal energy of a system and they came about while studying heat and heat engines.
From here we learn that the first law states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it can only be transformed from one form to another. The amount of energy in the universe is constant. The Second Law pertains to entropy and Hokikian points out that entropy increases in all processes in an irreversible manner. Hokikian tells us that Physicists identify entropy as a measure of the disorder of a thermodynamic system. In other words, it exacts a tax from all our activities by increasing the disorder of our thermodynamic system.

Since the time these laws were conceived, they have become some of the most important laws of all science and very often they are associated with concepts that have far more reaching effects than it would appear. As Hokikian illustrates and exposes, their applicability applies to cosmology, agriculture, economics, chemistry, psychology, medicine, education, ecology, technology, weather patterns, social behavior, nuclear fission, and almost to everything. In other words, as mentioned, "the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics govern all processes and activities-from physical, chemical, and biological to economic, social and intellectual." They allow us to see the whole picture and not confine us to narrow interpretations which are so often prevalent among many of our present day specialists.

Hokikian has culled many scientific journals and other writings to put together a highly readable account of the importance of these laws. His synopsis of how mechanization of agriculture and the reliance of fertilizers and pesticides have affected humans and our environment is an eye-opener.
As he points out, the transition from horses to tractors, humans replaced an essentially renewable source of energy with a nonrenewable one. However, what is more important is the input of fossil fuel energy per hectare is often substantially greater than the energy yield contained in the food produced. As mentioned, "although it appears that high-intensity agriculture is extremely efficient, the discipline of thermodynamics gives this technique failing marks because the system often operates, energy wise, with a deficit."
We may have benefited from the use of fertilizers, but the benefits are not without costly ramifications. Although there have been important increases in the production of food, this has come about at the expense of massive increases in entropy. Just look at the runoff of chemical fertilizers into rivers, lakes, and subterranean waters and its effects on the environment!

Another interesting and fascinating chapter is the relationship of the Laws of Thermodynamics to Economics wherein Hokikian contends that economic laws and views are presented by economists without any mention of the law of Nature. As a result, whenever a new economic ideology or policy is put forward there is no accounting for the Laws of Thermodynamics. In other words, their view of the economic system is purely mechanical that can be controlled at will without any entropy increases. Government intervention in economic activities of a nation in an attempt to control its behavior invariably creates turbulence-entropy-in the socioeconomic system. As a Canadian, I don't have to look very far when I consider the disastrous effects price controls exacted on the Canadian economy that were implemented in the 1970s or the Canadian energy policy that was attributed to the late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and which was later scrapped by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.

Although, I have to admit that I did struggle with the first few chapters of the book (Science has never been my forté), it all came together when Hokikian shows the practical applicability of the Laws of Thermodynamics to many of today's hot button issues wherein our behavior patterns very often have zero concern for the human and environmental damage they cause.

Beyond doubt, The Science of Disorder: Understanding the Complexity, Uncertainty, and Pollution of Our World is an important contribution in helping the layman to understand the significance of the Laws of Thermodynamics pertaining to their wide application affecting every facet of our lives.

Norm Goldman, Editor Bookpleasures

Inherently interesting & exceptionally well written.......2003-08-08

The Science Of Disorder by Jack Hokikian is a thoughtful and thought-provoking examination of how increasing human population, globalization, and technological advances come with harmful side effects such as new diseases, electronic viruses, environmental degradation, and more. With an eye on how the Laws of Thermodynamics, Energy, and Entropy affect all the processes in the universe (including daily human life), The Science Of Disorder strives to make sense of a seeming disarray, while addressing a keen interest in the big picture and what it means for humanity's future. The Science Of Disorder is sometimes iconoclastic, inherently interesting, exceptionally well written, and a highly recommended addition to Environmental Studies, General Science, and Human Ecology Studies reading lists and reference collections.

An excellent view into the Laws of Thermodynamics.......2003-06-13

When I picked up this book ("The Science of Disorder, Understanding the Complexity, Uncertainty, and Pollution in Our World") two thoughts crossed my mind, first I am not qualified to understand it, and second, this may be a book in the line of "Physics for Dummies". Much to my surprise, neither of these thoughts came to fruition, Dr. Hokikian finds a way to decompose the Laws of Thermodynamics in all its complexity and apply them to the reality of my day to day existence. This is a book for those interested in detailed study into Thermodynamics, as well as ones (like myself) interested in understanding the Physical Laws of nature and how they apply. This is not to say that after I read this book I now comprehend Boltzmann's Entropy Relation (I did not in college, and still struggle with it), but I now can appreciate it. Or better stated by "stealing" words from Dr. Hokikian, when I read these concepts I can understand them "from the simplicity of the equation [and] also from the agreement between its theoretical predictions and actual experimental observations."

How the natural "disorder" of things affects all of us.......2003-06-11

This amazing book is a wonderful explanation of why so many disturbing and seemingly "chaotic" world events are occurring and what we could do to mitigate their effects. Jack Hokikian, a real scientist in the true meaning of the word, has taken a difficult yet critically important subject and created a "must-read" book for anyone who cares about our future on this increasingly crowded planet. Dr. Hokikian clearly describes the Laws of Thermodynamics and uses them to explain the accelerating "rush to disorder" which we are all experiencing in our daily lives. Far from being a dry dissertation about little-understood laws of Physics, Dr. Hokikian's brilliant and entertaining book brings home with a loud bang the critical importance of understanding the impacts of our universe's immutable physical laws and why we, and particularly our leaders, must be made to fully understand these impacts. He uses many rivetting examples from real life to clearly illustrate the chaos and disorder around us along with equally clearly explained causes and effects.
This beautiful book, in clear everyday language, spells out exactly why we see such increasing chaos and disorder around us and how we got to this point and how, once we understand this, we can slow down and perhaps even reverse this frightening process.
The author, Dr. Hokikian is no wild-eyed "mad scientist" nor is he a fanatical "tree-hugger". He is a University Physics Professor, a successful professional engineer and a highly-respected Database Systems designer.
I fully recommend this book to all who want to understand our world better. Practising scientists and engineers as well as laypersons with genuinely "inquiring minds" will gain tremendous insight and knowledge from this book while being entertained by Dr. Hokikian's lucid and elegant, non-patronizing writing style.

Entropy in Everyday Life.......2002-07-06

Once in a great while, an unknown author seems to come out of nowhere with a work destined to alter our thinking about everyday life and its problems. In "The Science of Disorder" we receive the key to understanding the chaos in our world. We also can discern a touch of optimism that by gaining understanding of the laws of physics, we can help alter the course of humankind for the better.
It is sobering to learn that the immutable laws of physics that underlie our existence make it virtually impossible for technology to solve our problems on this crowded planet. The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that the entropy or disorder of the universe tends to increase. Hokikian points out that while we do not use the term entropy much outside of physics, synonyms in the everyday lexicon include "waste, complexity, externalities, side effects, collateral effects, hidden costs, and unintended consequences."
In a chapter entitled "Economics, the Environment, and the Laws of Thermodynamics", Hokikian discusses the economics of computers and technology. Rapid obsolescence reigns, creating high entropy. There are obvious and hidden costs to buying and maintaining the technology. The consequences are degradation rather than improvement in the quality of life, with pollution from the manufacture and disposal of the equipment, and the dissipation of capital and knowledge. (Well, there are exceptions, like Amazon.com!)
But the book leaves us with the hope by learning about the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics, we can improve our lives and slow the deterioration of our planet.

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