Last week's question: A new study has found that keeping a messy desk might be a sign of creative genius, because people with disorderly environments often have fresh insights. If a business writer were to author a book on the benefits of being a slob at work, what should it be titled?
Click here for the results of last week's contest: Porky pets
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THE WINNER: "How to Succeed in Business Without Even Tidying"
Cheryl Old, San Diego
SECOND PLACE: "Chairman of the Hoard"
Jack Garfunkel, Cranford, N.J.
THIRD PLACE: "Mess for Success"
John Hohwald, Downingtown, Pa.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
"Make a Mess of Your Life"
Bert Hudnall, Charleston, S.C.
"Pick of the Litter"
Martha Dunn, Santa Cruz, Calif.
"See You at the Top (of the Pile)"
Diane Thom, Maple Valley, Wash.
"Trash of the Titans"
Madeline Johnson, Bethesda, Md.
"Grime and Flourishment"
Emily Connors, Atlanta
"Messin' Accomplished"
Sorelle Bake, Highland Park, Ill.
"The Sty's the Limit"
Michael Hill, Sierra Madre, Calif.
"Say Yes to the Mess"
Mary Jo Astrachan, Oneida, N.Y.
"Another Fine Mess"
Bob Schall, Holly Springs, N.C.
"The Unclean Startup"
Patty Oberhausen, Fort Wayne, Ind.
"From Rat's Nest to Riches"
Tom Harris, Columbus, Ga.
"How to Be Filthy Rich"
Lisa Goetzman, Fitchburg, Wis.
"Where's My Cheese?"
Tim Mistele, Coral Gables, Fla.
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Deaths for children under 5 have gone up for the first time this centuryUnder the radar Poor funding is the culprit
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Codeword: December 22, 2025The daily codeword puzzle from The Week
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How Bulgaria’s government fell amid mass protestsThe Explainer The country’s prime minister resigned as part of the fallout
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Femicide: Italy’s newest crimeThe Explainer Landmark law to criminalise murder of a woman as an ‘act of hatred’ or ‘subjugation’ but critics say Italy is still deeply patriarchal
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Brazil’s Bolsonaro behind bars after appeals run outSpeed Read He will serve 27 years in prison
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Americans traveling abroad face renewed criticism in the Trump eraThe Explainer Some of Trump’s behavior has Americans being questioned
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Nigeria confused by Trump invasion threatSpeed Read Trump has claimed the country is persecuting Christians
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Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
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Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
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Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
