Ask HN: working habits - minimalism or "organized" chaos?

Some people use what is apparently innate spacial orientation.to manage large volumes of material. E.g. the iconic cluttered professor's or researcher's office. But when they need something, they know exactly what pile it is in and about where within that pile (how deep). The surroundings provide a three dimensional environment rich in sensory cues, which they can readily remember and within which they can readily navigate.

There was a New Yorker or similar article on this, some years ago, that addressed the enduring nature of paper in the electronic age. If I can find it, I'll post the URL.