Media Multitasking

In the essay “Multitasking can make you lose … Um … Focus” Alina Tugend exams why multitasking can make you lose focus. Tugend explains what multitasking is in the first section she also explains why it is bad. She then brings in a professor to explain how multitasking works in a scientific way. Alina Tugend then uses case studies to show how multitasking can cause loss of focus and impairment in motor activities. She then shows how multitasking can actually delay your progress on completing projects by constantly switching to different tasks. Tugend then sums it all up by trying to teach us how to better ourselves and to not multitask.

We are just watering down the definition of multitasking. In my life many times we believe that we’re multitasking, but are we really mastering it. No! When I’m home listening to music, watching T.V. , and doing homework. Sure I’m multitasking, but am I mastering it. No, cause I really can’t listen to the lyrics of the song. I’m not paying close attention to the T.V. I have no clue what's going on. I’m also, not doing a good job on my homework. All this is because i’m distracted and not focus. Which means i’m not mastering multitasking. If I just really sat and focused on doing one thing at a time it will be so much better. If was just listening to music , I would know the lyrics of the song. If I was to focus just on the T.V. I would actually know what is going on. If I was to just do my homework and nothing else. I would be focusing and do my best on the assignment. So, yes I may be , multitasking ,but i'm not mastering it by any means. Also, in the classroom we did an experiment. In this experiment we split up into two groups. Group A went outside without any distractions. Group B stayed in the classroom with loud wacky music playing. Both groups were required to finish an easy quiz in a matter of a few minutes. After the time was up both groups gathered back in the classroom. And went over their quiz results group at the group without the distractions got more questions right by a landslide over group B.

In our busy lives, multitasking has become a normal day-to-day activity. In the twenty-first century, the ability to do multiple things simultaneously has become a valuable asset and is viewed as an essential skill by many. However, does multitasking negatively affect the outcome of your task? The practice of doing multiple things at once is detrimental to your efficiency, attentiveness, focus, and detracts from your ability to execute your task well.

Multitasking, helpful or harmful? In Alina Tugend’s “Multitasking Can Make You Lose…Um…Focus”, Tugend explores multitasking in several ways. Explaining how we as humans sacrifice focus “shifting focus from task to task gives illusion that we’re simultaneously tasking”. Also, how our brains react to operating and trying to do more than one task at once. Only one or two visual stimulants can activate our neurons at one particular time. Lastly, how we can recreate boundaries and cope with everyday life and multitasking. Tugend reiterates several times the importance of one task at a time so we as humans can effectively complete tasks to the best of our abilities instead of giving partial focus and not efficiently completely a task. Multitasking is very beneficial at times, but more often there are significant downfalls; it is crucial we learn how to manage the downfalls of juggling tasks, events, conversations, and daily events.

In “Multitasking Can Make You Lose...Um...Focus,” Alina Tugend examines the negative aspects and many disadvantages that occur through multitasking. Tugend begins by stating that multitasking is the norm for today’s fast paced society; however, in reality it is pulling focus from the task at hand. The author continues on to cite various researchers who express that the brain cannot simultaneously do two tasks at once and is actually just flipping back and forth between tasks rapidly. Although multitasking seems like a time efficient method, Tugend reveals, it is actually creating a large amount of stress and pressure on the individual. Furthermore, the author notes that multitasking actually pulls away from the task at hand creating a great time loss. Tugend even goes on to explain that multitasking is proving to be bad for innovation by not allowing an individual to think in depth about one task for an extended period of time. With Tugends article in mind I agree that multitasking puts a lot of stress and pressure on the individual, creates a loss in time, and is awful for innovation.

Many people take pride in the fact that they can multitask. A study “Task Switching” conducted by Monsell concluded that multitasking, or switching

Growing up in a generation where technology is at our fingertips, the brain changes its organization and functioning to accommodate the abundance of stimulation forced on it by the modern world. I recognize where Restak’s logic comes from because individuals are so dependent on phones and laptops that it becomes a challenge for people to complete work on their own. People feel as if it is necessary to have an electronic device by their side, tricked into believing multitasking is an acquired skill when in reality the brain is struggling. With the constant use of extra devices, Restak suggests “multitasking”

Sana, Weston, & Cepeda (2013), Laptop multitasking hinders learning for both users and nearby peers. Computers & Education 62 (2013): 24-31.

“Attention Deficit: The Brain Syndrome of Our Era,” a chapter from The New Brain deals with the effects of modern technology. Here Restak examines the brain’s ability to multitask and the consequences of multitasking, for example, the risks of talking on a cell phone while driving. Our tendency to juggle tasks, Restak warns may be both unproductive and damaging to our brains. Multitasking forces our brains to process ever-increasing amounts of information at ever-increasing rates. Although technology has bettered the world, it is addictive and can lessen the human brain. With the constant use of phones and laptops it makes multitasking less productive. Your mind should be able to concentrate

Multitasking is a common technique used by most people that is thought to be a way of getting tasks done quicker. With the need for speed in today’s society there is more that has to be done in a minimal time. But what people do not realize is that when they cram their work into a limited amount of time, it can backfire altogether. Within this paper will be an explanation of the negative side effects that may come with multitasking such as stress, physical health problems, and frequently making mistakes.

When multitasking initially I think it is helping me, however I’m not truly accomplishing anything to my fullest potential. Working a full-time job, being enrolled in college full-time, and being a mother I know I am multitasking daily, in order to accomplish a million tasks at once. Often I find myself brushing my teeth while showering, and cooking while doing laundry. As a result of multitasking, I have burnt dinner, and turned a white shirt pink. Looking back, I can’t help but ask myself if trying to accomplish all these things at once is efficient or if I would have been more productive to focus on one thing at a time. I have noticed that when I take on too many things at one time I become very stressed. In an online article composed by Forbes magazine it stated that, According, to a study conducted at the University of London, researcher’s “found that participants who multitasked during cognitive tasks experienced IQ score declines that were similar to what they’d expect if they had smoked marijuana or stayed up all night.” This study confirms that multitasking is slowing us down and is not beneficial. If studies prove it is slowing us down, then why do we still take part in multitasking? The efficiency of multitasking ultimately depends on what kinds of tasks that you are trying to accomplish, and to what degree of importance these

Ironically, multitasking is proven to be not only less efficient, but also has shown to take a significant physiological toll on one’s

In this modern era, it has become commonplace to try and accomplish as many tasks as possible as quickly as possible in order to be more efficient. With the help of technology, many believe that multitasking is becoming a required and helpful skill. Multitasking is actually a detrimental habit. Multitasking divides a person's concentration in order to attempt to complete multiple actions. Even though in the end the tasks are all finished, the quality of the finished task and the time required to finish all the tasks makes multitasking very inefficient. In addition, this division of concentration is causing many people to not pay attention. For most, multitasking is a disadvantageous skill that should not be encouraged as a valid

Observing an average college student during a lecture is a marvelous thing. Sure, there are the students in the front, attentively taking notes, eagerly soaking in information to be used to pass their next test and nothing more. Gazing over the sea of people, however, one couldn’t help but notice the vast majority of people using some sort of digital technology; a sleek new MacBook Pro alternating between Facebook political rants, a fantasy team on the verge of a winless season, and a slideshow of ‘Ten Celebrities You Didn’t Know Have Been Arrested’. A girl in sweatpants and a tank top who didn’t even bother to bring a book bag, navigating several group chats and frantically tapping the spider-webbed glass. Some folks will have the next day’s homework pulled up, some the PowerPoint slideshow on ‘Chapter 3- Ocean Currents and Tides’, even though it’s already being projected at the front of the room, and even more won’t be paying the slightest bit of attention to neither their Surface Pro or the monotonous droll of the professor, instead wondering how to get that cute guy’s number or whether they have enough in their checking account to hit up Chick-Fil-A after class. The majority of these typical college students, however much- or little- attention they paid to the lecture, will leave this class confident they have somewhat of a grasp on the material. Many researchers today would beg to differ, however; studies are being performed across the country linking multitasking in

Multitasking is becoming very significant on the workplace to complete the task in less time. In fact, some people believe that multitasking saves time and can be done at all together. On the other hand, some people think that it is a distracting activity which leads to a lack of concentration. According to David Silverman, “In Defense of Multitasking”, multitasking is “crucial to survival in today’s workplace” (522). However, I do not agree because multitasking reduces productivity, increases stress levels and it is, especially, problematic for students.