This chapter explores the illusion of multitasking, highlighting the negative impact it can have on attention and productivity. It discusses the Odysseus strategy of eliminating multitasking and emphasizes the benefits of focused attention. The chapter also explores individual differences in multitasking abilities and the influence of interfaces on performance.
How many times in a day are you doing just one thing?
Or is it more common that you’re multitasking – maybe texting and walking? Reading while listening to music?
We all multitask to some degree, but do any of us do it well? And is that even possible?
This week on All in the Mind, we look into the science of multitasking – why we struggle to do it, why some of us are better at it than others – and how to do it effectively if you must