Freakonomics Radio 601. Multitasking Doesn’t Work. So Why Do We Keep Trying?
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Sep 5, 2024 
Join experts Gloria Mark, a UC Irvine professor focused on human-computer interaction; David Strayer, a psychology professor at the University of Utah; and Olivia Grace, a senior product manager at Slack. They delve into the myth of multitasking, revealing its true inefficiency and the stress it brings. The conversation explores why only a few can truly multitask, the cognitive costs involved, and how digital tools like Slack can amplify distractions. They stress the importance of single-tasking for better productivity and mental well-being.
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Air Traffic Controller Test
- Olivia Grace took a multitasking test to become an air traffic controller.
- She passed several rounds but ultimately did not become a controller.
Prioritization over Multitasking
- The air traffic controller test prioritized task sequencing and prioritization over simultaneous multitasking.
- This reflects a common misconception about multitasking.
The Switch Cost of Multitasking
- Multitasking is actually rapid task-switching with a "switch cost".
- This cost degrades performance on both tasks.