Why you can’t multitask (and why that’s a good thing)

Humans' ability to turn thoughts into actions has enabled us to change the world. But we've never been great at getting two things done at once.

Understanding how our brain helps us achieve our goals through something called executive function, or cognitive control, can explain why we're so bad at multitasking.

According to neuroscientist Prof David Badre, when we're armed with this knowledge we can begin to work together to become a better society. Badre's new book, On Task (£25, Princeton University Press) explains the mechanisms behind cognitive control.

In this episode of the Science Focus Podcast we speak to Badre to find out more about how our brains work.

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Listen to more episodes of the Science Focus Podcast:

• Dean Burnett: The neuroscience of happiness
• Daniel Freeman: How virtual reality is helping patients with phobias, anxiety disorders and more
• Anthony David: Why is there still such stigma around mental health?
• Pete Etchells: Are video games good for us?
• Sandro Galea: What is the difference between health and medicine?
• Helen Russell: What does it mean to be happy?
• Gordon Wallace: Is an implantable electronic device the future of medicine?

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