AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
1min snip
601. Multitasking Doesn’t Work. So Why Do We Keep Trying?
Freakonomics Radio
The Narrow Transfer Gradients in Skill Acquisition
Skill acquisition reveals that transfer gradients are narrow, meaning proficiency in one task does not guarantee competence in another, even if they seem related. For example, mastering bicycle riding does not translate to surfing skills. Skills acquired through focused practice are highly specific to the trained activity, and switching tasks can reset progress. However, individuals labeled as 'super taskers' exhibit an ability to excel in unfamiliar tasks, potentially due to innate differences in brain organization that affect learning. Neuroimaging indicates that certain brain regions, notably the frontal polar area in the prefrontal cortex, become more efficient in processing information, suggesting genetic predispositions may contribute to their superior learning capabilities.
00:00
Transcript
Episode notes
Get the Snipd
podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any
moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share
& Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode