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601. Multitasking Doesn’t Work. So Why Do We Keep Trying?

Freakonomics Radio

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More Tools, More Demand: Beware of Induced Consumption

The effectiveness of productivity tools can lead to an increase in demand that may ultimately exacerbate challenges rather than solve them. Historical examples highlight that creating more capacity—like wider roads—increases traffic and does not alleviate the problem. Similarly, introducing more collaborative software may not enhance productivity as intended, since it can lead to greater demands on workers’ time and attention, thereby defeating the purpose of optimizing individual work processes.

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