Generation multitask

Have you ever wondered if we're all too wired? As I sat in the dentist waiting room yesterday afternoon (eek) I flicked through a copy of Time magazine from early 2006 and read an interesting story that focussed on our ADD use of technology and what all this techno-multitasking is doing to our brains. We may be able to type while we listen to the radio and simultaneously click over to read our emails, but are we really giving all those tasks our full focus?

The story included a study being conducted in the US that followed a family of four to see what technology they were using and how they interacted with each other. The household had two computers, so both teen children were glued to the screens flicking from MSN, to googling for their homework, updating their MySpace page and listening to music on iTunes. Their average "screen time" per day was 6 1/2 hours. They barely acknowledged their dad when he arrived home late from work and ate dinner alone in the kitchen. Then again, he was checking emails on his blackberry while watching the news on TV. And the daughter was quoted as saying she often kept one earpiece of her iPod in her ear while talking to friends. Can you say rude?

It's all about what you get used to. Sure, listening to music while working or studying can help you concentrate. And driving while listening to music, or walking while holding a converstaion is easy peasy! But you'll often notice you can't make a decision about changing the direction of your walk, without stopping everything for a moment. We can travel along on cruise control for most of the time but when we need to make new decisions or a new element pops into our brain, it takes a second to readjust.

The most important thing to remember is that we need to give our brains time to rest from the "noise" we've become accustomed to everyday. Turn off the computer, switch off your phone. Read a book, go for a walk (without music), or catch up with friends (without distractions). Sure these gadgets make our lives run quickly and smoothly, but it can be so liberating to step away from it all. Remember, it was only 50 years ago that there was no such thing as TV! : )

Notes on Glossy Paper