It’s been amply demonstrated that the brain can’t multitask its attention. Because working memory is so small, we can’t process two streams of thought at the same time. Our brains switch back and forth between the two tasks and when we do this, we lose time, energy, accuracy, and quality. As I referred to it…
My last post talked about some of the advantages of using Twitter in a meeting: Keeping the audience’s attention; speeding up feedback; spontaneity; and enabling shy audience members to participate.
But I’m not sure the plusses would outweigh the minuses in most situations. I think it depends on what else is happening while the tweeting is…
No one knows better than I do the perils of having an audience use Twitter. I’ve been writing and speaking on the problem of digital distractions for years. The verdict is in on multitasking – we can’t do it; whenever we try to do two things at once, both tasks suffer, especially when both tasks involve…
A column in today’s New York Times Business section, titled “Life’s Too Short for So Much E-Mail,” suggests that the deluge of email is so overwhelming that we lose more than we gain by using it. Younger people shun it in favor of texting and tweeting. The writer, Nick Bilton, cites a study reporting that…
New statistics are very scary on teen texting while driving. Talking on the phone is bad enough, but when you add the need to read words and respond by spelling out answers, it seems insane! Many teens say they “can’t help themselves” — even though it’s illegal in many states. Texting is their main way…
This article in today’s New York Times talks about the increasing trend of companies to forbid their employees to talk on their cell phones while driving. Many companies report that this doesn’t negatively affect productivity because many calls are unnecessary and because travelers arrive at their destinations experiencing less stress (btw: stress decreases cognitive flexibility, aka…
Here’s a great Op-Ed piece in the Washington Post talking about the advice Eric Schmidt gave to graduates. There are so many reasons we need to unplug at least once a day: 1) using our brain to its fullest; 2) being creative; 3) reducing our stress; and 4) maintaining real relationships with real people.
Today’s Sunday New York Times has an article about the pro’s and cons of open-plan offices: while they promote interaction between co-workers, the sound of others talking also leads to distraction from focus and interference with private conversations. These same issues come up with our wonderful digital devices: it’s good to have ready access to…
I was just watching CNBC, which was covering Apple’s new iBooks2 software, something that allows highly interactive textbooks to be available on the iPad. It’s lauded as a money-saver (the textbooks will be $15.00 or less) and as a way to engage students by making textbooks much more interactive (in addition to making backpacks a…
I have the good fortune to be at the beach this week, and I already think I see a difference on the same beach over last year. More walkers seem to have earbuds in their ears and more people seem to be using their smart phones either while walking or as they lounge on their…