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Multitasking Harmful To Productivity

Posted by timothy on from the better-turn-off-the-television dept.

Greyfox writes: "According to a CNN article, a person who is multitasking several things takes a hit on his productivity. Oddly enough, it reads almost exactly like a description of the problem with multitasking on computers; context switches cost, especially if you have to swap a lot of crap out in order to fit the new process into memory. So basically, an employee who can stay focussed on one thing for long periods of time is going to have higher productivity than one who has to handle constant interrupts. Now if I could get my manager to buy into that ..."

8 of 333 comments (clear)

  1. Twice the results? by wiredog · · Score: 4, Funny

    You pee twice as much while brushing your teeth? Better see a doctor about that.

    --

    Best Slashdot Co
  2. Don't tell that to cavalry pilots by HerrGlock · · Score: 3, Funny

    Four radios, talking to six people, a co-pilot, maps, weapons systems, mast mounted sight, scanning for other aircraft, while on a screenline looking for bad guys, setting up relief on station and tracking the movements of everybody.

    Multi-tasking? What's that?

    DanH

    --
    Cav Pilot's Reference Page
    UNIX - Not just for Vestal Virgins anymore
  3. Re:I multitask for a reason by Zico · · Score: 3, Funny

    You got that right. I've got 18 freakin' browser windows open right now, forget about all the other stuff that's open, too. I'm impatient, and some of us can actually handle multitasking, thank you. Sure, there are some times when it slows me down, like I won't read a book while listening to something like the Phil Hendrie Show because that my brain doesn't handle very well. Then again, knowing the simps that work at CNN, it wouldn't suprise me in the least if they have one browser window open at a time, spending 50% of their time just watching that little blue ball spin 'round and 'round...

  4. Re:Multitasking is ... by csbruce · · Score: 5, Funny

    Trying to think of something profound, while going for First Post.

    That'd be real-time multitasking.

  5. Sad but true by Robotech_Master · · Score: 3, Funny
    I find myself trying to multitask a lot of the time during my free time...and usually what I'm trying to do suffers for it. Roleplay online, read net news, read Slashdot, read email, read net comics, watch a DVD movie...I guess I'm easily distracted by things.

    Oooh! Bright shiny object, sorry gotta go!

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    Editor Emeritus and Senior Writer, TeleRead.org
  6. New government studies show: by Kierthos · · Score: 5, Funny
    • Sky indeed blue, research study concludes.
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    Mr. Hu is not a ninja.
  7. Re:I guess it depends on.. by jcarley · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think I have the same problem although it sounds less acute. When my wife talks to me I can't hear her. The disorder seems to be hereditary because my kids can't seem to watch tv and hear their parents either...

  8. Multitasking is ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Trying to think of something profound, while going for First Post.