This is especially relevant for the folks in the MWF class, but may relate to our discussion in tonight's TTH class too...I ran across this article in the Columbus Dispatch which talks about how multitasking can be bad for young people...It's pretty interesting considering the way we cavalierly lauded the benefits of our younger generation's ability to multitask. Anyway, read the article, even though it's slightly long...
What do you think? They mention stuff from lacking face to face interaction (possibly to the detriment of our interpersonal skills), weakend immune systems, and impact on the brain (implicating the possibility for long term effects on the wiring of our brain related to learning). What freaks me out is that, aside from noticing the possibility of weakend interpersonal skills, we were pretty much oblivious to the sorts of possibilities. It begs the question, what are we oblivious to in our other understandings/discussions of technologies and their effect on us?
Anyway, this blog post, linking the article I saw, is an example of finding something on your own that relates specifically to what we've been covering in or talking about in class...So, if you decide to go this route for your "official" blog post, you've seen that it's possible to find interesting stuff related to course topics. And, the more related, the better.
What do you think? They mention stuff from lacking face to face interaction (possibly to the detriment of our interpersonal skills), weakend immune systems, and impact on the brain (implicating the possibility for long term effects on the wiring of our brain related to learning). What freaks me out is that, aside from noticing the possibility of weakend interpersonal skills, we were pretty much oblivious to the sorts of possibilities. It begs the question, what are we oblivious to in our other understandings/discussions of technologies and their effect on us?
Anyway, this blog post, linking the article I saw, is an example of finding something on your own that relates specifically to what we've been covering in or talking about in class...So, if you decide to go this route for your "official" blog post, you've seen that it's possible to find interesting stuff related to course topics. And, the more related, the better.
26 comments:
After reading the article and doing a little research of my own, I find a quote from Time Magazine stating "Decades of research indicate that the quality of one's output and depth of thought deteriorate as one attends to ever more tasks." And honestly, I know I’m not the best ‘multitasker’ because if I’m on the phone with my friends while trying to facebook someone else I’m either reading what I’m writing or I’ll soon hear an irritated voice saying, “Theresa, are you still there?” And I learned quickly first quarter, that sitting in your room talking to your roommates with your notes in your hand – defiantly doesn’t qualify as studying. So I agree with Time Magazine’s comment. Although, I do think that I have become better at multitasking throughout the years. I know there are something’s I can do mediocre such as facebook , listen to music, check my email and i.m. at the same time. But just because I can do them all at once doesn’t mean that’s what I should be doing. I would 100% agree with the face that if I concentrated on one thing it would go a lot better.
I don’t think that what I do on the computer has weakened my personal skills in any way. If anything it’s helped to connect me to people. Yes it’s not one of those ‘loving tender relationships,’ but I can connect faces to people. For example, I went to college already knowing my roommates and a lot about them because of technology. Had I walked into a room of strangers I wouldn’t have been half as comfortable. It’s only the people that chose to let the computer control their lives that have weakened their communication skills. You have the choice whether you will use it to enhance or impair yourself.
Okay, reading the article, not going to lie, freaked me out. I'll admit, I can't multitask very well, for instance, I can't walk and text at the same time, I run into things. But still, when it comes to studying, the first thing I do is open my laptop and put on some music, check my facebook, and then look at the assignment. However, I get a lot more enjoyment out of talking to someone face to face, as opposed to messaging them on facebook or texting them. I like to see someone's face when I talk to them...like to make fun of them when they make a weird face, and all that jazz.
Multitasking really takes away from the quality of your work, because you are trying to do so much at one time, you forget something to add in your paper, your friend on the other end of the phone conversation is ten seconds away from hanging up on you because you forgot you were holding the phone, and you are totally losing that game of yours because time just ran out. Focus is a dying art, because with like computers, you can do so much at once. I can be, for instance, writing this comment, and mid-way through switch over to facebook and back again...not that I'm doing that...this time anyway.
Some additional questions might be: Do you like attending social gatherings where you meet a lot of people face to face? Are you a good talker? Do you mind meeting strangers? Do any sorts of social activities (considered by most people to be normal) make you anxious? Do you avoid certain places to avoid people? And, I could go on. To some extent I consider myself a misfit...in that I can run a line of bull as good as the next guy, but when left to my own devices I don't like to interact with people very much. The other shoppers at Walmart annoy the hell out of me. There are certain bars I won't go to merely cause I don't want to run into certain people. How much of this is personality? Perhaps, I'm a bit of an introvert. And, how much is encouraged by technologies that make it possible for us to avoid personal (face to face) contact?
A year or two ago, I read an article in Time Magazine (maybe the quote frylover found was from that article) that discussed young people's multitasking at length. It was a really interesting article, and it made me realize that multitasking isn't the best way to get things done. I think our generation has to be constantly stimulated, and the best way to assure that happens is to be doing several things at once. For example, as I write this, Facebook is open in another tab, I'm IMing my friend, and I'm listening to music on iTunes. It was easier for me to multitask in high school because a lot of the work I was doing wasn't very difficult. I don't do it as much in college (save for right now) because the work is definitely harder and requires more undivided attention. When I'm just relaxing on the weekends, I'll usually multitask because Facebook and IMing aren't really things that require a whole lot of mental capacity.
Reading the article made me sort of scared to the fact that "wow I actually do that sometimes." I think that everyone nowadays multi-tasks and tries to do a bunch of different things at once it's almost like we've been bought up that way. As to the questions of the downsides I have honestly never heard anything like that but I could imagine that people sitting in front of the computer all day and not working out or doing things like that would contribute to those things. I think that multi-tasking helps create skills for later on that do actually help but maybe there are downsides.
I think that people look at technology as such a good thing that they can't even fathom any negative affects on the human body or the human mind. I think that technology can have a negative affect on people and their way of life but I don't think people would really think about that because they are so blinded by the positive.
I found this article very interesting and very similar to what we were talking about in class on monday. As stated in the article the kids are letting it take over their lives, putting off homework and letting their grades slip is their own fault. It shouldn't be the parents ful responsibility to make sure their kids know when enough is enough. Kids want to mature and grow up fast so they have to know when they need to settle down and work on their school work. The technology is abusing them they are not abusing the technology.
To respond to your comment Paul, I think that technology and personality make up exactly how a person decides if they want to go out to a certain bar. I think technology does have its affects on social settings, it's way easier after class to go back to my room, play guitar, listen to music, mess around on my laptop and do homework than want to go out and meet more new people. It's not that I don't want to meet new people, it's just hard to get things rolling. Once you have established a certain amount of ground with someone I think it's alright. I guess I diverged a little, but anyways I don't talk in chat rooms or anything in particular, but I have played xbox live and I think it is really important to note that people are SO much more open to each other on there. There's no threat of having your ass kicked for messing with some 300 pound linebacker who sucks at Halo 3 and I think there is a certain amount of comfort in that. It's nice to have no one telling you what to do, what you can say, what you can't say and that's why these are gaining so much popularity as a means of talking to others.
What are we oblivious to in our own discussions? Well, I think that that varies, but I'm sure we will always be oblivious to something. We can't (between the 21 or so of us in class) know everything there is to know about each subject - for example each technological gadget - we discuss. Something will always be left out. Which brings attention to the fact that although we discuss our personal points of view on the subject matter and read a little bit about it - there is still a lot of research to be done on any subject. Just like Bean, Chappell, and Gillam said in "Reading Rhetorically", you have to stop and listen to the conversation to understand what is going on before you jump in with your two cents.
As for the artical itself, other than bringing up this important point, I thought that it was interesting in the way that it talked about children doing worse in school when multitasking. That's a point I've always agreed with - even when I was in high school. When attempting to do homework, IM, text message, and surf the Web a kid can't really be taking in, understanding, and storing the information from their text book. They should, instead, set aside a time for homework and then do all that other stuff not in that time period. "All things in moderation" as the Teal table says.
From reading the article I can agree with the information presented. I do feel that multitasking is becoming a big part of the world especially with todays youth. Its funny to think that kids can do all of these things and still be able to honestly say that they are doing their homework. I believe that it is apart of the parents responsibility to maintain when to balance play/work time. They need to set good examples for their kids so they know what time is for what. I remember when I was a kid that I would always have to do my homework before any other kind of entertainment activity. The research that was presented I felt was pretty strong. The part about affecting immunity I think is very true. To sum it up, technology has entered the phase in society when it controls lots of things most of which at the same time.
I think like in any generation, certain fads are bound to be in craze. For our generation it's been computers, music, tv, or anything technological because we are in a technological age. Reading about what people do when they multitask and the consequences is interesting. However, it doesn't surprise me. There have been numerous researches on many things that show harm to human health. Almost everything can be harmful to us. I also think people multitask because our society emphasizes on time so much. You have to arrive, eat, do homework, leave, drive, breath...in time. If we don't then there would be consequences and most likely be reprimanded. Therefore, people try to do more things by multitasking. Which has evolved into people doing like what that article talks about.
I think that the article brings up several good points. Several times i'll try and do a couple things at the same time but usually when i just turn everything off, put on my isolation headphones and focus on my stuff, I'll get down to business.
I think that I find myself on the more social side rather than the online stuff. I feel that the AIM thing was alot bigger in high school than it is here in college. I'll just call someone or text them and meet up with them. I think that the kids 5-10 years younger than us and are going to see a lot bigger of a problem than the 18-25 age range will. By problem I mean having significantly less face-to-fac interaction. I love meeting new people and being at social events. Being tagged in photos you dont remember always seems to be fun. lol
I have to consider myself an "anti-social" person to an extent. I dont fair well in juts going up to people and making casual conversation. This not to say I avoid social interaction all together. I can talk to people pretty easy. I Just need to get warmed up.
I don't think technology has effected this casue I can remember being like this way before I descovered IMing and all that jazz. I can though understand that this can lower people ability to function in the real world.
I know a kid that would talk and talk online to people around the world, but I'd bring him to a party and he'd sit in the corner sulking. He couldn't handle an environment of face to face interaction. I think it simply comes down how much a person relys on this as therer window to the world, but in my opin on nothing beats a good party.
First i would like to say i believe some of the stuff they are saying but i never believe "theories" especially psychology ones until they have been duplicated many times. A lot of times in psychology a theory ins't proven the same it is in say chemistry. For the most part i can see where most of the article is coming from. I do know when i try to multi task while doing homework it doesn't go so well i usually miss some simple stuff. Then again in this age a lot of people demand us to multi task as much as possible especially in the business world. Many people are overloaded with work so having these multi tasking "skills" is demanded by our future bosses. Even though i think it is bad and somewhat harmful, we have to be able to do it or we will get nowhere in life.
I remember when I was a kid, I always watched cartoons while doing (not very well) my homework. And it became such a habit that I couldn't focus on my work at school. Today, I watch T.V., check my facebook and myspace and listen to music all at the same time. Granted, there is no way in hell that I can focus on one thing when all that is happening. However, i don't think that the fact that I "technologically multi-task" affects my interpersonal skills. I consider myself a very out-going person, sometimes to the point of annoyance. I always perform better when other people are around. I don't get stage fright. And i make friends very easily through real life.
i am definately more of a social person in that i prefer face to face communication rather than texting or a phone conversation. however, i consistantly see benifits in the ability to multitask, but that doesnt mean that im going to do it all of the time. sometimes in life i feel there is just too much to do without multitasking, and unfortunately i can't put as much effort into each little thing as i'd like, but sometimes that's just how it goes. in a perfect world i could spend hours on each little thing and make it the best quality i could ever ask for, but then i'm SOL for the other things i need to do that day. i agree that constant multitasking would effect many things, such as the ability to process knowledge and even one's immune system, but i don't see harm in multitasking in moderation. hell, i am listening to my ipod as im writing this, but i don't think that necesarily means that 20 years from now i will have an immediate mental block on a topic of this nature. i think it all comes back to time-management; i think its great that someone can listen to his/her favorite music while they check their email and check their facebook and carry on a conversation with someone online. however, at the same time, that doesnt mean that this should happen all the time. sometimes people are just busy and their ability to multitask can come in quite handy, but as soon as it starts to interfere with a personal relationship, or a class grade, or something generally important, then there is a problem.
it's tough to tell how much we are oblivious and how much we pay attention to. i suppose that's why we need reaction w/ other people from time to time, because it's far easier to analyze someone else than it is to analyze yourself.
Like most people that responded to this article the whole idea that multitasking can have so many effects on the body is a bit scary. I just always think that it is weird that kids that are not that much younger than me are growing up in in such a different way with cell phones and highspeed internet. I do think that multitasking is important in the work world, but if you are doing your homework or trying to learn I think it is just important to focus on one thing at a time. It will be interesting to see the long term effects of this kind of living on todays youth. It kind of feels like kids feel like they need to be on top of everything and maybe they should focus more on being a kid before they can't do that anymore. It seems like a lot of these people are applying unneccesary pressure where none is needed. I do multitask sometimes but when I study or I am really interested in something I make sure to take my time and really absorb the information, because when there are numerous things being done at once it is really hard for me to really learn. In all I think it is great that kids are learning some responsiblity out of this because they can function in a highspeed world, but on the other side I think they are putting way too much pressure on themselves.
The article was pretty interesting. It made me think of my own study habits and how i do my work. I usually always have some music playing and my laptop in front of me. its weird to think by doing this, it can have long term effects on learning. I don't really like to have a million things going on at once though.
Talking online with people can take away from social skills but in some ways it can often help people who are too afraid to express themselves in person. this isnt necessarily a good thing though if they always make it their crutch. people should be able to talk in real life and online so they don't lose their social skills.
As I am responding to this, I am multitasking- I'm watching Survivorman. Les Stroud mentioned that multitasking is survival. How,then, is the impact on the brain bad? It will have long term effects on the wiring, but I almost want to say 'that's the way it goes'. We are changing so much. "Change is inevitable. Adapt." Multitasking is good and bad, depending on what the task is. If one mixes studying with television, that may not be the best thing because the mind is going in all directions. With something like cooking, for instance, it is good. You have to multitask to get everything done at the same time so nothing is cold. So, maybe it's not so bad.
Our interpersonal skills may be disappearing, but is that a bad thing? With the way and the rate that technology is going, I'm not sure if we're going to be able to stop it. We are coming up with all these tools to have communication be more convenient. We have web cams, email, IM. It seems like we should pick what we want to do: either stop inventing these things if we believe they are so detrimental, or just let them be and stop complaining. Unless we make a decision, we will always be in conflict.
One has to know when multi-tasking should be stopped. If I'm just sitting in front of my laptop and fooling around on the internet, and a friend texts me on my phone, I respond. The computer doesn't need my full attention at the moment. Though if I am on the phone with a friend, it would be a bad idea to go on the computer, or watch t.v., because it is impossible to focus on two things at once. I know that when I do homework, I have to completely remove myself from my dorm room, or any distractions that take me off of the subject I am studying for.
I think it is going a bit overboard when my high school banned students from listening to ipods when walking thru the halls because of the worry that a ipod listener would be more of an intravert, instead of an extravert. One can't force someone to be more of a social person, and taking away ipods in the hall wouldn't help the cause in any big way. It is just putting more limitations on our already strict high school schedule. It's all about balance, one should know when it's not a big deal to multi-task, and when to buckle down and concentrate. We're adults, we should be able to know by now what works for our own learning styles.
This article I found very interesting. I do agree that kids have more to distract themselves like their Ipod or the T.V. but I also think that article came up with some pretty extreme outcomes. For example, “tech-savvy kids might not be gaining the necessary people skill to succeed in the workplace because of digital multitasking”. If anything it is going to help kids in work place in the future, as many companies are becoming more computer based. Like at Kroger’s or the Public Library in Cincinnati costumers can now check out their books or buy their food without having somebody to help them. The article also says, “[they] are missing all kinds of nonverbal cues-the nuances of facial expressions, the tone of voice.” Growing up with the computer and internet will only help kids learn how show their emotion through typing.
Of course though when kids are studying or concentrating on something that is important they should not have the T.V on or be on the computer because it is more easily to be distracted. But I don’t think the T.V and computer are the only problems with distraction. I know for myself, any noise, somebody talking in the hall or something happing outside will distract me. I just think that the scientist just wanted to find something easy and already controversial to blame it on so they could get their point across much easier.
When I read this article, I was actually quite surprised that multitasking can cause so much stress and cause other suck problems. But, thinking about it, multitasking being stressful does make a lot of sense. People are making their bodies do several different things at once,putting more pressure to get several things done at once. I think that it's extremely hard not to multi-task. Either we have grown accustomed to listening to music or watching tv while we do our homework. I know that I have to have something on while I do my homework because I like to have background noise (that doesn't include screaming). Also, many jobs out in the world require you to multi-task. I have worked as a server for almost three years now. When working you must be able to take care of several tables at once, for instance, greet another table while taking drinks to a different table, then take an order for yet another table. One must be able to remember something that three different tables asked for, take an order, get drinks, manage to mark all the food markings right, ring in all tables checks, and not to mention doing side work (bringing up dishes, low food, ice, etc.) One could never be a good server is he or she did not know how to multi-task. So, what I realize is even though multitasking is bad for our health, for a lot of jobs it is not possible to go without it.
I think that the article hits some good points. We are totally oblivious to the quality of what we do as the quantity of what we are doing rises. We try to do many things at the same time, and the article really made me wonder about my own habits, and if my quality of work is decreasing due to multi-tasking. I mean, I always try to say I'm terrible at multi-tasking because I can't type and talk at the same time and I really don't do well when i do multi-task, but it makes me wonder because I still do it a lot.
Personally, i am not very good at multi tasking with bigger things than texting and of that sort. I try to stay away from it when i can. I found the article to be very interesting with all of the research and brain talk included in it. I also thought it was interesting that they (kind of) say only kids and teens do it because i think a lot of middle age business people do it for work and such. The part of weakened immune system was hard to believe for me. I think it might to be from something else which linked to multi-tasking, but not directly multi- tasking. I never really liked doing it and i think reading this article will help me keep it that way.
Maybe I'm biased but i feel like this article was written to comfort those not so tech savy old people out there who get scared shitless everytime a new type of common software comes out and complains about how "back in my day we had to walk 15 miles up hill both ways to the library to get information!" Claims that it cause immune deficiencies because of stress is stupid. I don't like homework, it stresses me out and in turn could cause my immune system to fail. O me o my time to get rid of homework! The other claims are common knowledge doing more things at once makes it harder to focus on one thing. Thats almost the point of multitasking though is to divide your mind into several tasks... Just seems all very silly. Giving parents an excuse to be better parents really. "Well now that an article says all this stuff is bad for them I can actually show some parenting skills off and limit internet usage, tv time and so on.
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In todays world multitasking is a must for most people. Most jobs require multitasking as a skill. Multitasking does bring quality down because your trying to do different things at once. College students that have to work full time to pay for school probably have a harder time because they have to multitask. I think multitasking is a important aspect in the future with more and more technology coming maybe we will be able to make something that takes some of the burden of multitasking
I think that multi tasking could potentially be a problem. It diverts our attention from the most important task at hand, and for myself (the procrastinator), this makes work difficult. As far as the impact on the brain, I feel as though this would be a long-term concern. I don't think that the occasional multitasking could lead to terrible things.
What scares me more is when kids multitask while driving. If it’s messing around with a stereo, ipod, text messaging, talking on the cell, ect. This is where a serious concern should be.
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