In the article The Science of Multitasking, and Why You Should Doodle in Class, the author illustrates that what we commonly refer to as multitasking is actually "rapid task-switching." I was amazed by this distinction because I always thought multitasking meant two things done simultaneously. The piece also equates task-switching to "losing money," and I caught myself thinking about how frequently I check my phone during class and how all those little breaks add up. I was not shocked to learn that interruptions at work cost the U.S. a projected $650 billion per year and that it takes a typical 25 minutes to get back to a task once interrupted. That was higher than I thought, to me, because I think I get back on track faster, but perhaps I don't realize how much time I do lose. I appreciated the author's realistic advice of working in half-hour intervals without changing tasks, because it seems doable and something I could implement with my law school readings. What also surprised me was the notion that multitasking isn't inherently negative—doodling during a lecture or listening to music during exercise can really enhance concentration. Overall, the article demonstrates that multitasking can deleteriously affect productivity, but when employed carefully, minute instances of it may serve to keep us alert and attentive.
