See how your focus and multitasking skills
stack up in two NYT quizzes.
Source: NYTimes.com
If you think that a computer screen jam-packed with e-mail, Excel documents, and multiple Web-browser tabs makes you a good multitasker, emerging scientific research begs to differ.
An article in Sunday's New York Times profiles the Campbells, a wired California family whose constant attachment to computers, smart phones, and video games has led (in escalating levels of seriousness) to burned cookies, poor school grades, and a $1.3 million business deal nearly lost. It might be easy to pick on them, but researchers think their behavior is indicative of the effects of our increasing addiction to gadgets.
Scientists say juggling e-mail, phone calls and other incoming information can change how people think and behave. They say our ability to focus is being undermined by bursts of information. [...]
The resulting distractions can have deadly consequences, as when cellphone-wielding drivers and train engineers cause wrecks. And for millions of people like Mr. Campbell, these urges can inflict nicks and cuts on creativity and deep thought, interrupting work and family life.
The Times has two quick quizzes you can take to test your focus and your ability to juggle tasks. (I aced the first but bombed the second.)
It's not all gloom and doom. Some research suggests positive effects of digital activities like surfing the Net (which may grow users' neural circuitry) and playing video games (which can improve reaction time and help players pick out details).
What do you think? Can you relate to the Campbells?
—Nick K. Mandle
