multi-tasking

Everyone is talking about multi-tasking these days. Most of what I hear refers to students who are talking on the phone, sending text or chat messages, listening to music, and working on homework all at the same time. But how about at work? I would say we are in the same boat.

For instance, today I have three computers on (and doing different tasks at each of them); taking 5 minute measurements (which includes getting up to move the ADV every 5 minutes); shuffling through spreadsheets every 20 minutes to crunch numbers with a macro; working on this blog; coordinating travel and conferences; and staying connected via email. That is not to mention the continuous sound of water rushing in the background (it is not music, but it certainly has similar qualities and distractions). This seems like plenty to do all at once!

I don't mind multi-tasking, but at the end of days like this I can't wait to just take it easy. I want to veg out by watching a movie or do something else that takes me away from the computer. I swear that I never used to get this exhausted by doing so much at once. The word on the street is that being exposed to so many inputs at the same time is mentally exhausting. Technology is supposed to make our lives easier, not necessarily be used to do more at one time, right?

This makes me think of something I heard on NPR the other day - that music videos are getting flashier and cut between scenes more quickly than the past. This is in part so they are more easily viewed on small screens, but it is also so that they catch your attention. This makes me think that the advertising methods in the flick WALL-E are more possible than ever. I wonder how long it will take for us to ignore all the inputs...we are apparently training ourselves already.