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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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NEWS ABOUT: multitask

multitask stories: 7 news summaries

 Multitasking Causes 
 Serious Brain Drain 

Constant switching of focus is inefficient, can lead to trouble

Oct 26, 09 2:44 PM CDT
(Newser) - Multitasking isn’t helping you do anything faster, and constant exposure to multiple electronic media makes people really bad at—multitasking. “When you’re pushing yourself to perform two or more tasks, especially complicated tasks, it’s not beneficial,” a researcher tells the Boston Globe . “It’s... More »

MORE ABOUT:
brain • multitask • texting • scientific study • cognitive overload • multitasking • electronic media • concentration

(Newser) - As affluent Americans downsize their household staffs, the once distinct lines between nannies and housekeepers are getting a little fuzzy, the Los Angeles Times reports. More and more, nannies are being asked to scrub the toilets along with watching the kids, and housekeepers are being asked to vacuum with a... More »

MORE ABOUT:
children • recession • multitask • nanny • cleaning • homeowners • housekeeper • economic downturn

 Multitasking 
 Can Melt 
 Your Brain 

Scientists warn of dangers of doing too much at once

Oct 11, 08 8:17 AM CDT
(Newser) - Multitasking isn’t as productive as you may think—in fact, our brains just can’t handle it. Scientists say working on many tasks at once slows all of them down, NPR reports. “No matter how good you have become at multitasking, you’re still going to suffer hits... More »

MORE ABOUT:
mental health • brain • multitask

 Multitasking 
 Is a Myth 

Imaging shows brain quickly switches among tasks instead

Oct 4, 08 9:33 AM CDT
(Newser) - Pull your ears away from that cell phone: Multitasking is a myth. New research shows we can’t really concentrate on two things at once; rather, the executive functions of the brain sweep quickly between multiple tasks. It’s thought that survival and the hunt made this rapid refocusing of... More »

MORE ABOUT:
MIT • human evolution • MRI • multitask • University of Michigan • natural selection • scientific research • executive function

PRODUCT REVIEW

Browser Solves Some Social Networking Poblems

Flock lets you see Facebook and email feeds while reading

Aug 7, 08 3:45 PM CDT
(Newser) - The web browser Flock is designed to ease multitasking for highly active web users, and it  mostly succeeds, writes Walter S. Mossberg in the Wall Street Journal. Billed as “the social Web browser,” Flock gives users a sidebar with feeds for email, and social networking, photo, video, or... More »

MORE ABOUT:
social networking • Internet • YouTube • Facebook • web browser • Firefox • multitask

OPINION

What Was   
I Writing?

Chronic distraction
—a self-inflicted malady—may seem comic, but it's deadly

Jul 23, 08 4:39 PM CDT
(Newser) - We all complain about the myriad distractions in the wired world, but Bryan Appleyard goes further in the Guardian: Distraction is not just annoying, it can kill you, and will be the downfall of democracy. “Chronic, long-term distraction” may be as deadly as smoking, and the habits of... More »

MORE ABOUT:
social networking • Internet • stress • modern man • multitask • distraction • attention

Multitaskers, It's All
in the Bag

Blog offers old and creative new uses
for that extra paper sack

Aug 19, 07 8:16 PM CDT
(Newser) - Paper bags are good for more than just school lunches and book covers. Check out Wise Bread's 25 tips, and you'll never hesitate again when the cashier says, "Paper or plastic?" Here are 10 to get you started:
  1. Ripen fruit.
  2. Make your own wrapping paper.
  3. Give
... More »

MORE ABOUT:
list • blog • multitask • crafts • luminaria • wrapping paper

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