Multitasking
Erica Chambers
Dr. Wolfgang Lepschy
ENC 1101
February 12, 2015
Summary Response
In “Multitasking Can Make You Lose . . . Um . . . Focus,” an article published in the New York Times, Alina Tugend observes how multitasking has become an accepted day-to-day practice. Tugend argues that even though multitasking can keep things entertaining, it takes away focus and we are not being as productive as we believe ourselves to be. According to Tugend, our brains may only need a few seconds to switch between tasks, but when it comes to switching between two tasks that require undivided attention, it can be fatal. Taking into consideration her own habit of shifting focus from one responsibility to another, Tugend confirms that we are more likely to self-interrupt than we are to be interrupted by others. Tugend concludes that multitasking isn’t always efficient; training is the key to learning the “art of single-tasking” (718). While Tugend utilizes researched evidence to assert her claim that multitasking is ineffective, she fails to acknowledge the positives in how it can increase work productivity and lower costs, help to deal with distractions, and trigger creativity. When it comes down to a work environment, multitasking is rather important; there is never going to be just one assignment that calls for attention. Multitasking is an excellent way to make sure that the job gets done while keeping productivity in mind. Tugend may contend that multitasking “can put us under a great deal of stress and actually make us less efficient” but that is dismissing the skills that can become valuable to a company (714). On many job applications, there is more than likely a section that asks about additional skills that can help in “advancing the company” or “how well do you handle change?” when it comes down to the assessment. A variety of jobs may need to be completed by the end of the day and instead of focusing on just one, time and money can be saved by dedicating attention to
Dr. Wolfgang Lepschy
ENC 1101
February 12, 2015
Summary Response
In “Multitasking Can Make You Lose . . . Um . . . Focus,” an article published in the New York Times, Alina Tugend observes how multitasking has become an accepted day-to-day practice. Tugend argues that even though multitasking can keep things entertaining, it takes away focus and we are not being as productive as we believe ourselves to be. According to Tugend, our brains may only need a few seconds to switch between tasks, but when it comes to switching between two tasks that require undivided attention, it can be fatal. Taking into consideration her own habit of shifting focus from one responsibility to another, Tugend confirms that we are more likely to self-interrupt than we are to be interrupted by others. Tugend concludes that multitasking isn’t always efficient; training is the key to learning the “art of single-tasking” (718). While Tugend utilizes researched evidence to assert her claim that multitasking is ineffective, she fails to acknowledge the positives in how it can increase work productivity and lower costs, help to deal with distractions, and trigger creativity. When it comes down to a work environment, multitasking is rather important; there is never going to be just one assignment that calls for attention. Multitasking is an excellent way to make sure that the job gets done while keeping productivity in mind. Tugend may contend that multitasking “can put us under a great deal of stress and actually make us less efficient” but that is dismissing the skills that can become valuable to a company (714). On many job applications, there is more than likely a section that asks about additional skills that can help in “advancing the company” or “how well do you handle change?” when it comes down to the assessment. A variety of jobs may need to be completed by the end of the day and instead of focusing on just one, time and money can be saved by dedicating attention to