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Is multi-tasking abusive?

Asked by FB (508points) August 20th, 2009

I am an observer.

So, I am curious, to hear the comments about this observation I make: The more and more I observe individuals bearing the weight of multiple responsibilities in pursuit of their goals, I wonder about the effect, and if indeed it all becomes abusive.

So, multi-tasking individuals who are content with an amplified life. Maintaining high standards. Identify yourselves, if you are out there, you super heros, we all want to know who you are. What makes you tick. We want to vicariously thrill to your exploits and marvel at your accomplishments. We lurve you.

And also, don’t be shy, those of you who feel abused. Here, you are safe to vent and moan, as we will be kind and we will be understanding, and reading your woes we promise to nurture you in your moment of need and spread the lurve you deserve.

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8 Answers

janbb's avatar

I have deliberately kept my life relatively simple as I function musch better when not over-stressed. I am fortunate to be able to afford to work only part time and do not carry a cellphone on purpose so as to be able to be present where I am. Despite this, I feel like I have more of an attention deficit disorder of late, partly because of all that comes at one in America today and partly because of Fluther! (Seriously.) But I try….

marinelife's avatar

It is definitely not all it is cracked up to be.

This UCLA study show it affects learning. Excerpt:
”“Multi-tasking adversely affects how you learn,” said Russell Poldrack, UCLA associate professor of psychology and co-author of the study. “Even if you learn while multi-tasking, that learning is less flexible and more specialized, so you cannot retrieve the information as easily.”

It also slows your ability to complete tasks if you are switching between them. See this study

All that and increased stress too!

I can multitask, but have deliberately pared my life to try to focus on a few things that matter to me and do them well.

JLeslie's avatar

When this question first popped up on my screen I thought it was going to be about how people who multi-task are abusive, not that they themselves feel abused. Interesting. That the multi-tasker is never giving anyone their full attention, maybe more akin to neglect than abuse.

I would agree that when there are too many demands on me I have felt used and abused, but I purposely try to simplify as much as possible.

YARNLADY's avatar

It depends on how vigorously an individual engages in it. Some, like teenagers, know how to multitask in a way that makes their work easier, and how to relax in between.

When adults get too carried away with the need to do more, and they forget or never knew how to organize their lives, it can be a disaster.

mea05key's avatar

Nobody can ever split they mind into two. That’s my conclusion.

Concentrate on a task and get it done properly seem to be a better way of doing things.

Habit of multitasking seem to planted in me in high school, college and university time when there are tonnes of homeworks and too many distractions e.g. games , music & so on. When i started work, I find it really hard to sit down and concentrate to get a task done properly.

rooeytoo's avatar

If the alternative is going to yoga camp and sitting around without showering and thinking about nothing, I’ll stick with multi-tasking!

I always think of my grandfather, his life was one dimensional in that his only goal was to survive. So that is not multi-task. But in order to accomplish that, he as a farmer, had to manage his stock, plant his fields, calculate how much feed needed to get through the winter. It was a monumental job. So I often wonder when people say how much more complicated life is today, if that is true. All I have to do is go to the store and buy food, I take my dog to the vet when it is sick (even if I have to drive 250 k to get there). If the car breaks down, I call the aussie version of AAA.

I like multi-tasking, I would get bored otherwise, but I prioritize, not all things in my life have the same level of importance. That is how I manage it, so nope, no abuse in my mind. I reckon I have it really easy compared to my grandfather.

The_Compassionate_Heretic's avatar

I don’t see why it would be, though I understand your meaning about the benefits of simplicity. Many times we makes things much more difficult than they need to be.

galileogirl's avatar

Only if you are flaming on line while you are telling your husband how sexually inadequate he is and taking a switch to your kid,

OK THAT’S ENOUGH! Don’t worry folks we are taking her laptop away. She has sarcasm issues.GALILEOGIRL, I SAID GO TO BED,you crazy old broad.

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