Humans and multitasking - How much can we do simultaneously? | DW Documentary

Can humans multitask? Scientists are examining how trying to do as many things as possible at the same time is affecting our brains - and our souls.

Making phone calls while driving, checking social media at work, listening to music while studying, maintaining efficiency while working from home. Many companies still regard the capacity to multitask as a crucial workplace skill. But is this approach to work and life really effective? This documentary explores the phenomenon through a wide variety of disciplinary lenses, including kinesiology and neuroscience, occupational psychology, business management and sociology.

The outcome: our brain is not designed to accomplish several complex tasks at the same time. Attempts to do so result in stress that can exert significant damage on particular regions of the brain -- its "grey matter", for example.

This damage to the brain can also hurt the economy. A large-scale study involving companies from 20 sectors found that multitasking practices pushed turnover down by 25 per cent. But is there any way to escape the pressure vortex?

#documentary #dwdocumentary #multitasking #science
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[fabiodeoliveiraribeiro]

I'm lawyer. If I need to work on a client's case, my concentration must be total because I value my work and respect the needs of those who hire me. If I am preparing my food, a distraction can result in a shit meal. For me, it's possible to watch Netflix series on TV and use my smartphone to chat or watch the news, because in both cases the concentration doesn't need to be great. The secret is to learn to make a clear distinction between what deserves more attention and what is not very important. Self-discipline is key. If I'm reading a book, I don't even touch my smartphone. No app on it makes sound or vibrates.

[lildon]

Ah yes, nothing like half-watching a video on multitasking while also trying to multitask with doing my work

[maximus]

DW has been my favorite channel since childhood. The way DW fearlessly present science backed news is an example to all news media in the world. Even touching topics that are sensitive in a delicate scientific manner. The world needs to learn from DW. I have so much respect. Hats off to people and culture at DW!

[somerandomfella]

This is an important topic for society. People driving while making TikTok videos, families paying more attention to their phones than themselves or talking to someone while their head is buried in their phones. Not good.. 😔

[monkeygames]

This video explains in so many different ways why we should focus on one thing at a time. Very informative!

[redwanulislam]

The 'language and music' example was spectacular as well as relevant to the language learners like me. To put it in context, Now I have understood why I was unable to learn vocabulary when I would do a full time messy job with unpredictable deadlines like the doctors and nurses. Thank you DW for covering this topic . Much love from Bangladesh

[jessicaling]

Thanks for this wonderful and informative video, I am currently working as a Front Desk Agent in the most famous Hotel in Singapore .
I relate to this video on so many levels . There is so much task to do behind the scenes while using the system, on top of that we have to manage guest experience ( Obviously listening and chatting with guest but also getting my fingers to move on the computer at the same time ) the amount of stress is overwhelming even though I have all the tools needed in front of me, the challenge now is we do not have the luxury of time to complete the many task on hand and we are fighting against time while dealing with human emotions .
I feel like my job loses its value to provide excellent service as most of the time we are so fixated on just getting the things done in front of us.
Consumers are also more demanding and less impatient too in this time and age .
Anyway love your videos DW documentary, sending love from Singapore, cheers !! ❤❤

[imtiazmuhammad]

Thanks for driving our attention to effective performance rather than multitasking.

[caribeeme]

It’s called, “Switchtasking.” Look for the book: Multitasking is a Myth…

[lim]

This is a thought-provoking documentary that delves into the impact of multitasking on our brains and lives. It's true that many of us juggle various tasks simultaneously, from work to personal life. However, as the documentary reveals, our brains aren't naturally wired for this. Multitasking can lead to stress and even damage to our brains. Interestingly, it can also affect the economy negatively. This raises important questions about how we balance our tasks and whether there's a better way. An eye-opening exploration!

[michaelseitz]

Good documentary. About Mindfulness: Let's fix work, so that workers don't need fixing themselves with meditation. Mindfulness is not a tool to increase productivity 😉

[ArtUAll]

“Multitasking” is a very convenient euphemism for expecting ONE person do jobs of many people. And with technology multitasking has gotten DENSER, while people have become more depressed and angry and exhausted.

[jhonvelasquez]

I love DW documentaries. I'm a teacher and this is great for them to practice and find topics of interest. 🎉😊❤

[risussentinus]

I have always found the multitasking brains of conference interpreters and war plane pilots very astonishing.

[alisuleiman]

I agree on the point that the productivity of studying while listening to music depends on the content, the Subject and the kind of the excercise.

[MF-tyzn]

Technically, the brain can only focus on one thing at a time even if you're switching between 2 tasks every 5 seconds.

[MedEighty]

It's impossible to focus on this video, when an advert cuts it out almost every 3 minutes.

[janemoore]

I reached a point when I did the 8-5 office job that I can't do everything well and on time, and it became a mental exhaustion. Thus why I left and have been a pet sitter over 20 years now.

[Sado]

Beautiful documentary. Insightful findings with good tips.

[wmiu]

This one is so good! Informative and efficient!