Essential Pop Culture

For short attention spans

Multi-tasking is killing our intelligence

April 6th, 2008 by Sheraz

From The Atlantic

Walter Kirn of The Atlantc paints a very clear picture of the impact of multitasking on our lives.  His insights at times seem a little over dramatized, but the underlying truth is undeniable—we are killing our individual intelligence by constantly switching from task to task. Our brains are not computer chips and do not function the same way.  This idea of multitasking has become packaged and sold by the likes of Microsoft, mobile phone makers, and the growth of the internet.

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Mr. Kirn offers personal anecdotes as to why he has distanced himself all the distracting devices (phones, computers, etc) and style of working.  With supporting evidence he dispels the myth that multitasking makes one more productive.  Unfortunately, though he brings us to the problem he offers few solutions.

Many people and companies have stepped into this category.  There is Microsoft Outlook and task lists, Apple’s iCal, IBM Lotus Notes, and a myriad of online services which promote more productivity with less clicks.  The problem with all of these are they require a significant investment in technology—namely a computer.  I think the real solution will come from the recognition that we must be more self-reliant.  That is to say, we must do more without the aid of an electronic device.

To begin, let us start with simple memorization.  Try to remember the phone numbers of our top five contacts.  Like the T-Mobile myFaves, I will remember the phone numbers of the five people I call most.  Next, let us do the same with email addresses. They have become the de-facto phone number in the new century, so let us start there.

Next, I want to get rid of all the electronic beeps and interruptions.  The microwave beeps when the 30 second cook cycle is completed.  Do I really need a reminder of what I did a half-minute ago?  My mobile phone beeps on text messages, voice mails, emails, and more.  Let’s reduce the distractions. 

I can go on.   I bet the more we begin to actually use our brains for information retrieval and cognition rather than the typical google meta search, we will be better off. I will be able to do more in the same amount of time because my brain will not suffer the switch from one thing to the next.

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Vimeo is like youtube for people with a sense of taste

April 3rd, 2008 by Sheraz

Retread Sessions and YACHTmake a music videoon the streets of Austin. No. 3 YACHT - “See a Penny Pick it up” fromRetread Sessions onVimeo. I just joined Vimeo, where I plan to launch my video rockstar career. That, and my advertising copywriter career. These hipster kids look like they are from Austin. I lived there for a few years, and it was a fun time. I like this song.

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Meet Flock, a new web browser on crack.

April 3rd, 2008 by Sheraz

Meet Flock, a new web browser on crack.

A picture of the flow web browserThis is Flock, a new kind of web browser.  I don’t know if all you hipster kids are into this social networking and media, but this web browser wants to connect people using all these services. For the more tech-savvy of you in the group, you will notice that Flock looks amazingly similar to Firefox.

Yes, it does. It comes from the same place, but this browser is not for everyone.  It is integrated with media sites such as flickr, youtube, photobucket, and delicious.  Those of you who are online media and news whores will love this.

Flock is more than a web browser. It is a horrible, torturous device put on the internet to further degrade the productivity of those with ADD.  Try it out. You might find it easier to manage all those photo, email, and social networking accounts.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

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