WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.650 align:middle line:90%


00:00:02.650 --> 00:00:06.580 align:middle line:84%
Almost everyone does several things
simultaneously from time to time.

00:00:06.580 --> 00:00:10.880 align:middle line:84%
Some people cook, read, talk on the
phone and watch TV, all at the same time.

00:00:10.880 --> 00:00:13.750 align:middle line:84%
Many drink a beverage and
listen to music while working.

00:00:13.750 --> 00:00:18.130 align:middle line:84%
And almost everyone knows what it’s
like to walk and eat at the same time.

00:00:18.130 --> 00:00:24.260 align:middle line:84%
But even this relatively simple sort
of multitasking doesn’t always work.

00:00:24.260 --> 00:00:29.210 align:middle line:84%
Imagine that you are walking from Point A to
Point B in a place you’ve never been to before.

00:00:29.210 --> 00:00:34.190 align:middle line:84%
In a situation like this, navigating the
route is just about all our brains can handle.

00:00:34.190 --> 00:00:34.990 align:middle line:90%
"Where am I?

00:00:34.990 --> 00:00:36.860 align:middle line:90%
Are there holes or puddles on the footpath?

00:00:36.860 --> 00:00:38.420 align:middle line:90%
Am I still going the right way?"

00:00:38.420 --> 00:00:43.264 align:middle line:84%
Staying on course takes
up all of your attention.

00:00:43.264 --> 00:00:46.430 align:middle line:84%
But at some point, you’ll have walked
the route a second time, a third time,

00:00:46.430 --> 00:00:49.260 align:middle line:90%
a 10th time and maybe even a 100th time.

00:00:49.260 --> 00:00:54.410 align:middle line:84%
Once your brain knows the way, you require less
information and need not pay as much attention

00:00:54.410 --> 00:00:56.370 align:middle line:90%
to performing the task.

00:00:56.370 --> 00:01:01.450 align:middle line:84%
A couple of landmarks are all you need
to avoid mistakes or potential obstacles.

00:01:01.450 --> 00:01:06.010 align:middle line:84%
Once familiar with the routine,
we basically run on auto-pilot.

00:01:06.010 --> 00:01:09.770 align:middle line:84%
This significantly decreases
the brain’s workload,

00:01:09.770 --> 00:01:15.000 align:middle line:84%
freeing us to take on tasks in addition
to walking, such as enjoying an ice cream,

00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:18.310 align:middle line:90%
making a phone call, or even both.

00:01:18.310 --> 00:01:22.790 align:middle line:84%
The basic prerequisite for multitasking
is that all of the different tasks

00:01:22.790 --> 00:01:26.380 align:middle line:84%
have to be able to be accomplished
without demanding our full attention.

00:01:26.380 --> 00:01:31.650 align:middle line:84%
However, if one activity takes the upper hand,
multitasking mechanisms begin to break down.

00:01:31.650 --> 00:01:34.470 align:middle line:84%
For instance, if a phone
call suddenly turns serious,

00:01:34.470 --> 00:01:36.630 align:middle line:90%
you’re likely to stop walking and eating.

00:01:36.630 --> 00:01:40.970 align:middle line:84%
Once the conversation returns to more trivial
matters, you will resume passive listening

00:01:40.970 --> 00:01:42.120 align:middle line:90%
and continue on your way.

00:01:42.120 --> 00:01:45.500 align:middle line:90%


00:01:45.500 --> 00:01:48.740 align:middle line:84%
Imagine a good friend is telling
you a story for the fifth time.

00:01:48.740 --> 00:01:52.680 align:middle line:84%
In such instances you can listen
while doing several things at once.

00:01:52.680 --> 00:01:57.270 align:middle line:84%
But this time the familiar story
suddenly takes an unexpected turn.

00:01:57.270 --> 00:02:03.440 align:middle line:84%
Your brain reacts immediately and focuses
all of its attention on this new stimulus.

00:02:03.440 --> 00:02:05.870 align:middle line:90%
This reflex can't be shut off.

00:02:05.870 --> 00:02:11.080 align:middle line:84%
It works automatically and unconsciously,
but there are consequences to this.

00:02:11.080 --> 00:02:16.240 align:middle line:84%
Not only do we neglect everything else that
is happening, but within roughly three seconds

00:02:16.240 --> 00:02:18.630 align:middle line:90%
our short-term memory is reset.

00:02:18.630 --> 00:02:21.990 align:middle line:84%
This means we’re likely to forget we
are also cooking while on the phone.

00:02:21.990 --> 00:02:26.190 align:middle line:90%
Whoops, now what’s that burning smell?

00:02:26.190 --> 00:02:30.280 align:middle line:84%
Psychological studies show that our
capacity for multitasking is limited,

00:02:30.280 --> 00:02:33.800 align:middle line:84%
indicating that humans can juggle
about seven things at once,

00:02:33.800 --> 00:02:37.500 align:middle line:84%
plus simple decisions if
not otherwise distracted.

00:02:37.500 --> 00:02:41.490 align:middle line:84%
The process becomes more
difficult in direct correlation

00:02:41.490 --> 00:02:45.090 align:middle line:84%
to the degree of muscle and movement
coordination that is required.

00:02:45.090 --> 00:02:48.950 align:middle line:84%
In some cases it’s even prohibited
to do some things at the same time,

00:02:48.950 --> 00:02:52.410 align:middle line:84%
such as telephoning while
cycling or driving a car.

00:02:52.410 --> 00:02:57.690 align:middle line:84%
We’re better off focusing all of
our attention on tasks like these.

00:02:57.690 --> 00:03:02.461 align:middle line:90%