File Cabinet > SMNetwork Archives
Multitaskers are "Lousy at Everything"
Scott:
[Moderators -- not sure what forum this belongs in.]
For those of you who think you can take blocking, text, and check your email at the same time...please take note of this recent study, as described in the NY Times.
“Multitaskers were just lousy at everything...it turns out that high multitaskers are suckers for irrelevancy...[they] think they’re great at what they do; and they’ve convinced everybody else they’re good at it, too.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/weekinreview/30pennebaker.html?_r=1
Tempest:
How terribly interesting! And depressing. I don't think that it's possible to do the job of a stage manager without some-to-a-lot of multitasking. Things just happen too fast for us to focus on only one thing until it's done!
My ASM got trapped in her apartment complex by downed trees, yesterday. At one point I found myself being on-book, writing line notes, tracking changes in blocking, writing an e-mail to the costume designer and trying to choreograph complex scene changes on paper, as it was our first day in the space with all the moving parts, and we get crew starting tomorrow. I know I wasn't doing the first three to optimum levels. We'll see about the scene changes, tomorrow!
Wow. I really am depressed by that article.
Lauren:
--- Quote from: tempest_gypsy on Aug 31, 2009, 02:16 pm ---I don't think that it's possible to do the job of a stage manager without some-to-a-lot of multitasking. Things just happen too fast for us to focus on only one thing until it's done!
--- End quote ---
I agree. However when we multi-task it is, as tempest_gypsy later listed, all related to our job. Thus the things we are working on are more-or-less still on the same track (all related to the show) in our brain. Yes, we will compromise doing some things to the absolute best of our ability because we are unable to focus on one at a time, but it is those who think they are able to do our job even half-decently while texting their best friend about getting together tonight and checking Facebook that unnerve me.
Hmm... I am very saddened by this article, though it was very good. I am very interested to see what they find in follow-up studies.
Scott:
--- Quote from: Lauren on Aug 31, 2009, 03:05 pm ---
--- Quote from: tempest_gypsy on Aug 31, 2009, 02:16 pm ---I don't think that it's possible to do the job of a stage manager without some-to-a-lot of multitasking. Things just happen too fast for us to focus on only one thing until it's done!
--- End quote ---
I agree. However when we multi-task it is, as tempest_gypsy later listed, all related to our job.
--- End quote ---
Well, I would say in the example given by Tempest_gypsy, that being on book, writing line notes and tracking changes in blocking are all one "track" and can be done at once: sending an email to the costume designer and trying to choreograph complex scene changes are two seperate tracks that have nothing to to do with paying attention to the rehearsal and should properly be part of homework.
Tempest:
Oh, wow! I'd love to do homework. Unfortunately, I've got a director who wants everything as soon as they think about it. "Hey, I know this is the first time you've seen the scenic pieces and how well they work, and you know nothing about our crew's capabilities, yet. But I want to know exactly how all these set changes are going to happen and I need it before we change to the next scene. Make it like a dance." ::)
I'd love to know exactly what sort of multitasking tasks they had the subjects doing, and if the proportion of technical vs. human interaction tasks affected performance?
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version