Multitasking

A film by Katrin Kramer and Marion Schmidt | 2021 | arte | SR

In times of digitalization, multitasking is not only considered to be a great challenge but also appears to be unavoidable for many. The film puts the myth of effective multitasking to the test and exposes it as a huge misunderstanding.
Multitasking is both a challenge and a myth. The ever-increasing workload in complex working environments and the constant real time communication with the help of modern media clashes with the human brain and its limited attention span. What has scientific research discovered about multitasking and how can we create a work/live environment better suited to our brains?
Scientists of various disciplines have come to almost the same result: Multitasking only works to a certain degree for humans. The attempt to meet multitasking expectations damages our brain, our performance and our health; apparently also long-term. Different studies in various business sectors show that multitasking even has a negative effect on productivity, causing up to one quarter in lost revenue.