Freakonomics Radio 601. Multitasking Doesn’t Work. So Why Do We Keep Trying?
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Sep 5, 2024 
Join experts Gloria Mark, a UC Irvine professor focused on human-computer interaction; David Strayer, a psychology professor at the University of Utah; and Olivia Grace, a senior product manager at Slack. They delve into the myth of multitasking, revealing its true inefficiency and the stress it brings. The conversation explores why only a few can truly multitask, the cognitive costs involved, and how digital tools like Slack can amplify distractions. They stress the importance of single-tasking for better productivity and mental well-being.
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Zeigarnik Effect
- The Zeigarnik effect explains how interrupted tasks are better remembered than completed ones.
- Unfinished tasks create a sense of tension and anxiety.
Supertaskers
- Only about 2.5% of people are "supertaskers" who can multitask effectively.
- Most people experience performance decline when multitasking.
Slack and Multitasking
- Olivia Grace, a senior product manager at Slack, acknowledges multitasking as a myth.
- She applies her experience with air traffic control testing to Slack's video calling features.