Activity 4.4

Multitasking

In the article, “The Myth of Multitasking”, author Christine Rosen details multitasking as “shorthand for the human attempt to do simultaneously as many things as possible, as quickly as possible, preferably marshalling the power of as many technologies as possible,” (105).

Before this working definition was presented, I had never thought of “multitasking” as a choice or a conscious action (least of all an attempt); to me, it was what capable people do, it was how their very “capability” was manifested. Right now, I am enrolled in three graduate classes. I thought, “Sure, I can do all these at the same time,” silently understanding “because I am capable enough to multitask”. This understanding, meant to convey confidence, was strongly flavored with hubris. While I am successful enough in each class, it goes without saying that, if I had afforded myself the opportunity to focus on one task at a time, the quality of my work would be vastly approved.

Culturally, when asked about multitasking, it is generally accepted (by accepted, I mean proclaimed by the women and admitted by the men) that it is ladies, not the fellas, who excel in this practice. Of course, I am totally impartial... In this humorous clip, a group of men ponder the meaning of “multitasking” and debate the necessity of their involvement in the practice: 

This leads to my question:

Why is it that women are almost unanimously regarded as the superior mulitaskers?