The Brain: Will It Explode If It Tries to Multi-Task?

Dear Imaginary Friends,

I can picture schoolchildren all over the world saying that they cannot learn anymore tonight to their mamas, because their brains might explode.

A more effective way, though, to make our brains start to malfunction is trying to muliti-task.

In truth, all of us moms think we can multi-task. The real science, though, proposes that the brain can alternate functions, but can never truly do two things at once. Moreover, when the brain is switching back and forth between two functions, one function dominates by necessity.

For instance, if you are driving down the street while talking on your cell, you will by necessity need to give more attention to your driving. Woe to those drivers who do not.

Here is a fascinating fun fact: When  driving, it is more distracting to hear half of a conversation, as one's brain is engaged with imagining what the person on the other end of the line is saying. Having the conversation oneself or listening to a two-way conversation is much less distracting.

Curiosity indeed kills the cat. If the cat is a bad driver. With a cell phone. And a texting plan.

Your petitie ami,

Patsie

PS No, I did not make this up. I learned it at a brain function lecture, while I was trying hard not to text or check my phone messages.