A message to bosses everywhere: multitasking could cost you serious money

Technology is transforming our lives, making the instantaneous exchange of information and ideas commonplace around the world. But can the wiring in our brains keep up with the speed of computer-based gadgets?

In Asia, it's common to see motorists animatedly using their mobile phones as they drive; or school kids listening to music and texting while they bicycle across busy roads; or train passengers playing video games while listening to music and chatting.

That's nothing, of course, to the multitasking computers can do. Or what we can do with the help of computers. We can network with Facebook, send and receive e-mails, write an article, send a multimillion-dollar proposal around the world, watch YouTube and talk to colleagues, all more or less simultaneously.

But two recent news items suggest multitasking may not be a good deal or even clever.

British transport authorities increased the fine last week for using a mobile phone while driving to £100 (HK$1,212) plus three penalty points.

More interesting is a study from three researchers at Stanford University in California that suggests chronic multitasking could be bad for you even when you are not multitasking.