Articles
Multitasking
It is interesting how we try to legitimize something by relabeling it. Relabeling even creates a sense of pride and ownership of a behavior that probably needs to be altered or replaced. For example, I recently explained to a political candidate who had knocked on my door why I could not conscientiously vote for someone who advocated abortion. He was quick to retort, “I’m not actually in favor of abortion; but I do believe in a woman’s right to choose.” The term “pro-choice” has reframed the debate from killing the unborn to some benign “choice”.
On a milder moral plane, a similar thing is done with the term “multi-tasking.” It has become a badge of honor to describe oneself as a multi-tasker. “Oh, I can text and drive at the same time – no problem.” Ahem, no, you can’t. The truth is you are a lousy driver when you are on the phone. “People who are busy doing two things at once don’t even see obvious things right in front of them…The researchers call this ‘inattentional blindness,’ saying that even though the cell-phone talkers were technically looking at their surroundings, none of it was actually registering in their brains” (“12 Reasons to Stop Multitasking Now!,” Health.com).
Multitasking is really being overcommitted, unfocused, distracted and fragmented. It leads to stress, mistakes, inefficiency, relationship problems and a host of other lifestyle issues. But this article is not concerned with chaotic lifestyle, per se. Rather, the question is, “Am I suffering spiritual deficiencies because of my multitasking?”
For example, are you socially aloof when in the presence of other Christians because you are on your smartphone? Are you sending the message that you don’t care, or are you too distracted to contribute anything meaningful to the conversation? Or, is your life so harried with “multi-tasking” that you are too busy to truly study your Bible, develop a supportive relationship or extend hospitality to fellow saints?
Though technology itself is neutral, it is often used without discretion. Some have become slaves to their smartphones – multitasking! – and are missing out on things in life that really matter. Sometimes we just need to put the things down and engage.
