C. Fraser
Email-apneia and other disorders
Linda Stone is considered a leading thinker in the world of new technology use and its impact on society and human behaviour (check her out at http://www.lindastone.net/). She hit the news a few years ago with her personal term 
“Constant Partial Attention” to refer to a new form of multi-tasking that has us constantly scanning, assessing and reacting to multiple media inputs. “We want to effectively scan for opportunity and optimize for the best opportunities, activities, and contacts, in any given moment. To be busy, to be connected, is to be alive, to be recognized, and to matter.”
As I read it she argues that Generation Y is well adapted to Constant Partial Attention and it could be almost seen as an advantage to employers. This is contrary to recent Stanford U. research (http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/august24/multitask-research-study-082409.html ) that found that constant scanning, assessing, acting was actually a deterrent to productively (let’s not forget long term health impacts as well).
It’s just common sense that if you are constantly distracted by multiple sources of input all potentially demanding your attention that you will be in “reaction mode” all the time. What Linda does admit is that even if some folks are more adept at this triage approach they are not tapping into their creative resources. Instead of taking a break or going for a walk when they have a few minutes open they are more likely to do five more emails.
Her latest malady is email-apnea this happens when we hold our breath while ploughing through out InBox. Her concern is the long term health implications of this strange reaction that (apparently) most of us exhibit. Have a look http://www.huffingtonpost.com/linda-stone/just-breathe-building-the_b_85651.html
I’m waiting for her to create monitor implosion phenomenon. The bizarre reaction, caused by ongoing, escalating technology frustrations that results in a fist through your computer monitor!
Good read, thanks. Always looking out for weird and wonderful stuff to read