Read Me (Only)

Weak or strong, both digital and human masters have a penchant for "thrashing." In the case of the former, thrashing is a sign not of cruelty but of poor programming. It happens when the computer becomes overwhelmed with tasks and, as a result, accomplishes none of them. With dozens of programs clamoring for CPU attention, the computer spends all of its time switching between tasks. True to the old maxim, the computer, unable to please everyone, chooses to please itself by squandering the system's resources. Only the intervention of a programmer can break the cycle.

While smart programming can save the computer from thrashing, nothing can save us from its human equivalent: stress. Thrashing happens when the computer can't choose between bytes; stress happens when we bite off more than we can chew. Like the computer, we are paralyzed, overwhelmed by the mountain of tasks we must juggle. Instead of switching madly, we find ourselves consumed by worry. And it's unlikely that our celestial programmer will intervene.

Neither computers nor people can truly multitask, but computers are better at pretending. All of that may be changing, however. With the advent of Intel's Core Duo processors, the newest personal computers really can do more than one thing at a time. Unable to upgrade our brains, we may become second-class citizens in the age of multitasking.

Perhaps rather than fighting our limitation, however, we should embrace it. Start now by turning off your cell phone, your television, and your computer*. Clear the army of papers and sticky notes from your desk. Shut the door, take a deep breath and—if only for a moment—just read. Rejoice in your inability to do more than one thing at a time. After all, it's part of what makes you human.

*Print this essay first, of course.