[Phys-L] multitasking

[John Denker <jsd@av8n.com>]

I wrote:

> > > I reckon that 10% of the population is born with the
> > > multitasking skill, and another 80% can learn it, and the
> > > remaining 10% will never learn it, which is OK.

On 06/06/2012 01:20 PM, Bernard Cleyet wrote:
> Most of the evidence I've read (and please don't ask for a reference)
> is multitasking is N.D.G.  To what I think JD et alii are referring
> is serial tasking.
>
> bc  a serial tasker.

I stand by what I wrote.  Multitasking simply means waiting for
one task to complete before beginning some other task(s).

Also it has been known since at least 1962 that sufficiently
rapid context switching is indistinguishable from simultaneity.
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_George_Kemeny

For that matter, it is known that outright simultaneity is the 
rule, not the exception, for human thought.  In the human brain 
there are on the order of 10^11 neurons and 10^15 synapses, all 
operating in parallel.

Some of us humans can walk and juggle and talk at the same time.

> p.s.  don't text and drive.

Note the following contrast:
 -- In many jurisdictions, drivers are _forbidden_ to talk 
  on the phone while driving.
 -- Meanwhile, pilots are _required_ to talk on the radio
  while flying the airplane.  It's a requirement for getting
  a pilot certificate, at any level from private pilot on
  up;  see e.g.
    www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/airmen/test_standards/pilot/media/FAA-S-8081-14B.pdf
  where it mentions "transmits".

More generally, consider the part where the Practical Test
Standard talks about division of attention:

> > the examiner shall cause realistic distractions during the flight portion of
> > the practical test to evaluate the applicant’s ability to divide attention
> > while maintaining safe flight.

I find it ironic that an activity that is forbidden in the 
car is required in the airplane.