Author Winifred Gallagher’s new book Rapt was reviewed in the science section of The Times over the weekend. The book explores the science behind a human’s ability to concentrate. Among other things, Gallagher claims that multi-tasking is a myth. From the Times article:

“You cannot do two things at once. The mechanism of attention is selection: it’s either this or it’s that.” She points to calculations that the typical person’s brain can process 173 billion bits of information over the course of a lifetime.

“People don’t understand that attention is a finite resource, like money,” she said. “Do you want to invest your cognitive cash on endless Twittering or Net surfing or couch potatoing? You’re constantly making choices, and your choices determine your experience, just as William James said.”

The article mentions interesting technological advancements in the ability to enhance an individual’s focus. While ADD and ADHD sufferers may be limited to drugs now, in the future, they may be able to rely on a device that can trigger their ability to focus with skull-penetrating lasers.

Ear Plugs to Lasers: The Science of Concentration