There’s already plenty of research out there that says that multi-tasking is a myth, that you’re just context-switching and not actually getting any of your individual tasks done any faster.  New research suggests that it’s actually worse than that: not only does your multi-tasking keep you from getting your stuff done any faster, but it also impedes others from paying attention.

Let’s look at this the context of Anil Dash’s recent strawman-filled diatribe against those who wish people would turn off their mobile devices when they’re at the cinema, in which he says the following:

I hear the arguments the fussy film people are making. They’re all super, uniquely sensitive to light pollution, and the brightness of the screen is incredibly distracting to viewing the screen.

It’s not just people who are “fussy” or who are “super, uniquely sensitive to light pollution”.  It’s distracting, and (as the author of the study I referenced above puts it) disrespectful to your fellow audience members.

I’ve been trying to leave my laptop back in my office when I’m in meetings, unless I’m actively taking notes with the laptop (since I type faster than I write).  This gives me even more reason to do it.