With the advent of information technology, multi-tasking has been a very abused word - writing code while managing a project, working on 2 or n different complex tasks at a time (and your boss expects both tasks to be accomplished the same day), chatting while working, etc.  Studies show that multi-taskers are probably doing a lousy job if they’re trying to do more than four things at once.  By the way, this looks like the story of my professional life, except for the chatting part of course.  Read this:

Researchers at the University of Oregon have concluded that the human brain has a built-in limit on the number of discrete thoughts it can entertain at one time. The limit for most individuals is four, according to the research team led by University of Oregon psychology professors Edward Awh and Edward Vogel.

The multitasking cap is not affected by the complexity of one’s thoughts. Surprisingly, as many complex concepts can be retained in short-term memory as simple thoughts, the researchers found.

They said that people with high IQs can think about more things at once but that doesn’t mean they have easier time passing tests or having successful jobs.  They can store more memory but not necessarily that clear.  I’m trying to think of how I can make a parallel example of a computer but… I can’t think clearly while watching the TV.