Thinking Straight in an Age of Information Overload | Daniel Levitin | Talks at Google

he information age is drowning us with an unprecedented deluge of data. At the same time, we’re expected to make more-and faster-decisions about our lives than ever before. No wonder, then, that the average American reports frequently losing car keys or reading glasses, missing appointments, and feeling worn out by the effort required just to keep up.
But somehow some people become quite accomplished at managing information flow. In The Organized Mind, Daniel J. Levitin, PhD, uses the latest brain science to demonstrate how those people excel-and how readers can use their methods to regain a sense of mastery over the way they organize their homes, workplaces, and time.

[@profautarkaw]

Bottom Line: If you are learning something new, avoid multitasking. If you are folding laundry, go ahead listen to music or watch TV. The speaker tried to clarify that a particular task like writing a lab report may require you to simultaneously refer to various resources: googling, talking to your group mate, referring a book, looking at class notes, etc. The brain loves to make interconnections for items that have a sole goal. See what Nass says in an NPR interview - "Our brains are built to receive many stimuli at one time, but they're related stimuli. The problem with multitasking is not that we're writing a report of Abraham Lincoln and hear, see pictures of Abraham Lincoln and read words of Abraham Lincoln and see photos of Abraham...The problem is we're doing a report on Abraham Lincoln and tweeting about last night and watching a KZbin video about cats playing the piano, et cetera"

[@r.ericahfit]

+Autar Kaw well said

[@profautarkaw]

Thank you!

[@u02ai]

Autar Kaw

[@jigyanshushrivastava6153]

Autar Kaw very aeticulative

[@kushagramunjal3791]

Thanks Autar 🙂

[@DenisBomfim]

Wow! That's an amazing presentation, and he didn't even open a presentation software. Thanks a lot, Google, for sharing this with us.

[@user-is3yn7xr4c]

I finished this 53:23 minutes video... and I feel PROUD of myself😁

[@OmGnomeGo]

Yes a serendipity button would be great! I miss the old old days when I ran across different but interesting random links and products through searches. Sometimes those things were from other countries

[@ridamalik6789]

I've found that I love playing chess or reading a paper while listening to talks about the brain or emotions, Having ADHD/ Aspergers, this is kind of counterbalancing my reactions to disturbing external stimuli while I'm working and instead makes it a soothing experience. Also the brain retains most of the relevant information in the form of audio even when it is engaged in a separate mental activity so different areas of the brain are being engaged. What i have found interesting is that even when i am not paying attention to the talk when reading a paper, my brain still picks up on the talk when it is mentioning something that i should actively listen to. It is like kind of a signal to my brain that this is something you need to understand better. It just seems like my brain can concentrate better when listening to talks rather than even instrumental music which is kind of strange.

[@vladimirmariozaldivarcasta2871]

Very interesting!

[@caramelcamlin6931]

@rida Can you tell more about such observations you have had, or something you could infer from them, or if anything has changed at all?

[@DharmendraRaiMindMap]

brilliant ! so many questions answered for ppl seriously looking at higher productivity . Thank you Daniel !

[@dbeentjes]

This is awesome. It explains a lot why we get so much stuck in life. ...and how to get out of it!

[@kaskito]

That awkward moment when you're watching this video while working. Ooops!!!

[@adahir100]

so glad someone finally said it - I hate "multitasking" and always knew it was NOT a good thing because I do better if focus on one thing well then move on to another, and don't stress out...I am a unitasker for sure, and have always been against this pop cult multi-tasking crap

[@jaketan5172]

Dual-tasking. Not one task at time, and not three or more. Just 2 different tasks at any one time. That's the discipline for productive work.

[@bavelibrahim2186]

wow, i love this guy so smart and simple and elegant

[@sleepsmartsmashstress8705]

Neuroscientists have to be smart talented and elegant to begin with and then their work makes them get even better. Take up neuroscience and boost your neurogensis the key to youthful brain and body

[@AnnelOlivares]

I think the time we require to take off (vacations or breaks) depends on the tasks we´re been working on and also the kind of nap, rest, break or vacatons we´re taking. Because we may go to the beach but if we still connected with stress, reading e mails, parting a lot, over eating, sleeping less, online all the time, etc I think we only get stressed on a different way but we don´t rest at all. So more than vacations we must disconnect our selves from work or whatever stress us.

[@alittlegreenjean]

there were so many good ideas in this presentation. things for me to ponder and things for me to put into action right away.

[@drjohnny89]

Thank you for the information on this , i see a great shift in our world ,and classes in high school should be taught this , human mechanics or something like that

[@GageOriginals]

Excellent information regarding the medical industrial complex and how to break down the information.

[@viaRenovo1]

Funny that the guy introducing him is overloading himself with information by wearing the Google Glasses.

[@dennistundrea1234]

jesus.

[@jjjj5452]

i'm surprised he still read an index card instead of text on the glass

[@backtoemocovers]

Jajaja you made my day

[@sleepsmartsmashstress8705]

Even if it is funny there are MASTERS of information management who can juggle limited multi tasking esp if you are a polyglot e.g I speak 22 and there are stories of chessmasters playing multiple games with several opponents. Do as he says not what he does or at least until you are presnted with those WIZARD glasses, by Google. You have to earn that title and status. Start now become a polyglot and a multi tasker but know your limits

[@bernardofitzpatrick5403]

😆

[@lanvydo9827]

Thank Mr.Levitin

[@sleepsmartsmashstress8705]

A 15 minute nap is different from a 15 minutes sleep because the CNS is not in the sleep physiology mode, but only the autonomic nervous system is in a parasympathetic tone mode with reduced sympathetic activity. It may be preferable to call this short nap a stupor state or soporific state. It is possible to benefit from only a couple of naps in the day so it would not work to replace 7 hour night time sleep with 7 naps during the day, The functions served by the night time sleep with phase IV and REM sleep components is distinct from soporific spells during which one is ordinarily alert enough to respond to sensory stimuli like phone call alarm etc.

[@-.-Rob-.-XY]

Try radiologist for multitasking….trying to report an MRI whilst knowing you have two doctors you need to ring back, one patient waiting for you to do a procedure on, then the phone rings, and while you’re on the phone another doctor arrives to ask an opinion and a sonographer let’s you know she wants to check a case with you. Multitasking at its worst for 9 hours

[@lanvydo9827]

what i have learnt in this lecture does actually help me in thinking a lot while overloading information century

[@sleepsmartsmashstress8705]

Master the art of slashing out 80% of the information as irrelevant. If you wish to get smarter forget becoming a millionnaire, that is a great start Pursuit of money keeps people dumb

[@lizgichora6472]

Very nice talk, thank you.

[@thetruthwillsetyoufree4747]

Overwhelmed easily

[@TravisWizard]

worth watching

[@meghanaiitb]

As Levitin was suggesting the Google team for a “Serendipity button”, funnily, I got this video also as a recommendation serendipitously on the feed. 18:10 Brain extenders: “If you want to be more productive or more creative, don’t load up your brain with things that doesn’t need to be there.”

[@justinpettit3432]

Great lecture.

[@altayhunoglu1375]

This man reminds me Count Olaf by Neil Patrick Harris. Voice, mouth etc.

[@Navenanthen]

Meditation..A restorative activity (?) P.s. Insightful talk. Thanks.

[@parsathil4438]

Great lecture. Nothing about meditation and it's positive effects on both brain health and constructive decision making though?

[@jessuppp]

dat scope-out at 34:25 lol

[@benjaminwiner6220]

jessuppp lol

[@MindAgilis]

What are other ways to get the most out of our brain, and maybe even to augment it? How can technology help? Can certain video games stimulate + enhance cognitive functioning?

[@CultofThings]

Music and Exercise

[@WatsitTooyah]

At right before 20:00, I would argue that this statement is true for a brain that has not been exposed to typing from a young age. It would make sense to me that brains who have been exposed to writing as well as typing from a very young age will find that each are equally embedded into neural circuitry. Just a thought, I'm no neuroscientist.

[@MrLukePierre]

The last person to wear google glasses.

[@snacklepussPSN]

Information from certain sources is now dealt with on the same level of processed foods in that they are simply designed to keep the end user ADDICTED: Information is the new food you could say: Useless information is a real current danger and is purposely churned out from various sources to create various human perceptions: The name of such information used to be called propaganda but the correct term is now *Learned Helplessness* Some common symptoms of learned helplessness include: No self-esteem - or lack of it usually where high self esteem used to be. Over Passiveness. Poor motivation and no opinions on relevant topics. Not starting simple tasks. Giving up on important friends; family or social activities. Lack of effort resulting in isolation. Frustration and or not grieving for loved ones. Constant Procrastination. Sudden loss or or no confidence. Belief that the whole system is a lie. Not seeing the point in taking things serious: Failure to ask for help or constantly thinking you dont need it. Dismissing everyone elses world view in place of your own. Wearing the same clothes for days and not bathing or showering. No longer reading books but needing audio visual stimuli. Little or zero routine in your life or no desire for order.

[@kyrosdartanian3041]

This is longer than it has to be. Being concise should be a given. This talk is not structured at all, it sounds like a ramble. If you have an hour to kill and are bored out of your mind, this is a good video to watch. If you are in need of concise information, you will find yourself irritated to sit still like me.

[@sleepsmartsmashstress8705]

Getting into a FLOW state operates akin to having a nap of 15 minutes to up to 3-4 hrs if engaged in a predominanlty motor skill like playing piano or swimming. Disney film makers must master multiple tasking and blend the visual with auditory signals or they wont produce the films, Several occuplations require that and it more sophitisticated than good eye hand coordination that many sports require from baseball to snooker or you are not a good player.

[@user-gi9qp6mo3p]

But what I argue is about him recommending to that serenity button @31:57 what we actually want is we already know so why let there be information crisis. Instead I strongly recommend a button which will be called TWIS means 'This Is What I Was Searching'. The reason here is that a lot of people actually forget what they were searching for and settle for what they got. 😱😱😱😱 #HarshReality .

[@carolel7384]

To your list of high pressure multitasking occupations with critical consequences, I suggest adding ICU nurse. If you don't agree, try following one around for a shift.

[@roxennetiny9846]

what glasses is that?

[@cnxander]

46:44 windows have that since the XP

[@thetruthwillsetyoufree4747]

Exactly I’m not a child but I wasn’t brought up on computers and exactly that’s what I have a hard time with is it secure information is it factual exactly please continue explain it because I can’t figure it out how can a child

[@nihalvallath7302]

Good

[@user-gi9qp6mo3p]

When you have to plan for a occasion that is very far TRY at least giving a hour a day of your complete focus . @Good.

[@rimaalkhani1097]

Question Do you actually succeed in organizing your thinking by this book?

[@CultofThings]

Ya, it helped me, but I combined if with the book "Power of Habits"

[@brentcrane9207]

If you look at him sideways he's Sean Penn

[@jackgoldman1]

Both are Jews. Many Jews look similar.

[@sleepsmartsmashstress8705]

Sean Penn is his cousin ha ha

[@thetruthwillsetyoufree4747]

Good question!?

[@thetruthwillsetyoufree4747]

All right I better start daydreaming either that or I’m daydreaming too much

[@SamMcDonald83]

Hmm... watching this while at work... what was his point...

[@jjjj5452]

it's usually 1% who can do these things while 99% can't because the 1% wants more productivity

[@carlacallender5629]

New phase. Processing thoughts.

[@304chance]

externalizing is wonderful but what about those questions in the job interviews that do not have remote connection to what we might ever need. I was once asked how many steps did i ascend to get to the interview room. If someone can give me light on how that kind of information in my brain can help me be productive that would be awesome

[@hstacker93]

304chance maybe it’s to test your bearing. The question could be a personality check. It’s a “tense” situation; can you handle anything that comes your ways. Don’t be perplexed upon being asked; simply answer the question because it requires little thought. You know or you don’t [but willing to retrieve the answer if need be for whatever sick game it is they’re playing with such puerile query].

[@Shashank230]

Day trading also requires multi tasking

[@lamranikarim]

I don't know who many Glucose was depleted while I am writing this comment, But I don't care I have to say this video is good, and now it's time to fitch a Chocolate bar to refuel again.Cheers.

[@Void-in2pz]

C - curiousity 9:58

[@strikingbear202]

0:06 Laugh out loud!!

[@thetruthwillsetyoufree4747]

I feel as though that company should spend more time on traffic controlling rather than controlling the traffic

[@docnortje]

Why is a guy with a google glass always looking down at his podium for his notes??

[@bajan13ken]

The google goggles, they do nothing!

[@3DHistoryAdventures]

bajan13k McBaiiiin!!

[@woodcarversmartini4313]

bajan13k that's called product placement

[@TheEaglestar1]

He's just a cyborg

[@backtoemocovers]

Is like having an iphone but i keep using my walkman

[@megacrazyscience1239]

27:41 Dont mind me just a random timestamp

[@eyal4463]

It's really disapointing the youtube and google search is so dumb it cant recommend things that are similar to our results

[@chooshchoosh]

The work load on medical interns is criminal on several levels.

[@erin51500]

Lifegaurd

[@aattiar]

I am watching this video while eating my lunch, checking twitter for a new message and opening a new browsertab while it is loading a page that I would like to read... I'm doing something wrong here.

[@lamranikarim]

You must be on a trillion glucose deficit by now , good luck

[@selmir369]

The Infinite Brain is Universe, the individual Brain is person's Mind. Brain is all body, left and right, and not only in the head. The Heart is the real mind, which is 100.000 times stronger, electrically and 5.000 times, magnetically. No one isn't their mind, nor their thoughts, nor their feelings. Mind is a tool for thinking. And feelings, you aren't them, you just experience them. Anyone can have up to 80.000 thoughts per day. But, friends and humanity, problem is only in the negativity, which comes from mind. There are evidence everywhere. God created everything, and we all live and move and have our being in God.(Acts 17 : 28). Problems all around the world are caused by Satan, who transforms as an angel of light. Angels are our messengers from God. "...the whole world is under the sway of the evil one." 1 John 5:19 , "Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness..." 2 Cor.11:14-15; 1. Created by God, but not equal to God. (Proverbs 16:4) 2. Defies God and despises truth. (John 8:44) 3. Was given limited power. (Job 1:8-12) 4. Commands a hierarchy of demons. (Eph. 6:10-12) 5. Masquerades as "an angel of light." (2 Cor. 11:14-15) 6. Plans to steal, kill and destroy. (John 10:10) 7. Rules the masses outside God’s protection. (Eph. 2:1-3) 8. Keeps seeking an "opportune time" to tempt us. (Luke 4:13) 9. Tries to hide the actual truth about our God. (2 Cor. 4:3-4) 10. Offers counterfeit promises he can't fulfill. (Gen. 3:4-5) 11. Twists Scriptures to fit his purposes. (Gen. 3:1-5) 12. Will suffer the fate he deserves. (Revelation 20:10) “The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” ― Albert Einstein: -- For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his very mind will be the greatest enemy. Bhagavad Gita,Chapter 6, Verse 6;

[@JordanShackelford]

12:30 Isn't this why Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs chose to wear the same outfit everyday? So that they would have one less decision to make?

[@jjjj5452]

oh the humanity can't spare 5 mins choosing your outfit

[@JordanShackelford]

I literally watch youtube almost 24/7 so I'm probably getting a terabyte or more of information per day XD. Surprised my head hasn't exploded. Also I think I'm autistic

[@JordanShackelford]

I stay at my house by myself most of the time and don't leave the house much because I can't talk to people

[@irinagadolina7453]

Jordan Shackelford do you have enough money

[@JordanShackelford]

Irina Gadolina lol no

[@irinagadolina7453]

Jordan Shackelford

[@JordanShackelford]

your message is blank

[@abolemar]

His book "the organized mind" did not much avoid the trap of information overload

[@kmdsakmdsa197]

تنصحني بالكتاب ؟؟

[@samdr9981]

U true. His book full of paper but the thing we need him to tell not be told. Waste of time

[@SatYouTube]

24:29

[@jacobbrechable]

A "fart" from that 6:10

[@jackgoldman1]

The more the body is used, the stronger it gets. The more the mind is used, the weaker it gets. Over loading the mind is making our civilization weaker, resulting in extremists who are binging on extremism. Too many minds, not enough grandmother wisdom.

[@MoerreNoseshine]

(As always) I find the worst (fewest stars) best (voted most helpful) review on Amazon for this book quite interesting - just for perspective: www.amazon.com/review/R1BCQFOAM2DILC/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R1BCQFOAM2DILC (the comments for the review this time are mostly 100% useless though, usually they are better).

[@-taz-]

I don't know about his book. Most advice seems obvious, and so anyone who couldn't figure it out probably couldn't benefit from it anyhow. But 24:30 is worth the price of admission.

[@swetafotani6904]

My mind wanders 24*7i can't focus on task in hand 😑😑

[@tistoni09]

watching random youtube videos with ads blasting in your face every few minutes is probably the worst thing you can do for your attention. Thank god for adblock. It's funny how Google has these useful videos while at the same time it's trying to distract and reduce productivity of its users with ads.

[@thetruthwillsetyoufree4747]

The only real way you could prove that is collecting data the data that you collect from your customers gave you the knowledge amazing what Google does with the data at least this time they are learning from you not sharing it What does it

[@drbonesshow1]

Thinking straight in the new gay world. BTW: If I had to be gay, I’d be a lesbian.

[@luminositymusic3810]

I’m uh um uhh. ? I try to uhh.

[@truthevidence68]

I actually disagree with his comments. He's a pro...so I'm sure that my personal views mean nothing in comparison, but I do disagree.

[@sleepsmartsmashstress8705]

Experts are wrong half the time so keep persenting your views Never hesitate We the experts do change our minds upon re testing hypotheses. I too disagree with many of his pionts

[@thetruthwillsetyoufree4747]

30 people get those symptoms out of 300

[@yuriphekov8925]

skip this and read a book on critical thinking

[@bombyxmori8992]

Elon musk is under multi tasking mode

[@bladiszeimeris3442]

g

[@pranabkalitarisipk8672]

Thanks Dina god mathar

[@charudattamanwatkar8340]

You're not good enough to work on the Pensky file!

[@soolee4665]

PLEASE would someone tell the English woman about her bra strap?

[@cidaoaparecido4162]

maybe she's flirting lol

[@gricius]

She horny AF

[@lamranikarim]

Damn, why did I read your message, youu just caused my glucose level to deplete

[@erin51500]

Lol this guy is so funny. And the audience is hilarious. They are asking him personal sort of questions and this guy is a neuroscientist and you can tell he doesn't fucking know how to respond but with facts and ranting about shit that then doesn't relate. Answer your question?? Hmmmm

[@fredericbeigbeder9119]

this is completly disappointing.....so he choose a clever title, that has high expectations, but the content is old stuff and to a certain degree has nothing to do with the title......

[@davidbollen3610]

The thoughtful shield premenstrually tie because voice microcephaly deceive into a damp bathroom. enormous, false familiar famous handle

[@nickxr]

Interesting but not really useful

[@animasuzie]

Is that presenter with the silly eyeglasses old enough to be out on his own?

[@DistortedV12]

This talk was disappointing. 56 minutes of general knowledge you can find perusing the side bar of any self help blog. I thought as a neuroscientist or expert, he'd have more counterintuitive insights, but his qualifications just functioned to give terse, unnecessary explanations and fluff. Dont waste your time.