Work Smarter: Surf the Web More
I can lose entire afternoons by surfing the web. It starts with one click, then another, then, suddenly, it 6PM.
For some, though, it's a sign of heightened productivity. From Lifehacker:
...studies were conducted by National University of Singapore researchers Don J.Q. Chen and Vivien K.G Lim. They gave students a task of highlighting the letter "e" in sample text for twenty minutes, then in the next ten minutes a control group of students were given a different simple task. Meanwhile, another group was allowed to do everything except surf the web during that break, and a third group could surf the web. Then all three groups went back to highlighting the letters.
The result, as you've guessed by now, is that the web surfers:
were significantly more productive and effective at the tasks than those in the other two groups and reported lower levels of mental exhaustion, boredom and higher levels of engagement.
Web surfing serves as a kind of rest and restorative activity, "like going for a coffee or snack break," Dr. Lim said.
Oh, right. You're supposed to stop surfing at some point and go back to work. I keep forgetting that.
Not too long ago, if you were the boss and you took a walk through your office and saw employees reading magazines or watching television, you'd fire them on the spot! It meant they were wasting time. It meant they were being unproductive.
Now, it just means they're on the web.
Back then, when you were at work, you were inaccessible to advertisers. The office was a media-free zone. Now, most of us work with the equivalent of a television set on -- or, depending on how many windows you've got open, several television sets. That's meant a sharp decline in advertising rates across all media -- more hours available to sell means more inventory, more supply; demand (and price) go down.
It's hard to believe -- despite the research -- that this has made us more productive.
Or am I being a typical anti-science conservative?
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Comments :
Mar '11
Re: Work Smarter: Surf the Web More
"Then all three groups went back to highlighting letters on a page."
Ah, yes, there's nothing like getting that stack of reports on a Monday morning which, though they are completely devoid of critical thinking, are chock-full of neatly color-coded random letter highlights.
A clear breakthrough!
(Psst! Has anyone considered the implications for the the Select All and Highlight functions of Microsoft Word?)
Oct '10
Re: Work Smarter: Surf the Web More
Go with the science, Rob. Studies show that coffee, red wine, beer, even salty snacks are good for you. All of which I learned about on the internet. Now web-surfing itself? Is this the Singularity?!
May '11
Re: Work Smarter: Surf the Web More
I really get annoyed with co-workers that spend hours managing their personal stock portfolio. Even to the point of telling me how well they are doing (or not lately). It seriously interrupts my browsing of Dilbert cartoons.
Re: Work Smarter: Surf the Web More
Part of my job is surfing the web to see what interesting stuff and which interesting people I can dig up for Ricochet. So surfing the web some more does not feel like a break to me.
I do occasionally take a break from politics to go peruse the food blogs and the wedding blogs, but a real break consists of a 10 minute walk around the neighborhood to give my eyes a break from the screen.
Jun '10
Re: Work Smarter: Surf the Web More
Youtube is a great tool for actors. The clips contain every kind of person in the world with every kind of accent in the world, and lots of slang. It's a goldmine.
May '10
Re: Work Smarter: Surf the Web More
Maybe, but remember:
Aug '10
Re: Work Smarter: Surf the Web More
When I goof off at Ricochet I get smarter.
That's my rationalization, and I'm sticking with it.
May '10
Re: Work Smarter: Surf the Web More
Fredösphere: Maybe, but remember: · Sep 13 at 10:32am
Spoilsport!
Edited on Sep 13, 2011 at 11:20amOct '10
Re: Work Smarter: Surf the Web More
Songwriter: When I goof off at Ricochet I get smarter.
That's my rationalization, and I'm sticking with it. · Sep 13 at 11:08am
Exactly how I feel.
Apr '11
Re: Work Smarter: Surf the Web More
Thank you, Al Gore, for inventing the interwebs. You are truly a hero in many yet untold ways.
Mar '11
Re: Work Smarter: Surf the Web More
Uh, waiter, can I get a refill on my coffee? Please?