Multitasking: Good or Bad? (Argumentative Essay)

These days, it is very rare to find people who do not multitask. Multitasking has become a part of our lives (Wihbey, 2013). What is multitasking that it became something that people resort to in doing their jobs? Multitasking is doing multiple jobs simultaneously. In doing this, you get to finish more jobs in a given amount of time. With the increasing amount of work that needs to be done, this can be very helpful. Furthermore, the ability to multitask effectively would sound appealing to a job employer (Lapowsky, 2013) for the reason that a person could finish a lot of jobs in a short period of time. This makes multitasking sound like a definite advantage but it really is not. Although multitasking can increase the quantity of outputs and save time, it can decrease the quality of outputs and cause health-related problems.

            Multitasking is doing multiple jobs at the same time. This means that it could help people practice time management. For example, while waiting for the washing machine to finish washing the clothes, one can cook food or clean the house instead of doing nothing but wait for the washing machine to finish. In doing so, more tasks can be accomplished in a period of time.

            Multitasking can also keep a person occupied (Silverman, 2010). This appeals mostly to impatient people. For instance, when one is waiting for an email, one can go to another site and pass time there. This helps the person to not lose their patience. It could also help the person to become more quick in thinking.

            Lastly, multitasking can help increase the quantity of our outputs in a limited amount of time. Because of the fact that we are doing multiple jobs at the same time, we can finish a lot of jobs in a small amount of time.

            While these examples may sound appealing, multitasking can be disadvantageous. For instance, when we do multiple jobs at the same time, the quality of our output becomes lesser. Doing multiple tasks at the same time would divide our attention between the tasks. Having our attention split in different jobs gives a higher chance of missing some details that may be a vital part in our work. As a result, it will decrease the quality of the output. This is why it is better if we focus on finishing one job than doing multiple jobs simultaneously. Furthermore, switching between tasks would require time to reorient oneself on the task that should be done. Doing this continuously will over-stimulate the brain. (Deeb)

            Another negative effect of multitasking is lacking the ability to focus. After constantly switching between jobs, a person is expected to become used to this and will now be prone to getting distracted by the simplest things. They become unable to ignore any information in front of them and tend to take in as much as they can. This could result in having a short term memory. This is caused by the overload of information that is too much for the brain to take in which results in the brain forgetting every information that was put into it. (Deeb)

            Lastly, Multitasking can also increase a person's stress levels. Performing too many tasks at a time causes a person to become stressed and when people become stressed they would have a hard time doing their job which could lead to overexertion. 

            In conclusion, multitasking takes too much toll on the brain. It is important that people are informed of this fact for them to be aware of what could happen if they keep on multitasking. Its practice should be kept to a minimum to prevent wearing out the brain. This could lead us to a whole new society that could focus on what is important and could produce good quality outputs. 

Reference

Deeb, C. Bad Effects of Multitasking [Web log post]. Retrieved from        http://smallbusiness.chron.com/bad-effects-multitasking-32419.html

Lapowsky, I. (2013, April 17). Don't Multitask: Your Brain Will Thank You. [Web log post].       Retrieved from http://business.time.com/2013/04/17/dont-multitask-your-brain-will-            thank-you/

Silverman, D. (2010, June 19). In Defense of Multitasking. [Web log post]. Retrieved from             http://blogs.hbr.org/silverman/2010/06/in-defense-of-multitasking.html

Wihbey, J. (2013, July 11). Multitasking, social media and distraction: What does the research      say? [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://journalistsresource.org/studies/society/education/multitasking-social-media-  distraction-what-does-research-say#

To Prosper or To Treasure? (Entry Essay)

Have you ever been to Manila Bay? The place that is known for its ever breathtaking view of the sun as it sets and seem to slowly disappear into the waters.

                        For many years now, the Manila Bay has been a place wherein you can catch a glimpse of a beautiful scene that would make you stop and just watch. It is one of the places that is considered as something to take pride of as a Filipino. This is because it isn't only enamoring us citizens but also tourists who come from outside the country to spend their vacation here. This caused the area to somewhat prosper as it gains more guests.

                        A few months ago, the local political figures in that area had disclosed their plan in building a city on the waters of Manila Bay. They said that it would be a city with lots of hotels and casinos that features it magnificent view of the famous sunsets of the bay. It would be called "Solar City" because of its sunset feature. And since it would attract a lot of tourists, it is going to become a place where the people could find more jobs in the city. Thus, can earn more money and could prosper more.

                        Yes. Everything they said was positive... but what about the negative side of this? Although people can have more jobs in the city, those who don't live in it would only lose more jobs since the tourists will most likely stay in a more exciting place. Also, to build a city on the waters will cause the fishes living in it to lose their homes. In line with this, the fishermen would find a hard time to catch fishes. And last, the city would block the view of the sunset from the people living in the bay. Alas, one of the most prized treasures will be lost.

                        The facts have been laid out for you. The decision has not been made. Which do you prefer? To prosper or to treasure?

Music and Us (Extended Definition Essay)

Have you ever thought of a life without music? For a long time now, music has become a large part of our lives without our knowing it. Why and how did it become a huge part of our lives? Every day we hear music, whether it be from the classic radio or from the Ipod, from an instrument or from someone's singing, or just the rhythmic tapping of people's feet . It is now unimaginable for our lives to be without music. What is music exactly that it became something essential to our daily lives? Music is a form of art that provides physical, mental, and emotional benefits.

            One cannot tell exactly where or when it started although it is believed that it had begun in Africa in the prehistoric times. Music from this era is called prehistoric music. Since at that time musical instruments were still not invented, music then was the sounds created from the natural actions made by the people such as humming and whistling. As time passed, different cultural traditions gradually developed a different forms of music, and from these different forms comes different benefits.

            Music can benefit a person physically. Exercises such as dancing and yoga use music to help people keep up with the beat. When a fast-paced and upbeat music is played, the body automatically matches the rhythm of the music. Physically drained people may be able to rejuvenate through happy or upbeat music. When slow and mellow music is played, a fatigued person relaxes and sleeps more soundly.

            Some studies show that music has positive effects on the body's immune system. Music helps in the production of Immunoglobulin A, the antibody that plays a major role in our immune system. It also helps decline the levels of cortisol or stress hormone in the body. As a result, listening to music can lower a person's stress level.

            Music can also benefit a person mentally. If you observe carefully, most commercials, if not all, have music. Why would people use music in commercials? Music actually helps people remember things easier. It triggers their memory, making them remember where they have heard that music. When a person is asked about the commercial, more often than not, they remember the tune of the music that was used. In this example, it is shown how music somehow helps in retaining the memory of a person.

            In addition, music can be used in therapies for people who have problems in their mental health such as Dementia, a health condition in which there is a gradual deterioration of mental ability and capacity of the person. This condition usually affects people in their latter years. It is something that cannot be stopped completely. However, according to Nancy Darling, studies show that when people with Dementia are exposed to music, the process of the deterioration is slowed down. When they listen to music that they know from their youth, their memories will surface and they become more active than without the music.

            Another way people can use  music is to listen soft and relaxing music to aid their meditation. It helps them  relax and concentrate, making it easier for them to be able to achieve their "inner peace". Furthermore, according to Satrio, researchers found out instrumental music helps people concentrate. Thus, it helps them do their jobs better.

            Lastly, music can benefit a person emotionally. Music can serve an outlet for our emotions. Most songwriters transmit what they are feeling at the moment when they were writing the lyrics to their song. Excellent singers and dancers are usually the people who are able to make their audience feel the emotion of the song. Even the listeners, whether they mean to or not, get into the emotion of the music being played. This helps people cope with their emotional problems. These problems that keep on piling up inside without having an outlet, may cause the person to have an emotional breakdown. It will take a long time before the person gets to recover. Why wait for it to become this worse when you can prevent it from happening by using music as a means to let all these problems out. Another fact is that, music is a much more effective instrument in expressing thoughts and emotions than that of psychotherapy. Having an outlet for our emotions could help us to deal with problems in a positive way.

            Truly, music has given us a lot of benefits. It helps us become physically fit through its use in dancing. We can relax ourselves with slow and mellow music. In addition, it aids us in our immune system and lowers our stress level. Music helps us remember things more easily. It could help us concentrate. Furthermore, it can serve as a catalyst for emotions, helps us express our thoughts and emotions, helping us to view life in a more optimistic way. Given these facts, I believe that music plays an essential and important part of our lives.

References

Bhagwan. (2012, June 3). History of Music [Web log post]. Retrieved from             http://bnbmusiclessons.com/blog/history-of-music/

Darling, N. (2013, May 5). Music and Dementia [Web log post]. Retrieved from             http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/thinking-about-kids/201305/music-and-dementia

Matthews, V. (2010, February 20). Music Therapy Benefits and Mental Health [Web log post].   Retrieved from http://www.1888articles.com/music-therapy-benefits-and-mental-    health- 0103364.html

Mincin, J. (2011, January 9). Music therapy can impact emotional trauma, mental and        physical disabilities [Web log post]. Retrieved from        http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/545940/Music-therapy-can-impact-            emotional--trauma--mental-and-physical-disabilities.html?nav=726

Psychology Department, McGill University. (2013, April 12). Listening to music benefits mental and physical health [Web log post]. Retrieved from          http://www.tricitypsychology.com/listening-to-music-benefits-mental-and-physical-          health/

Satrio. (2013, June 27). Benefits of Music To Physical & Mental Health [Web log post].    Retrieved from http://cybercornertalk.com/2013/06/benefits-of-music-to-physical-   mental-health/

Seer, E. (2013, February 14). Music and (Physical, Spiritual, Mental, Emotional) Health    [Web   log post]. Retrieved from http://elizabethseer.com/2013/02/music-and-health/