In today’s fast-paced digital world, communication has taken on new forms and challenges. In the article by Melanie Gagich’s “An Introduction to and Strategies for Multimodal Composing” and Travis Bradberry’s article, “Multitasking Damages Your Brain And Career, New Studies Suggest,” offer contrasting but equally important perspectives on how we navigate this evolving landscape.
Gagich introduces us to multimodal composing which utilizes text, images, and sound to tell stories. It can be best compared to mixing Lego pieces to build an item different than what is intended. She argues that by using different modes, we can reach more people because everyone learns and understands things differently. Gagich gives us tips and tricks for doing this effectively, which is super helpful, especially for those of us who want to spice up our presentations or essays.
On the other hand, Bradberry’s article sounds a bit like a warning bell. He tells us that multitasking isn’t as great as it seems and likely will not lead to the best possible outcome. It’s like trying to juggle too many balls at once; eventually, one is bound to drop. Bradberry explains that multitasking can instead hurt our brains and make us less productive in the long run. It is a terrifying thought that may soon become the reality for many, especially when we are constantly glued to our phones or laptops, jumping from one thing to another without really focusing on any of them.
It seems like we need to find a balance. We should take Gagich’s advice and begin to get creative with how we communicate, mixing and matching different modes to tell our stories. But at the same time, we should also listen to Bradberry and not get too carried away with multitasking. If we can strike to find that healthy balance with our devices, we will find our way through this digital jungle with a little more ease.
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