multi-tasking and ambidexterity !

Human multitasking is the apparent performance by an individual of handling more than one task at the same time. An example of multitasking is  students doing homework or mathematics while watching a Cricket match on TV; women cutting vegetables while talking on mobile phone and watching a TV serial as well.   Though primarily intended to save time, at times, it could cause more errors due to insufficient attention. 

In Computing,  multitasking is a method where multiple tasks (processes) are performed during the same period of time – they are executed concurrently (in overlapping time periods, new tasks starting before others have ended) instead of sequentially (one completing before the next starts). The tasks share common processing resources, such as central processing units (CPUs) and main memory.  Though in a mobile phone, several applications could be running – one would not be in a position to hear a speech or a song – as one creates a new mail or a SMS !  that way, multitasking does not imply parallel execution, but still  more than one task can be part-way through execution at the same time.

Amphibious means able to use either land or water.  Ambivalence is a state of having simultaneous conflicting reactions, beliefs, or feelings towards some object. Stated otherwise – it is  "mixed feelings" of a more general sort are experienced, or where a person experiences uncertainty or indecisiveness.

Ambidexterity is the state of being equally adept in the use of both left and right hands.   It is one of the most famous varieties of cross-dominance. The degree of versatility with each hand is generally the qualitative factor in determining a person's ambidexterity. In modern times, it is more common to find people considered ambidextrous who were originally left handed and who learned to be ambidextrous, either deliberately or during childhood.

Sachin Tendulkar bats right, bowls right but uses his left hand for writing; Sourav Ganguly was left handed batsman, bowled right and uses right hand for writing. Since many everyday devices (such as can openers and scissors) are asymmetrical and designed for right-handed people, many left-handlers learn to use them right-handedly due to the rarity or lack of left-handed models. The word "ambidextrous" is derived from the Latin roots ambi-, meaning "both", and dexter, meaning "right" or "favorable". Thus, "ambidextrous" is literally "both right" or "both favorable". Many months back, MailOnline had an ‘inkredible’ report on a Chinese woman who could write with both hands at the same time ~ that too in different languages. 

In this age of computers and smartphones, some of us are finding it harder and harder to write properly with one hand, let alone two. But that is no such problem for Chinese translator Chen Siyuan. She has been amazing onlookers with her ability not only to write with both hands at the same time, but do it in different languages - Chinese with one and English with the other. ~ and for good measure the 24-year-old can also perform the trick with each hand writing in different directions. Chen, whose name means 'think further', didn't develop her skill through hours of practice. Instead she discovered it by chance while trying to save time on large amounts of English homework at her high school in northern China.

 She told People's Daily Online: 'When I was in high school, I unconsciously wrote with both hands while trying to finish my homework in a hurry. 'My classmates were curious and tried to imitate me, but none of them succeeded.' Chen, who later obtained a college degree in English, now uses her talent to write poetry, two sentences at a time, of course.

A web search reveals that such ambidextrous persons are  twice as likely to be hyperactive as their classmates, researchers found.They are also twice as likely to suffer from language problems, such as dyslexia. Scientists believe that differences in how the children’s brains work compared to others could link the problems, but admit they do not yet understand how. An estimated 600,000 people on Britain are thought to be ambidextrous, or mixed-handed, as it is also known. The team behind the research say that teachers and doctors should try to identify those children who may be at risk of suffering educational or health problems.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar