A recent article in the New York Times, entitled, " Hooked on Gadgets, and Paying a Mental Price," talks about the stress of multitasking and how it causes us to lose focus. This is but the latest in a series of articles alarming readers to how distracted we have become and how multitasking doesn't really work for most people. While I agree with the basic premise, I also hear the drumbeat of a new (or not so new) trend hearkening, accompanied by a bevy of self-help books, self-crowned experts, and a never-ending series of talk shows and magazine articles. Central to this trend are the following points:

• The plethora of digital devices vying for our attention is driving us crazy.

• Ringing cell phones, pop-up alerts, and the constant barrage of tweets, instant messages, and Facebook updates is making it hard to concentrate

• The expectation to be "always on" is unhealthy and it ruins our ability to think creatively

I agree with all of these points. It seems to make sense and anyone who has all these devices can testify to the stress that accompanies the continuous stimulus.

On the other hand, ask yourself the following questions. In which situations are you more apt to check email and send text messages?

• At the ball park or at a family wedding?

• In the middle of a neighborhood basketball game or in the checkout line at the supermarket?

• While reading a book on the train to work or at your child's class play?

• While you are playing video games or while waiting at a traffic light?