Some scientists are concerned that the need for speed is shrinking our attention spans, prompting our search for superficial answers and settling us into a rhythm of constant interruption in which deadlines are relentless and tasks are never quite finished.

Scientists call this phenomenon “cognitive overload,” and say it encompasses the modern-day angst of stress, multitasking, distraction and data flurries.

According to David Meyer, a Michigan psychologist and cognitive scientist, we can’t do multitasking well. And neuroscientist Jordan Grafman of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke believes it will cause further decline in our health and performance if we keep it up.