My email is making me stupid

Jojo just told me that she heard about some study (while she was half-asleep--I thought I was the only one who half-listens to NPR and then half-retells, inaccurately, the stories) that says checking your email obsessively temporarily lowers your IQ.

Folks, I'm your proof right here. Come to think of it, this blog is probably making me stupider, too. I work in the technology field, at a computer much of the day. Much of my work is embedded in emails. Many of my tasks require downtime while applications scurry and spin their little 00101 wheels.

Let me break out my professional voice for a minute. The latest usability info says that the user notices and is distracted by a response/run time of more than 5 seconds (I think it's 5--again, the half-reporting of inaccuracies). I get these little 5-second interruptions all day long (not to mention the phone, the drop-bys, etc). Seems like a good time to check the email.

Two hours later I realize I've been perpetually distracted and very little has been accomplished. Come to think of it, my entire job may be making me more stupid. Or maybe a little more focus and discipline would go a long way.