Limited resources Quote by Daniel Kahneman
““It is normally easy and actually quite pleasant to walk and think at the same time, but at the extremes these activities appear to compete for the limited resources of System 2. You can confirm this claim by a simple experiment. While walking comfortably with a friend, ask him to compute 23 × 78 in his head, and to do so immediately. He will almost certainly stop in his tracks.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Thinking, Fast and Slow, 2011
Walking and thinking both draw on conscious mental effort, so doing them together can overload limited cognitive resources.
In simple terms: Walking and thinking compete for mental effort.
Key Takeaway
Avoid multitasking demanding tasks while walking.
Themes
cognition
multitasking
attention
mental effort
resource limitation
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
psychological
educational
When to use this quote
- commuting
- exercise
- brainstorming
- problem solving
- teaching
Key Concepts
System 2
cognitive load
dual-task interference
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you identify tasks that feel easier while walking?
- How does environment affect mental performance?
A Different Perspective
Complex tasks may still be performed with practice or automation.
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