Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Ep. 298: Rethinking Attention


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We think of information as something neutral; a spotlight that helps illuminate the reality of the outside world. Accordingly, more information is better than less. In this episode, Cal pushes back on this model, arguing that the form in which information arrives can strongly impact the understanding we extract. We must therefore be more intentional about what and how we pay attention. He then answers reader questions and surveys some unusual but entertaining stories about slowness.

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

Video from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmedia

Deep Dive: Rethinking attention [4:08]

- What books should I read to help me develop a deep life? [34:35]
- Does writing by hand have benefits for your brain? [38:40]
- Should I get a brain scan to prove I have a low IQ? [43:46]
- Should I use ChatGPT for book recommendations? [47:39]
- How can I avoid wasting your gap year? [49:40]
- CALL: Is “Slow Productivity” related to “The Burnout Society” by Buying-Chui Han? [55:32]

CASE STUDY: Utilizing the phone foyer method [1:01:58]  

FINAL SEGMENT: Slow news [1:10:58]

Links:

  • Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow 
  • Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/  
  • Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?v=448bf8afad0740d18f6b109b4bd40d51 
  • slow-watches.com/
  • penguinrandomhouse.com/books/318747/help-wanted-one-rooster-by-julie-falatko-illustrated-by-andrea-stegmaier/
  • rte.ie/brainstorm/2023/1108/1415296-why-handwriting-is-good-for-your-brain/ 


Thanks to our Sponsors: 


  • mintmobile.com/deep
  • mauinuivenison.com/deepquestions
  • notion.com/cal
  • listening.com/deep


Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.


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