The Cal Newport Show

The art of thinking – plain, old-fashioned, hard concentration on useful ideas – is rapidly vanishing as our culture recasts humans as the custodians and recipients of digital computation. In this episode, Cal explains why this is a problem and what we should do in response. 

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 

Today’s Deep Question: Why is it important to preserve the vanishing art of thinking? [5:02] 

- How do I integrate movies and shows into the deep life? [27:42] 

- Can I read after a long day of deep work? [33:30] 

- Is a digital “second brain” a good idea to keep up with the latest advancements in your field? [36:25] 

- Would Cal consider consolidating his notebooks? [42:37] 

- Is Maria Popva’s note-taking method better than Cal’s method? [51:40] 

The Books I Read in April 2023 [1:04:29] 

Links: 

Edward Teller talking about John Von Neumann 

youtube.com/watcv=vQp70uqsBV4#t=55m0s

Aristotle on “philosophic wisdom.” See book 10, section 7 of The Ethics: 

classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.7.vii.html 

Arnold Bennet on training concentration (See chapter 7 of How to Live on 24 Hours a Day): 

gutenberg.org/cache/epub/2274/pg2274-images.html 

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

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mybodytutor.com 

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

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Do you live to work or work to live? In this episode, Cal talks with author Simone Stolfzoff about his provocative new book, THE GOOD ENOUGH JOB. Cal then answers listener questions about escaping professional unhappiness, and then switches gears in the Something Interesting segment to talk about the critical technological breakthrough that not enough people yet are talking about. 

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: Cal talks about the Good Enough Job with author Simone Stolzoff [4:39] 

- What kind of a job do I want? [59:31] 

- If I enjoy my job, why can’t I focus? [1:05:28] 

- Should I give up on finding an academic job? [1:17:23] 

- Should I cut my salary in half to escape the hyperactive hive mind? [1:25:07] 

SOMETHING INTERESTING: Apple’s most interesting new tech strategy has nothing to do with A.I. [1:34:41] 

Links: 

wsj.com/articles/apple-is-breaking-its-own-rules-with-a-new-headset-80c9b36c 

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at 

betterhelp.com/deepquestions 

ladderlife.com/deep 

expressvpn.com/deep 

80000hours.org/deep 

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

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Few professional experiences feel worse than overload. But what really causes this unfortunate state? In this episode, Cal takes a closer look at overload, identifying its main culprits, identifying solutions, and helping listeners with their specific overload-related questions. 

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 

Today’s Deep Question: How does overload actually operate? [3:54] 

- Does Cal use an executive assistant? [26:15] 

- How do I write an effective communication policy for my team? [36:35] 

- Does overhead compound exponentially? [42:50] 

- How rare are high expectation/low overhead jobs? [48:05] 

- My job has few shallow obligations. What should I do with my free time? [51:41] 

Something Interesting: The future of social media is less social [59:39] 

Links: 

wsj.com/articles/workers-say-its-harder-to-get-things-done-now-heres-why-2a5f1389 

nytimes.com/2023/04/19/technology/personaltech/tiktok-twitter-facebook-social.html 

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

huel.com/questions 

blinkist.com/deep 

rhone.com/cal 

zocdoc.com/deep 

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We talk a lot on this show about how to be more organized and intentional in how you spend your time at work. But what about at home? In this episode, Cal is joined by Sarah Hart-Unger (https://theshubox.com/), a leading thinker on the challenges of staying organized amidst the chaotic busyness that defines family life, to help explore strategies for organizing life outside of work. 

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 

Today’s Deep Question: How do I adapt professional productivity techniques to my life outside of work? (With Sarah Hart-Unger) [7:16] 

To learn more about Sarah, read her blog, or subscribe to her podcasts, visit: https://theshubox.com/

— What system does Cal use to track his life admin? [1:05:55] 

— Don’t I need some sort of plan for time outside of work? [1:11:46] 

— How do I stay on top of ongoing projects, initiatives, or hobbies? [1:15:36] 

— Should I calculate the monetary cost of household tasks? [1:20:20] 

Something Interesting: The AI Null Hypothesis [1:33:24] 

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

huel.com/questions 

expressvpn.com/deep 

hensonshaving.com/cal 

fieldofgreens.com (promo code: Deep) 

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

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Are smartphones bad for kids? Cal walks through the data on this question, including how researchers came to be worried, their findings, critiques of their findings, and where we are today. He then gives recommendations for how to think about technology when it comes to your kids.

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

Today’s Deep Question: Are smartphones bad for kids? [3:10]

- Is the deep life dull? [49:35]

- How do I stop doom-scrolling when I’m tired? [53:49]

- Are smartphones bad for older people? [57:35]

- How does Cal decide to adopt new technology or software? [1:02:06]

- How do I stay deep while traveling at conferences? [1:06:33]

The Books Cal read in March 2023 [1:12:38]

Thanks to our Sponsors:

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

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In this episode Cal – against his better judgment – answers questions on the fly, with no advance plan or preparation. He also does a Deep Dive about the  Twitter fog dissipating and discusses something interesting.

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: What was Twitter anyway? [4:46]

- Is there a difference between passion and calling? [27:09]
- What are the four principles to reimagine knowledge work? [31:50]
- Is movie watching part of the Deep Life? [36:05]
- Does fixed schedule productivity work on a weekly scale? [38:54]
- How does effective altruism fit in value-based lifestyle career planning? [41:01]
- What are Cal’s thoughts on David Graber’s book, “Bull Shit Jobs”? [44:00]
- Do distracted adolescents risk losing the ability to focus as they grow older? [46:57]
- Does slow productivity assist with parenting and professional development? [48:29]

Something Interesting: Rob Drydek’s productivity system [1:00:37]   

Links:

nytimes.com/2023/04/18/magazine/twitter-dying.html

Thanks to our Sponsors:

fieldofgreens.com Promo Code: Deep
hensonshaving.com/cal
rhone.com/cal
huel.com/questions

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

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Are new AI technologies like ChatGPT about to massively disrupt our world? Drawing from his recent New Yorker article on the topic, Cal explains exactly how programs like ChatGPT work, and uses this knowledge to explain why we can calm our fears about this new technology.

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

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

Today’s Deep Question: How does ChatGPT work? (And should we worry about it?)  [11:24]

- Is there anything AI won’t do better than humans? [57:30]

- How will AI end up disrupting knowledge work? [1:02:27]

- Should I quit web development before AI eliminates the industry? [1:07:32] 

- Will AI create mass job loss in the next five years? [1:11:52]

SOMETHING INTERESTING:

- NPR leaves Twitter [1:21:11]

npr.org/2023/04/12/1169269161/npr-leaves-twitter-government-funded-media-label  

Links:

newyorker.com/science/annals-of-artificial-intelligence/what-kind-of-mind-does-chatgpt-have

twitter.com/tqbf/status/1598513757805858820

twitter.com/goodside/status/1598077257498923010 

nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/chatgpt-passes-mba-exam-wharton-professor-rcna67036

time.com/6240569/ai-childrens-book-alice-and-sparkle-artists-unhappy/

nytimes.com/2023/02/16/technology/bing-chatbot-microsoft-chatgpt.html 

nytimes.com/2023/03/24/opinion/yuval-harari-ai-chatgpt.html

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions

zocdoc.com/deep

ladderlife.com/deep

blinkist.com/deep 

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cal Newport answers 10 questions from his audience ranging from idea management to the Deep Life to writing. Throughout all the answers, you’ll hear Cal explain his core concepts and how they apply to everyday working life.

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

- Why doesn’t Cal care about idea management systems? [2:46]

- Does Cal still use Workflowy to capture tasks?  [12:52]

- Are women better at multi-tasking than men? [16:56]

- What is the difference between pursuing depth versus passion? [23:16]

- What are the  “Contemplation” and “Celebration” buckets in the context of the Deep Life? [28:56]

- What’s the best way to study math? [32:56]

- Can I jump from a master’s at a small school to a PhD at a prestigious one? [35:19]

- How do I know if I’ve successfully cultivated a Deep Life? [37:11]

- How do I become a successful political nonfiction writer? [44:38]

- Is the Deep Work hypothesis affected by survivorship bias? [50:36]

Links:

calnewport.com/blog/2011/06/23/lab-notes-my-closed-loop-research-system/

Thanks to our Sponsors:

fieldofgreens.com Promo Code: Deep

stamps.com/deep

policygenius.com

hensonshaving.com/cal 

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why do stories of people moving to the country to dedicate their lives to simple living resonate so strongly with us overworked knowledge workers? Cal explores lessons we can extract from these instincts that can improve our lives right now, even without the need to become a homesteader.

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

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

Today’s Deep Question: What do we (really) seek when we seek the Simple Life? [7:39]

- Are daly deep life habits too frequent? [32:35]

- How do I juggle more projects? [36:44]

- Can I quit my job to reach online full time? [41:53]

- How do I convince my husband that the “deep life” isn’t an excuse to ignore me? [55:36]

CASE STUDY: A Writing Shed For Slow Productivity [1:01:37]

SOMETHING INTERESTING:

- Utah limits teens’ ability to use social media [1:12:38]

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/utah-1st-state-limiting-teens-access-social-media-98089159

https://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/simple-living-zmaz03onzgoe/

Thanks to our Sponsors:

https://www.mybodytutor.com
https://www.expressvpn.com/deep
https://www.grammarly.com/tone
https://www.blinkist.com/deep 

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why does Twitter maintain such a strong grip on those who produce things with their minds for a living? Is it really so critical that we all spend so many hours spreading our output on this particular platform? In today’s episode, we explore this question, seeking new, more sustainable and humane ways to be an online creative professional.

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

Today’s Deep Question: Given all the advantages of controlling your own digital press, why do so many content producers rely on Twitter? [5:39]

- Does Twitter’s new view count feature make the service even worse? [27:10]
- Why do so many important business/thought leaders spend so much time on Twitter? [35:14]
- Does this professor need Twitter? [43:00]
- Does Mastadon stand a chance against Twitter? [53:26]

SOMETHING INTERESTING:

Started From the Bottom podcast [1:01:04]
pushkin.fm/podcasts/started-from-the-bottom

Australian senators backing 4-day work week [1:03:12]
theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/09/australia-four-day-work-week-labor-greens-senators-support


Thanks to our Sponsors:

hensonshaving.com/cal
zocdoc.com/deep
mintmobile.com/deep
cozyearth.com (Promo code: Deep)

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices