Deep Questions with Cal Newport Ep. 134: LISTENER CALLS: Returning to Deep Work After the Pandemic
Sep 30, 2021
Scott Young, a seasoned collaborator with Cal Newport on skill mastery and career development, joins to address pressing listener questions. They dive into strategies for returning to deep work post-pandemic, emphasizing the importance of gradual reentry and task organization. The conversation also touches on integrating personal values into daily routines, alongside intriguing insights from Virginia Woolf about the need for solitude in boosting creativity. Plus, they explore the negative impact of smartphone use on reading ability.
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Doctor's Perspective on Smartphones
- Cal Newport reacted to leaked Facebook slides showing Instagram's harmful effects on teenage girls, especially regarding mental health.
- A pediatric ER doctor confirmed this, citing cases of depression and suicidal thoughts due to smartphone use.
Prioritize Direct Harm Reports
- Prioritize direct self-reports of harm over abstract data analysis when addressing issues like social media's impact.
- Focus on helping those experiencing harm rather than theoretical debates.
Returning to Deep Work
- Gradually re-introduce deep work into your routine after a disruption like the pandemic.
- Make a radical change like a dedicated workspace to signal a recommitment to deep work.
