Cal Newport, a Georgetown professor and author of Slow Productivity, dives into the impacts of technology on our work lives. He discusses the concept of 'slow productivity,' emphasizing a balance in a fast-paced digital world. Newport reflects on social media's effects on mental health and advocates for smaller, community-focused networks. He draws insights from historical figures like Jane Austen to highlight quality over quantity in productivity, all while navigating the challenges of remote work and the evolving landscape of knowledge work.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Quit Twitter
Delete your Twitter account to improve your mental well-being and focus.
Reflect on how social media impacts your thoughts and behavior.
insights INSIGHT
Global Platforms
Global conversation platforms like Twitter necessitate aggressive content curation.
This curation fuels outrage and negativity, unlike smaller, interconnected communities.
insights INSIGHT
TikTok's Disruption
TikTok's algorithm-driven model disrupts established social media platforms.
Independent media like podcasts and newsletters gain popularity, relying on trusted recommendations.
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In this book, Cal Newport draws on the habits and mindsets of historical figures like Galileo, Isaac Newton, Jane Austen, and Georgia O’Keefe to propose a new approach to productivity. He argues against the modern culture of 'pseudo-productivity,' where busyness is mistaken for actual productivity. Instead, Newport advocates for 'slow productivity,' which involves doing fewer things, working at a natural pace, and obsessing over quality. The book combines cultural criticism with practical advice to help readers transform their work habits and achieve more sustainable and meaningful accomplishments.
Sam Harris speaks with Cal Newport about our use of information technology and the cult of productivity. They discuss the state of social media, the "academic-in-exile effect," free speech and moderation, the effect of the pandemic on knowledge work, slow productivity, the example of Jane Austen, managing up in an organization, defragmenting one's work life, doing fewer things, reasonable deadlines, trading money for time, finding meaning in a post-scarcity world, the anti-work movement, the effects of artificial intelligence on knowledge work, and other topics.
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Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life’s most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.