Deep Questions with Cal Newport Ep. 378: The Lost Art of Long Thinking
The discussion dives into the concept of long thinking, a vital skill for producing deep insights that's diminishing in our digital age. Cal outlines the negative impact of technology on our ability to think deeply and creatively. He introduces a practical notebook method to regain this skill, emphasizing scenic locations and minimal distractions. The episode also explores how to enhance reading habits and offers strategies for restarting creative writing without digital devices. Plus, Cal reviews five thought-provoking books from October.
01:28:53
Long Thinking Defined
- Long thinking is persistent, intentional thought aimed at creating substantial new insights.
- It recombines ideas, extracts principles, and builds novel mental structures over time.
Berkeley 'Beast' Breakthrough
- In 2012 Cal went to Berkeley without a computer, wandered to a eucalyptus grove, and solved part of a theory problem.
- He bought a stenographer's notebook, formalized the idea on paper, and later used it in a published draft.
Long Thinking vs Deep Work
- Long thinking is distinct from deep work: it focuses on creating new ideas while deep work also includes deliberate practice.
- The intersection exists, but long thinking applies beyond professional tasks to personal understanding and visioning.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Defining Long Thinking
01:56 • 41sec
Ad break
02:37 • 3min
Giovanni Corazza's Long Thinking Concept
05:47 • 2min
Long Thinking vs. Deep Work
07:54 • 4min
Why Long Thinking Matters
11:53 • 6min
How Technology Undermines Long Thinking
18:00 • 8min
Ad break
26:12 • 5min
The Notebook Method as Training
30:49 • 4min
Why the Notebook Method Works
34:37 • 2min
How Often to Practice Long Thinking
36:31 • 4min
Organizing Notebooks and Tools
40:56 • 5min
How to Get Better at Reading
45:54 • 2min
Restarting Creative Writing Without a Computer
48:00 • 9min
Getting Value from Rapid Reading
56:58 • 2min
Single-Purpose Notebooks and Reflection Walks
59:09 • 2min
Case Study: Building a Deep Life
01:01:17 • 8min
How to Do Adventure Work on a Long Hike
01:09:05 • 3min
October Reading: Five Books Reviewed
01:12:03 • 15min
Outro
01:27:13 • 59sec
#26727
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Future of Tutoring
Lessons from 10,000 School District Tutoring Initiatives
Liz Cohen
#54599
Lin-Manuel Miranda
The Education of an Artist
Daniel Pollack Pelsner
This authorized biography traces Lin-Manuel Miranda's path from a sensitive child of Puerto Rican immigrant parents in Manhattan to a global theatrical icon, winner of multiple Tonys, Grammys, a Pulitzer Prize, and a MacArthur Genius Grant.
Daniel Pollack-Pelzner reveals how Miranda synthesized his Latino heritage with hip-hop, pop, and Broadway styles to redefine musical theater.
Drawing on extensive interviews and full access to Miranda's inner circle, the book delves into the formative experiences, collaborations, and creative openness that shaped his groundbreaking works including Hamilton, In the Heights, and songs for Disney's Moana and Encanto.
#2747
• Mentioned in 13 episodes
The Society of the Spectacle
Guy Debord
Published in 1967, 'The Society of the Spectacle' is a seminal work of Marxist critical theory by Guy Debord.
The book critiques contemporary consumer culture and the effects of mass media, arguing that modern society has replaced authentic social life with its representation.
Debord introduces the concept of the 'spectacle', which he defines as the social relation among people that is mediated by images.
He contends that this spectacle is a result of the capitalist mode of production, where relations between commodities have supplanted relations between people, leading to alienation, commodity fetishism, and the degradation of human life.
The book consists of 221 theses and is considered a key text of the Situationist movement, offering insights that remain relevant in the age of social media and digital culture.
#13107
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
The Gifts of the Jews
Thomas Cahill
In 'The Gifts of the Jews', Thomas Cahill explores how the ancient Jews revolutionized the way people think and feel by introducing a linear concept of time and the idea of individual destiny.
This shift from a cyclical view of life to a narrative with a beginning and end profoundly impacted Western civilization, influencing beliefs in progress and personal responsibility.
#98
• Mentioned in 141 episodes
Slow Productivity
The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout
Cal Newport
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.
#563
• Mentioned in 42 episodes
Inspired
How To Create Products Customers Love
Marty Cagan
In 'Inspired,' Marty Cagan provides a detailed and practical guide to product management.
The book emphasizes the critical role of product managers in merging technology and design to address genuine customer needs while aligning with business objectives.
Cagan discusses key concepts such as the importance of product vision, continuous discovery and delivery, and the need for a user-centric approach.
He also highlights the differences between product management and other roles like product marketing, and stresses the importance of having a dedicated team for product development.
The book is structured to help both junior and seasoned product managers understand and implement best practices in product management, drawing from Cagan's extensive experience in the tech industry.
#31
• Mentioned in 238 episodes
So Good They Can't Ignore You
Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love
Cal Newport
In this book, Cal Newport challenges the conventional wisdom that following one's passion is the key to career happiness.
Instead, he argues that passion often follows mastery and that developing valuable skills and expertise is essential for creating work you love.
Newport presents four rules: Don't follow your passion, Be so good they can't ignore you, Turn down a promotion, and Think small, act big.
He supports his arguments with case studies from various professionals who have found satisfaction in their careers through hard work and skill development.
#40
• Mentioned in 211 episodes
Digital Minimalism
Cal Newport
In 'Digital Minimalism', Cal Newport argues that we need to be more intentional about the technologies we allow into our lives.
He proposes a philosophy of digital minimalism, where individuals focus their online time on activities that strongly support their values and ignore the rest.
The book highlights the negative effects of behavioral addictions created by technology, such as solitude deprivation and the fleeting nature of social media satisfaction.
Newport suggests a 30-day 'digital declutter' process and other practices to help readers integrate digital minimalism into their lives, emphasizing the importance of optimizing technology use to support personal goals and values.
We often talk on this show about how digital devices undermine our ability to consume more complicated and meaningful ideas. But what about our ability to produce such ideas from scratch? In this episode, Cal identifies a key productive skill – long thinking – that we’re increasingly losing. He argues that it’s critical for living a deep life and provides a simple strategy to help regain the skill. He then answers listener questions and discusses the books he read in October 2025.
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: The Lost Art of Long Thinking [0:02]
- How does Cal organize his notebooks for his books and New Yorker articles? [42:40]
- How can an 18 year old student get better at reading? [45:42]
- How can I restart my creative writing if I don’t want to use a computer? [47:56]
- Is it important to write reflections on the books I read? [56:57]
- How often should I take reflection walks with single purpose notebooks? [59:00]
CASE STUDY: Trying to live a Deep Life [1:00:47]
CALL: Adventure Work [1:09:00]
OCTOBER BOOKS: The 5 Books Cal Read in October 2025 [1:11:57]
The Gift of the Jews (Thomas Cahill)
Lin-Manuel Miranda (Daniel Pollack-Pelzner)
Inspired (Rachel Held Evans)
The Future of Tutoring (Liz Cohen)
Society of the Spectacle (Guy Debord)
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?
calnewport.com/solutions-beyond-the-screen-the-adventure-work-method-for-producing-creative-insights/
youtube.com/watch?v=bEusrD8g-dM
calnewport.com/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/
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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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