Round Table China The work focus disappearing act
Nov 28, 2025
Explore the evolving relationship with work and the crisis of deep focus. The hosts discuss how digital distractions and the push for productivity often leave us feeling busy yet unproductive. They tackle Cal Newport's definition of deep work and the challenges of multitasking in modern jobs. Learn signs you've lost your deep work ability and hear practical techniques like 25-minute sprints and prioritization to reclaim focus. Discover how deep conversations can help restore meaningful work in a distracted world.
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Productivity Tools Can Erode Deep Work
- Modern productivity tools can make people feel busier but less capable of deep, meaningful work.
- Losing sustained attention reshapes creativity, growth, and who we become.
Fewer Shows, More Responsibilities
- Lai Ming notices he's less productive on shows and hosts fewer programs than before.
- He cites more responsibilities and aging as reasons alongside technology distractions.
Deep Work Defined And Challenged
- Cal Newport defines deep work as distraction-free concentration that pushes cognitive limits.
- The hosts question how realistic sustained deep work is in modern multi-tasking jobs.
