Ep. 357: What Worries the Internet’s Favorite Philosopher?
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Jun 16, 2025
The podcast dives into the influence of philosopher Byung-Chul Han on the digital communication landscape, discussing the implications of anonymity and online outrage. It explores balancing creativity and productivity while traveling, emphasizing quality over quantity in creative work. A critical look at AI's reasoning limits contrasts optimistic views with cautious skepticism about its real-world abilities. Listeners also gain insights on writing routines, mental health resources, and maintaining focus amidst distractions.
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insights INSIGHT
Digital Communication Erodes Respect
Digital communication erodes mental distance and respect due to constant exposure and anonymity.
Respect requires maintaining some distance and knowing identities to foster admiration and civility.
insights INSIGHT
Digital Outrage Lacks Power
Online outrage lacks the cohesive spirit and resolve necessary to form powerful crowds.
Digital swarms are fluid and fleeting, so they do not generate lasting political energy.
insights INSIGHT
Digital Age Enslaves Leisure
Digital devices transform all time and space into working hours, causing new constraints and digital slavery.
This neoliberal imperative to always perform damages leisure and even rest.
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In 'Unplug', Richard Simon provides a straightforward plan to detox from phone addiction, including strategies for managing withdrawal symptoms, finding new sources of dopamine, and reintegrating phones into life in a healthier way. The book includes success stories from various individuals and expert insights on digital wellness.
The Crisis of Narration
The Crisis of Narration
Byung-Chul Han
In the Swarm
Digital Prospects
Byung-Chul Han
Byung-Chul Han's "In the Swarm" delves into the complexities of digital society, exploring how technology shapes our interactions and perceptions. He critiques the pervasive nature of digital networks, arguing that they foster a sense of superficial connection and hinder genuine communication. The book examines the impact of social media on individual autonomy and the erosion of traditional social structures. Han's analysis offers a critical perspective on the psychological and societal consequences of our increasingly interconnected world. Ultimately, he calls for a more mindful approach to technology and a renewed emphasis on individual agency.
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.
Deep Work
Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
Cal Newport
In 'Deep Work', Cal Newport argues that the ability to perform deep work—professional activities in a state of distraction-free concentration—is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy. The book is divided into two parts: the first part explains why deep work is valuable, rare, and meaningful, while the second part presents four rules to transform your mind and habits to support this skill. These rules include 'Work Deeply', 'Embrace Boredom', 'Quit Social Media', and 'Drain the Shallows'. Newport provides actionable advice and examples from various successful individuals to help readers master the skill of deep work and achieve groundbreaking results.
The Burnout Society
Byung-Chul Han
Byung-Chul Han interprets the widespread malaise in modern society as an inability to manage negative experiences in an age characterized by excessive positivity and the universal availability of people and goods. He argues that the shift from a disciplinary society to an achievement society, where individuals are driven by self-monitoring and the desire to achieve, leads to auto-exploitation and burnout. Han draws on literature, philosophy, and the social and natural sciences to explore the consequences of sacrificing intermittent intellectual reflection for constant neural connection and the impact of hyperattention and multitasking on mental health and culture.
The Agony of Eros
Byung-Chul Han
Few philosophers in recent memory have enjoyed as much attention as Byung-Chul Han. His mix of profundity and pithiness in tackling some of the big issues of the modern technical environment has made him “the internet’s new favorite philosopher” (to quote The New Yorker). But is he saying that is making such an impact? In this episode, Cal seeks to find out. He reports back on five of the biggest ideas he encountered reading Han’s 2017 book, IN THE SWARM. He then answers listener questions and concludes with a WHAT TO READ segment where he tackles a pair of competing articles on AI’s abilities.
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
Deep Dive: What Worries the Internet’s Favorite Philosopher? [3:50]
- What’s Cal’s writing schedule when traveling? [29:26] - How do I adapt to new job duties after making partner? [31:44] - Should I do memory training? [33:22] - Can you explain how creativity and productivity are related? [36:16] - How do Cal’s responsibilities fit into his lifestyle-centric plan? [39:33]
CASE STUDY: A retiree adopts Cal’s principles [43:07]
CALL: Adventure work [46:13]
WHAT TO READ: Two Dueling Takes on AI’s Abilities [54:35]
Deep Questions with Cal Newport 
