Ep. 82: Habit Tune-Up: The Joys and Sorrows of Binge Working

Out of My Skull combines scientific findings with everyday observations to explain boredom, an experience often ignored but from which we can learn. The authors argue that boredom isn't inherently bad; rather, we often fail to heed its guidance. By listening to boredom, we can become more engaged and live fuller lives.

In 'One Summer: America, 1927', Bill Bryson chronicles the significant events of the summer of 1927 in the United States. The book covers a range of topics including Charles Lindbergh's nonstop transatlantic flight, the Great Mississippi Flood, Babe Ruth's record-breaking baseball season, the transition from the Ford Model T to the Model A, the execution of Sacco and Vanzetti, and the advent of talking pictures with 'The Jazz Singer'. Bryson also explores the contrast between the Roaring Twenties and the looming Great Depression, providing a vivid and humorous narrative of daily life and popular culture during that pivotal summer.

In this book, Cal Newport shares insights and strategies gathered from interviews with high-achieving college students who maintain excellent grades without excessive studying. The book emphasizes the importance of effective time management, focused study sessions, and smart note-taking techniques. It introduces the 'Straight-A Method' which is based on four pillars: knowledge, control, strategy, and balance. Newport argues that by using these methods, students can avoid procrastination, optimize their study time, and achieve academic success while maintaining a balanced life.

In 'A World Without Email', Cal Newport argues that the constant digital communication, which he terms the 'hyperactive hive mind', has become a productivity disaster. He contends that this workflow, driven by email and other messaging tools, reduces profitability, slows economic growth, and makes workers miserable. Newport proposes a workplace where clear processes, not haphazard messaging, define task management. He advocates for each person working on fewer tasks but doing them better, with significant investment in support to reduce administrative burdens. The book lays out principles and concrete instructions for streamlining important communication and reducing the central role of inboxes and chat channels in the workplace.

David S. Reynolds's 'Abe: Abraham Lincoln in His Times' offers a comprehensive cultural biography that places Lincoln within the context of his time, examining how he navigated the complexities of slavery, racial equality, and national unity. The book delves into Lincoln's personal life, political career, and cultural influences, providing a nuanced understanding of his role in American history.