Explore how the digital tools meant to enhance productivity are failing to deliver real results. The discussion highlights a need for a shift towards attention-focused methods rather than just speeding up tasks. Insights into time management for potential hires and leadership also emerge. Delve into unique productivity habits, juxtaposing traditional and modern approaches. Plus, discover the surreal writing environment of a renowned screenwriter and the idea of a dedicated space for deep work!
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insights INSIGHT
Cybernetic Productivity Failure
Cybernetic productivity, focusing on tools to speed up shallow work, has failed.
It hasn't increased actual productivity or satisfaction.
insights INSIGHT
Infinite Buffer Effect
Knowledge work often involves an "infinite buffer" of tasks.
Speeding up shallow work only leads to more work filling the freed-up time.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Grandfather's Productivity
Cal Newport's grandfather, a successful professor, wrote 15 books without modern technology.
This highlights how deep work, not speed, drives valuable output.
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Published in 1948, 'Cybernetics' by Norbert Wiener is a seminal work that applied theories of information and communication to both biological systems and machines. It was the first conventionally published book to discuss electronic digital computing and introduced terms such as 'input', 'feedback', and 'output'. Wiener's work foreshadowed the development of intelligent and replicating machines, complex organizational organisms, and the physiology and failure of the human nervous system. The book represents an interdisciplinary approach to information systems, blending history, philosophy, mathematics, information and communication theory, computer science, and biology[1][3][5].
Power and progress
G. C. Thornley
Over the past twenty years, “productivity” has come to be synonymous with using digital tools to speed up non-essential parts of knowledge work. As cal argues in this episode, this “cybernetic” approach has proven to be a complete failure. He explores why speeding up isn’t working and what this teaches us about what we need to do instead.
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 Questions with Cal Newport 
