

Ep. 270: Depth vs. Distraction
Prioritize Humanity During Hard Times
- Don't prioritize deep work during hard times.
- Focus on human connection and community support.
Super Distractions Mask Psychic Pain
- Super distractions, like social media or alcohol, often mask deeper psychic pain.
- These distractions become coping mechanisms, not just diversions.
The Role of Psychic Pain
- Psychic pain, like anxiety or shame, drives us to seek relief.
- Super distractions offer temporary relief, creating a dependence.





















An increasing number of people are suffering from “super distractions” that rise above the level of harmless diversion and instead start to actively hold them back in their life. Some of the common culprits cited include social media, online pornography, and alcohol. In this episode, Cal takes a closer look at what creates super distractions and uses this insight to come up with an effective game plan for fighting back.
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: Taking control of your life from super distractions [8:09]
- How can I stay productive while in between goals? [36:24]
- Will I become depressed from a dopamine fast? [40:46]
- How can I overcome negative thoughts? [44:01]
- Are there rituals to help me handle shallow work more efficiently? [50:19]
CASE STUDY: Success with an electronic detox [58:27]
Cal Reacts: NPR left Twitter and the effects are negligible [1:06:59]
Links:
niemanreports.org/articles/npr-twitter-musk/
Thanks to our Sponsors:
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.