Ep. 355: Quit Social Media (For Real This Time)

Ep. 355: Quit Social Media (For Real This Time)

A common complaint about social media skepticism is that we’re falling into a classic moral panic. We’ve been concerned about many past mass media technologies, and ultimately came to realize that they’re not so bad. So why would we expect anything different about social media? In this episode, Cal tackles this complaint, drawing on an unexpected analogy to find clarity. He then answers listener questions and discusses the books he read in May, but not before first confronting a truly bizarre (or, perhaps, brilliant) piece of art work created by a fan of the show.

Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com!

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: Quit Social Media [6:18]

- How can I become a better, more analytical thinker? [23:04]
- How can I stay motivated, productive, and balanced while working mostly alone during my first remote internship? [28:56]
- How much time should I dedicate to developing secondary skills? [30:10]
- How does TikTok seem to know so much about me? [32:09]
- What are the best workflow strategies when using AI agents? [43:45]

CASE STUDY: A simple, analog approach to productivity [49:31]

CALL: Too focused on metrics [53:15]

MAY BOOKS: The 5 Books Cal Read in May 2025 [1:03:19]

May Books:

  • Building: A Carpenter’s Notes on Life & the Art of Good Work (Mark Ellison)
  • Thoreau’s Axe (Caleb Smith)
  • 9 Innings (Daniel Okrent)
  • Let Them (Mel Robbins)
  • Against the Machine (Paul Kingsnorth)

Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
amazon.com/Four-Days-Week-Life-Changing-Well-Being/dp/0063382431/r
calnewport.com/on-ultra-processed-content/
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cal-newport-5-28-19/id814550071?i=1000647135862
rehearsal.so/blog/how_to_stay_in_flow_while_using_cursor_or_windsurf

Thanks to our Sponsors:

cozyearth.com/deep
shopify.com/deep
harrys.com/deep
calderalab.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jaksot(399)

Ep. 15: Deep Work in Groups, Social Media in Politics, and Confronting Common Arguments Against My Work | DEEP QUESTIONS

Ep. 15: Deep Work in Groups, Social Media in Politics, and Confronting Common Arguments Against My Work | DEEP QUESTIONS

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions on deep work in groups, the double-edge sword of deploying social media in politics, and a discussion of the most common objection about my ...

3 Elo 20201h 26min

Ep. 14: Habit Tune-Up: Publishing Strategies, Surviving Side Hustles, Productivity for Support Roles, and Cultivating Balance in the Pursuit of Depth

Ep. 14: Habit Tune-Up: Publishing Strategies, Surviving Side Hustles, Productivity for Support Roles, and Cultivating Balance in the Pursuit of Depth

In this mini-episode, I take "calls" from listeners asking for advice about how best to tune-up their productivity and work habits in a moment of increased distraction and disruption.You can submit yo...

29 Heinä 202034min

Ep. 13: Where I Work, Convincing Students to Disconnect, and Applying Deep Work to Deep Social Problems | DEEP QUESTIONS

Ep. 13: Where I Work, Convincing Students to Disconnect, and Applying Deep Work to Deep Social Problems | DEEP QUESTIONS

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions on where I work (hint: an absurd number of different places), convincing students to disconnect, and applying deep work to deep social probl...

27 Heinä 20201h 5min

Ep. 12: Habit Tune-Up: Office Hours, Rabbit Holes, Perfectionism, Phones as Escape, and Making Deep Work Deeper

Ep. 12: Habit Tune-Up: Office Hours, Rabbit Holes, Perfectionism, Phones as Escape, and Making Deep Work Deeper

In this mini-episode, I take "calls" from listeners asking for advice about how best to tune-up their productivity and work habits in a moment of increased distraction and disruption.Here are the topi...

23 Heinä 202031min

Ep. 11: Work Resistance, Techno-Criticism, Tales from MIT, and the Depth-Destroying Power of Children | DEEP QUESTIONS

Ep. 11: Work Resistance, Techno-Criticism, Tales from MIT, and the Depth-Destroying Power of Children | DEEP QUESTIONS

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions on work resistance, the state of techno-criticism, tales from the MIT theory group, and the depth-destroying power of children. I also play ...

20 Heinä 20201h 30min

Ep. 10: Battling Email, Online Learning, and a Game Plan for Escaping a Shallow Life | DEEP QUESTIONS

Ep. 10: Battling Email, Online Learning, and a Game Plan for Escaping a Shallow Life | DEEP QUESTIONS

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions on battling email, online learning, and a game plan for escaping a shallow life. I also play some question roulette and answer the audio que...

13 Heinä 20201h 2min

Ep. 9: Habit Tune-Up: Dumbing Down Smartphones, Deep Habits, Progress on Non-Urgent Projects and Training Focus

Ep. 9: Habit Tune-Up: Dumbing Down Smartphones, Deep Habits, Progress on Non-Urgent Projects and Training Focus

In this mini-episode, I take "calls" from listeners asking for advice about how best to tune-up their productivity and work habits in a moment of increased distraction and disruption.Here are the topi...

9 Heinä 202027min

Ep. 8: Fleeing a Collapsing Career, Taking Notes on Books, Building a Deep Life | DEEP QUESTIONS

Ep. 8: Fleeing a Collapsing Career, Taking Notes on Books, Building a Deep Life | DEEP QUESTIONS

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions on fleeing a collapsing career, taking notes on books, and building a deep life. I also play some question roulette and answer the audio que...

6 Heinä 20201h 13min

Suosittua kategoriassa Koulutus

rss-murhan-anatomia
psykopodiaa-podcast
voi-hyvin-meditaatiot-2
rss-valo-minussa-2
adhd-podi
psykologia
rss-narsisti
salainen-paivakirja
rss-liian-kuuma-peruna
rss-duodecim-lehti
rahapuhetta
aloita-meditaatio
rss-vapaudu-voimaasi
rss-niinku-asia-on
kesken
rss-luonnollinen-synnytys-podcast
aamukahvilla
rss-uskonto-on-tylsaa
rss-selvat-savelet
rss-koira-haudattuna