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.


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Episoder(399)

Ep. 367: What if AI Doesn’t Get Much Better Than This?

Ep. 367: What if AI Doesn’t Get Much Better Than This?

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Ep. 366: How to Reinvent Your Life in 4 Months (Classic Episode from August, 2023)

Ep. 366: How to Reinvent Your Life in 4 Months (Classic Episode from August, 2023)

In this replay of one of the more popular episodes from the Deep Questions archives, originally aired in August ,2023, Cal explores some of his early strategies for cultivating a deeper life.Below are...

18 Aug 20251h 17min

Ep. 365: What Technology Wants (and How to Push Back)

Ep. 365: What Technology Wants (and How to Push Back)

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11 Aug 20251h 2min

Ep. 364: Metrics 101

Ep. 364: Metrics 101

When Cal recently returned home from his time spent up in New England he set up a whole new set of daily metrics to track in the fall to keep him pointed toward the deep life. And they failed. Hard. I...

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Ep. 363: Escaping the Digital Doldrums

Ep. 363: Escaping the Digital Doldrums

What does Walt Disney’s malaise in the 1940s have to do with our current struggles with our screens? In this episode, Cal uses a little-known story from Disney’s midlife to identify an effective strat...

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Ep. 362: The Texting Dilemma

Ep. 362: The Texting Dilemma

When we think about unhealthy phone usage, we think about the flashing apps, like TikTok and Instagram, in which billions of dollars have been spent to grab our attention. In this episode, Cal points ...

21 Jul 20251h 10min

Ep. 361: Do You Need an App Blocker?

Ep. 361: Do You Need an App Blocker?

Are you worried that you’re using your phone too much? An app blocker might make sense. But how do they work, and which one is right for you? In this episode, Cal goes deep into the motivation, techno...

14 Jul 202559min

Ep. 360: One-Page Productivity

Ep. 360: One-Page Productivity

Trying to stick to complicated time management systems without any breaks can eventually lead to burn out. But if you stop organizational efforts altogether, your life can become a stressful mess. In ...

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