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

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

Why do we end up entangled with tools that don’t have our best interests in mind? How can we fix this situation? In this episode, Cal dives deep into the difference between additive and extractive technologies, telling a story that weaves old technology with old versions of modern tools, testimony from recent trials to ideas from leading technology critics – all in the service of improving your relationship with tools. He then answers listener questions and discusses the books he read in July, 2025. Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Deep Dive: What Technology Wants (and How to Push Back) [:54]- Do project trackers work? [34:54]- Is there a downside scenario to engineering wonder? [39:14]- What types of people should I surround myself with? [43:00]- Can you explain your different audiences? [45:02] CALL: Shifting from medical work to a PhD [50:41]JULY BOOKS: The 5 Books that Cal Read in July, 2025 [57:33] L.A. Story (Bill Plunkett)Disney’s Land (Richard Snow)Ingenious (Richard Munson)Original Sin (Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson)Wool (Hugh Howey) Links:Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slowGet a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?https://substack.com/@priscillaharvey1/note/c-133662492https://www.yahoo.com/news/zuckerberg-tells-court-facebook-no-171222971.htmlhttps://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/mark-zuckerberg-is-so-over-facebook-friends?srsltid=AfmBOoo4dysXG_2rXWDJaKnSdG6CfbCqf0O_8op_R1phpz5GQPx2F4XAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7jar4KgKxshttps://pluralistic.net/2022/11/28/enshittification/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ai-fC-2Bpohttps://www.emarketer.com/content/openai-hires-its-first-cmo-kate-rouch-foreshadowing-adshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfUpEWAKPf8&t=2350s Thanks to our Sponsors:https://www.expressvpn.com/deephttps://www.oracle.com/deepquestionshttps://www.indeed.com/deephttps://www.calderalab.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episoder(420)

Ep. 20: Habit Tune-Up: Productivity System Indecision, Embracing Boredom, and Craving Depth in a Shallow Job

Ep. 20: Habit Tune-Up: Productivity System Indecision, Embracing Boredom, and Craving Depth in a Shallow Job

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...

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Ep. 19: Calendar Shaming, Digital Detox Struggles, and the Unexpected Challenges of Autonomy | DEEP QUESTIONS

Ep. 19: Calendar Shaming, Digital Detox Struggles, and the Unexpected Challenges of Autonomy | DEEP QUESTIONS

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions on calendar shaming, digital detox struggles, and the unexpected challenges of gaining more professional autonomy, among many other topics.I...

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Ep. 18: Habit Tune-Up: Outsourcing Chores, Mitigating Unavoidable Distractions, and Productivity Beyond Basic Lists

Ep. 18: Habit Tune-Up: Outsourcing Chores, Mitigating Unavoidable Distractions, and Productivity Beyond Basic Lists

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...

13 Aug 202043min

Ep. 17: Delegation Without Email, Fighting Imposter Syndrome, and My Thoughts on Critical Theory | DEEP QUESTIONS

Ep. 17: Delegation Without Email, Fighting Imposter Syndrome, and My Thoughts on Critical Theory | DEEP QUESTIONS

In this episode of Deep Questions I answer reader questions on delegating without email, effective methods for fighting imposter syndrome, and my take on critical theory (which leads to an impromptu h...

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Ep. 16: Habit Tune-Up: Why Relaxation is Overrated and the Importance of Facing the Productivity Dragon

Ep. 16: Habit Tune-Up: Why Relaxation is Overrated and the Importance of Facing the Productivity Dragon

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...

6 Aug 202037min

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 ...

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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...

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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...

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