The Cal Newport Show
Ep. 378: The Lost Art of Long Thinking
· Summarized
Key takeaways
- Long thinking is essential for producing meaningful and original insights, which are increasingly rare in an age dominated by digital distractions.
- Modern technologies exacerbate difficulties in sustained thinking; strategies need to be employed to recover this capacity.
- Tools like the notebook method encourage deeper thinking, enabling individuals to organize and develop their thoughts effectively.
- Engaging in long thinking can cultivate a richer life by fostering self-understanding, creativity, and reducing the tendency toward tribalism.
- It’s essential to create a balance between technology use and activities that foster deep contemplation and creativity.
Summary
Intro to Long Thinking
Cal Newport introduces the concept of 'long thinking,' contrasting it with our modern reliance on digital devices that often limit our attention and creative depth. He emphasizes the need for 'long thinking' as a fundamental skill for producing original and meaningful insights.
The Three Parts of Long Thinking
The episode delineates three parts of the discussion on long thinking: 1) Defining what long thinking entails; 2)Explaining how contemporary technological distractions inhibit long thinking; and 3) Proposing practical strategies for regaining and practicing long thinking.
Real-Life Applications of Long Thinking
Newport shares personal anecdotes illustrating his own instances of long thinking, including a past encounter where he conceptualized a creative solution in a scenic environment without the distraction of digital tools. His use of simple methods, like taking notes in a physical notebook, is emphasized as crucial.
Why Long Thinking Matters
Newport argues that long thinking fosters personal understanding, nurtures original insights valuable to others, and can help individuals avoid simplistic tribalism. Long thinking encourages deeper connections with oneself and others, enhancing the richness of human experience.
Challenges of Long Thinking Today
The discussion highlights how modern technology reduces our ability to engage in long thinking. Digital distractions and the excess of refined information lead to fragmented attention and shorter cognitive processing, making it difficult for individuals to engage in the depth of thought necessary for long thinking.
Strategies for Regaining Long Thinking Skills
Newport advocates for the notebook method, where individuals dedicate time to work through thoughts in a structured way—ideally, in a distraction-free, scenic environment. This method involves intentional writing to help consolidate ideas and insights.
Listener Questions and Book Reviews
Cal addresses listener questions related to organization techniques for written material, reading habits for students, creative writing without digital assistance, and the importance of book reflections. Additionally, Cal shares his reading list for October, which includes a variety of books covering historical analysis and biographical insights.
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Show notes
We often talk on this show about how digital devices undermine our ability to consume more complicated and meaningful ideas. But what about our ability to produce such ideas from scratch? In this episode, Cal identifies a key productive skill – long thinking – that we’re increasingly losing. He argues that it’s critical for living a deep life and provides a simple strategy to help regain the skill. He then answers listener questions and discusses the books he read in October 2025.
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: The Lost Art of Long Thinking [0:02]
How does Cal organize his notebooks for his books and New Yorker articles? [42:40]
How can an 18 year old student get better at reading? [45:42]
How can I restart my creative writing if I don’t want to use a computer? [47:56]
Is it important to write reflections on the books I read? [56:57]
How often should I take reflection walks with single purpose notebooks? [59:00]CASE STUDY: Trying to live a Deep Life [1:00:47]CALL: Adventure Work [1:09:00]OCTOBER BOOKS: The 5 Books Cal Read in October 2025 [1:11:57]
The Gift of the Jews (Thomas Cahill)Lin-Manuel Miranda (Daniel Pollack-Pelzner)Inspired (Rachel Held Evans)The Future of Tutoring (Liz Cohen)Society of the Spectacle (Guy Debord)
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slowGet a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?calnewport.com/solutions-beyond-the-screen-the-adventure-work-method-for-producing-creative-insights/youtube.com/watch?v=bEusrD8g-dMcalnewport.com/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/
Thanks to our Sponsors:
indeed.com/deepcozyearth.com/deep for up to 40% offwayfair.comgrammarly.com/podcast
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.
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