Episodes
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Ep. 395: Should I Try a “Social Media Pause”?
A social media pause is an intentional break to explore your relationship with social media, helping you to learn what aspects are necessary or beneficial to your life.
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AI Reality Check: Did the LLM Job Apocalypse Begin Last Week?
Jack Dorsey's layoffs at Block might be more about correcting overexpansion rather than AI automating jobs.
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Ep. 394: Do I Need a Better Planning System?
Planning systems are essential for gaining control over your time in a distracted world.
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Ep. 393: Can Movies Save Us From Our Phones?
The struggle to watch full-length films is indicative of a declining cognitive patience caused by constant digital distractions, but engaging with movies can help rebuild focus.
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Ep. 392: Are “Micro-Streamers” the Future of Media? + Why Cal Spent $60 on a Task App
Micro-streamers like Dropout TV are creating high-quality content that rivals legacy platforms, revolutionizing media consumption.
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Ep. 391: Is AI Reporting Broken? + Rethinking Morning Routines
Be critical of AI news reporting: Look out for hype and be aware of the three traps—vibe reporting, digital-ick, and faux-stonishment.
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Ep. 390: What Happens When You Ditch Your Smartphone? + Assessing the Internet’s Latest Self-Help Sensation
Consider the benefits of phone-free living, including reduced anxiety, enhanced focus on meaningful activities, increased creativity through boredom, and a deeper appreciation of the world around you.
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Ep. 389: Is the Internet Hijacking Ambition? + Escaping Messaging Hell
Ambition is a natural instinct that can be supported or hijacked by the internet.
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Ep. 388: What’s Worrying Jon Haidt Now? + Should You Buy a Landline? (Cal just did…)
Jonathan Haidt's insights on the dangers of smartphone use in children have been validated, with schools seeing improved mental health after instituting phone bans.
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Ep 387: Can Substack Save Journalism? + Viral Advice for Ignoring Your Phone
Paul Krugman's move to Substack represents a potential shift in journalism, showcasing that independent authors can find success outside traditional media.
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Ep 386: Was 2025 a Great or Terrible Year for AI? (w/ Ed Zitron)
2025 was a year full of significant AI news but culminated in more questions than answers.
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Ep 385: Single-Purpose Notebooks (REPLAY)
Using single-purpose notebooks can enhance focus and creativity by dedicating space for one idea.
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Ep 384: What Should I Read for a Deeper New Year?
Cal Newport emphasizes the importance of intentionally selecting books that inspire deep thought and reflection for personal growth.
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Ep 383: Why Is Everyone Talking About “Against the Machine”? (w/ Tyler Austin Harper)
Paul Kingsnorth's book 'Against the Machine' critiques the destructive effects of technology on society and urges individuals to cultivate limits in their lives.
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Ep. 382: Is the Internet Becoming Television?
The internet is evolving into a medium dominated by continuous video content, reflecting a shift from social interaction to passive consumption.
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Ep. Ep 381: Life Advice from Legendary Writers
Iterative processes, like writing revisions, can apply to life decisions; reflect and adjust based on experience.
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Ep. 380: ChatGPT is Not Alive!
AI language models do not possess consciousness or the capability to think like humans.
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Ep. 379: The Flexibility Myth
The myth of flexibility in the workplace transcends individual preferences; unpredictability is a critical issue affecting many knowledge workers.
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Ep. 378: The Lost Art of Long Thinking
Long thinking is essential for producing meaningful and original insights, which are increasingly rare in an age dominated by digital distractions.
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Ep. 377: The Case Against Superintelligence
Yudkowsky's arguments about superintelligent AI often rely on the assumption that such intelligence is inevitable, which may not be justified.
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