Deep Questions with Cal Newport
- Episódios
- 463
- Publicação
- várias vezes por semana
- Último episódio
- 22 out 2026
Sobre o podcast
Cal Newport is a computer science professor and a New York Times bestselling author who writes about the impact of technology on society, and the struggle to work and live deeply in a world increasingly mired in digital distractions. On this podcast, he answers questions from his readers and offers advice about cultivating focus, productivity, and meaning amidst the noise that pervades our lives.
Episódios 463
Why Did Big Tech Stop Building Useful Products?
Tesla’s recent demo of a rocket-powered Roadster doing a kick-flick over a parked car touched a nerve in me. It seemed to epitomize changes to the tech sector in recent years that have been largely negative. In …
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Tesla’s recent demo of a rocket-powered Roadster doing a kick-flick over a parked car touched a nerve in me. It seemed to epitomize changes to the tech sector in recent years that have been largely negative. In this short episode, I jump on the mic to explain some of my developing thoughts surrounding these ideas. More from Cal Download Cal’s FREE guide to cultivating a deeper life: calnewport.com/ideas Learn more about Cal’s books: calnewport.com/books Listen to Cal’s podcast: thedeeplife.com/listen Chapters 00:00 Intro 02:40 Factor 1: Growth companies vs. stable companies 05:40 Factor 2: Engagement-pilling 08:00 Factor 3: Building useful products is hard 10:43 Why this is a problem — and what we can do about it 13:49 Outro Credits: Podcast Production: Jesse Miller Newsletter/Research: Nate Mechler Theme Music: Jay Kerstens
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“Rogue” AI Not Inevitable. It’s a Choice.
A lot of attention has been paid recently to examples of AI going “rogue.” What’s missing from this discussion, however, is a more detailed explanation of what specific types of systems are causing problems …
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A lot of attention has been paid recently to examples of AI going “rogue.” What’s missing from this discussion, however, is a more detailed explanation of what specific types of systems are causing problems. Taking a closer look at this problem reveals an issue that’s much more narrow and much more avoidable than some of the frontier labs would like you to believe.
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
(0:00) Rogue AI not inevitable. It’s a choice.
(54:00) The legal implications of rogue AI
(1:00:03) Rogue AI sending advice emails
(1:07:41) A reaction to the recent episode about “chatbots harming kids”
(1:16:52) What Cal is up to
October books:
Telephone: The first hundred years (John Brooks)
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
https://openai.com/index/how-we-monitor-internal-coding-agents-misalignment/
https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Paul-Ohm-Testimony.pdf
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/09/opinion/children-screens-parents-health.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/21/technology/openai-attack-hugging-face.html?eafs_enabled=false
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/technology/openai-ai-breach-australia.html?eafs_enabled=false
Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.cozyearth.com (Use code “DEEP” for 20% off)
https://www.meetfabric.com/deep
https://www.pipedrive.com/deep
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Nate Mechler for research and newsletter, and Ben Crain and Rob Montz for video editing.
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An Unlikely Team Tackles AI Brain Rot
How do we stop from becoming so reliant on LLMs that we lose our ability to think. A new paper explores answers based on an unlikely source: rigorous mathematical models. In this episode, Cal explains the paper …
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How do we stop from becoming so reliant on LLMs that we lose our ability to think. A new paper explores answers based on an unlikely source: rigorous mathematical models. In this episode, Cal explains the paper and its conclusions, arguing that once you cut through its complexity it yields a useful way of thinking about our current AI moment.
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
(0:00) An unlikely team tackles AI brain rot
(38:08) What are Cal’s thoughts on how Jesse Singal describes AI?
(56:29) A look at some vision documents
(1:00:42) Cal’s advice for a parenting situation
(1:03:16) What Cal is up to
October books:
Simplify (Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, Roy Schwartz)
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
https://arxiv.org/pdf/2609.03344
https://thedispatch.com/article/artificial-intelligence-hugging-face-security-death/
Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.factormeals.com/deep50off (Use code “DEEP50OFF”)
https://www.calderalab.com/deep (Use code “DEEP”)
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Nate Mechler for research and newsletter, and Ben Crain and Rob Montz for video editing.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A Stark Warning From a Former AI Doomer
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Cal interviews Emile Torres who provides a stark warning about AI. Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia (0:00) A stark warning from a …
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Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Cal interviews Emile Torres who provides a stark warning about AI.
Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia
(0:00) A stark warning from a former AI doomer
(2:01) Interview with Emile Torres
(1:13:57) Cal recaps the interview with Emile
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Nate Mechler for research and newsletter, and Ben Crain and Rob Montz for video editing.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Combating the Whirlwind with a Single Sheet of Paper
One of the more debilitating experiences in our current digital world is the sense of being trapped in relentless, reactive, busyness. This “whirlwind” can separate you from both ambition and presence, leaving …
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One of the more debilitating experiences in our current digital world is the sense of being trapped in relentless, reactive, busyness. This “whirlwind” can separate you from both ambition and presence, leaving you feeling flat and fried. In this episode, Cal discusses a simple trick he deploys when he finds himself in this state. It requires only a single sheet of paper.
More from Cal Download Cal’s FREE guide to cultivating a deeper life: calnewport.com/ideas Learn more about Cal’s books: calnewport.com/books Listen to Cal’s podcast: thedeeplife.com/listen(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:25) Why Overload Makes Life Feel Flat
(00:05:17) The Two Plus Five Plan
(00:21:54) The Long-Term Fix: Workload Management
(00:26:04) Office Hours: Rebuilding After a Health Crisis
(00:31:50) Landlining and Taming Your Phone
(00:46:54) Talking to AI, Star Trek Style
(00:55:57) September Books and Studio Update
Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.monarch.com (Use code “DEEP”)
https://www.pipedrive.com/deep
Credits: Podcast Production: Jesse Miller Newsletter/Research: Nate Mechler Theme Music: Jay Kerstens
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
An Insider's Guide to AI Doom
The conversation around AI harms has become incredibly heated in recent weeks. But it's also incredibly confusing. In this short explainer episode, Cal walks through the three major categories of beliefs around …
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The conversation around AI harms has become incredibly heated in recent weeks. But it's also incredibly confusing. In this short explainer episode, Cal walks through the three major categories of beliefs around AI in the current moment and helps explain who belongs where and how they all relate to each other. If you're trying to keep up with AI news you have need to learn this framework.
Chapters:
(0:00) Intro
(1:01) Why the debate is so heated
(2:01) Group 1: The Doomers (rationalists and effective altruists)
(9:12) Anthropic, OpenAI, and the doomer civil war
(14:03) Group 2: The Accelerationists
(17:51) Group 3: The Centrists
(24:00) The full landscape and the fight over regulation
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
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Kids Should *Not* Use Chatbots! (You Should Be Wary, Too…)
With all the recent discussion of the potential catastrophic impacts AI might cause in the future, we’re losing track of the significant harms it is already causing right now. In this episode, Cal goes deep …
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With all the recent discussion of the potential catastrophic impacts AI might cause in the future, we’re losing track of the significant harms it is already causing right now. In this episode, Cal goes deep into a serious and tragic topic that he recently learned about in a panel discussion about children and technology. He has an urgent warning for parents that has implications for all of us as well.
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
(0:00) Kids should not use Chatbots
(39:52) What is Cal’s opinion of a recent NY Times article about dumb phones?
(45:04) How should I apply Slow Productivity when my company rewards quick email turnaround?
(51:00) What happens when the craftsman mindset doesn’t yield results?
(56:30) Cal’s reaction to Ezra Klein’s article on AI
(1:10:51) What Cal is up to
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3xgwyywe4o
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/parents-allege-harmful-character-ai-chatbot-content-60-minutes/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12967755/
https://parentstogetheraction.org/character-ai/
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/16/opinion/dumbphone-smartphone-friendship.html
Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.masterclass.com/deep
https://www.calderalab.com/deep
https://www.vanta.com/deepquestions
https://www.pipedrive.com/deep
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Truth About Brain Rot
A recent New York Times op-ed reveals the true nature of “brain rot,” and in doing so reveals a much larger problem affecting us all. In this episode, Cal explores this broader problem then draws from an …
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A recent New York Times op-ed reveals the true nature of “brain rot,” and in doing so reveals a much larger problem affecting us all. In this episode, Cal explores this broader problem then draws from an unlikely source from his childhood to help identify a dramatic solution.
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
(0:00) The truth about brain rot
(31:31) Will you address Immanuale Kants “Critique of Pure Reason” in your upcoming book about thinking?
(33:42) What is the difference between the strategic plan and vision document?
(36:59) Can I buy the “Deep Life” on pre-order?
(39:30) Cal discusses his recent newsletters
(41:54) My small business uses Claude. Is that ok?
(44:45) Are any AI companies responsible to use?
(45:28) The truth about LLMs
(45:45) What are some AI book recommendations?
(46:42) AI and regulation
(50:25) What Cal is up to?
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WePNs-G7puA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIeeDcnu9Ck
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/08/opinion/gen-z-tiktok-ig-reels.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlnmQbPGuls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XRKcUtOkbs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_zYn-HHcyA
Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.cozyearth.com (Use code “DEEP”)
https://www.drinklmnt.com/deep
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The AI Resistance is Forming. (Should You Join?)
After a week spent debating AI’s impact on humanity, Cal wants to turn his attention back to AI’s impact on humans. To support this shift, he brings on the writer Brad Stulberg who recently decided that he was …
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After a week spent debating AI’s impact on humanity, Cal wants to turn his attention back to AI’s impact on humans. To support this shift, he brings on the writer Brad Stulberg who recently decided that he was “done” with AI. They explore whether this is a resistance movement in the making…
Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia More from Cal Download Cal’s FREE guide to cultivating a deeper life: calnewport.com/ideas Learn more about Cal’s books: calnewport.com/books Listen to Cal’s podcast: thedeeplife.com/listen Chapters (0:00) A new paper calls LLMs a "cognitive virus"
(4:03) Brad gave AI a real shot — then quit
(8:13) Why everything online now sounds the same
(13:22) Plank 1: Effort, struggle, and the click-of-a-button economy
(20:11) You can take a gondola to the summit, but you didn't climb it
(28:30) Plank 2: AI is an average maker
(33:39) AI swirl: pseudo-productivity turned up to 11
(49:40) Treat AI like ultra-processed food
(55:08) Getting it off your phone, and the lesson of sports analytics
(1:00:13) Team Human and the humanist resistance Sponsors:
https://www.horizon3.com/deep
https://www.calderalab.com/deep
https://www.notion.com/cal
https://www.factormeals.com/deep50off (Use code "deep50off") Credits: Podcast Production: Jesse Miller Newsletter/Research: Nate Mechler Theme Music: Jay Kerstens
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How Worrisome is GPT-6’s “Stealth Thinking”? | Tech Decoded
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia (0:00) How Worrisome is GPT-6’s “Stealth Thinking”? (8:58) Reasoning models (15:30) Astra (21:02) The …
Notas do episódio
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News.
Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia
(0:00) How Worrisome is GPT-6’s “Stealth Thinking”?
(8:58) Reasoning models
(15:30) Astra
(21:02) The Good
(24:48) The Bad
(28:28) The Hype
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QNsdr-Qx_I
https://x.com/_NathanCalvin/status/2094957301564092914
https://x.com/sjgadler/status/2094959837691908214?s=61
https://x.com/merettm/status/2095023204993490967?s=20
https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.11473
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How I’m Organizing My Life this Fall | Advice
It’s that time of year again when Cal tunes up his organizational systems for the onslaught of the fall. In this episode, Cal walks through the exact system he’s personally adopting for the next few months. He …
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It’s that time of year again when Cal tunes up his organizational systems for the onslaught of the fall. In this episode, Cal walks through the exact system he’s personally adopting for the next few months. He also discusses why such systems are key to thriving in our current frenetic technological world, why it’s important to continue to tweak your systems, and best practices for constructing your own setup.
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
(0:00) How I’m organizing my life this fall
(24:36) An Irish novelist talks about her use of AI
(30:11) Developing a more balanced approach to tech products
(35:04) Cal’s opinion on an AI article
(41:55) Large corporations move away from all enterprise AI
(48:46) What Cal is up to
August 2026 Books
The New Dark Age (Nigel Biggar)
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
https://culturedcode.com/things/
https://www.timeblockplanner.com/
Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.monarch.com (Use code “DEEP”)
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Did OpenAI Create “Secret AI Civilizations”? | Tech Decoded
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia (0:00) Does OpenAI create “secret AI civilizations”? (1:59) What’s the deal with “agent swarms”? …
Notas do episódio
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News.
Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia
(0:00) Does OpenAI create “secret AI civilizations”?
(1:59) What’s the deal with “agent swarms”?
(8:54) Should we be worried that the agents are plotting?
(17:39) How should we be thinking about all of this?
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
https://www.dwarkesh.com/p/openai-huggingface
https://calnewport.com/has-ai-gone-rogue/
https://calnewport.com/are-we-at-war-with-ai-agent-civilizations/
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rethinking the Deep Life Stack (Again!) | Monday Advice
Back in 2023, Cal released an episode on a lifestyle design strategy I called the Deep Life Stack. Today, almost three years later, Cal revisits this idea and replaces it with a more robust concept that he …
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Back in 2023, Cal released an episode on a lifestyle design strategy I called the Deep Life Stack. Today, almost three years later, Cal revisits this idea and replaces it with a more robust concept that he calls “The Deep Life Map.”
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
(0:00) Rethinking the Deep Life stack
(38:07) Too many interests and not enough time
(47:29) Voluntary attention regulates acute immune responses in humans
(55:34) A freelance musician and social media
(1:09:08) What Cal is up to
August 2026 Books
An Inside Job (Daniel Silva)
Three Years in Wonderland (Todd James Pierce)
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
Get 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://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-026-02541-1
https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Cal-Newport/author/B001IGNR0U
Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.surfshark.com/deepquestions
https://www.masterclass.com/deep
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Has AI “Gone Rogue”? Let’s Look Closer… | Tech Decoded
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia (0:00) Has AI “Gone Rogue” (2:25) Observation #1 - Most Superhuman AI is well behaved (4:28) …
Notas do episódio
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News.
Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia
(0:00) Has AI “Gone Rogue”
(2:25) Observation #1 - Most Superhuman AI is well behaved
(4:28) Observation #2 - A specific type of AI system is causing these problems
(9:59) Observation #3 - This specific type of system is a bad idea
(21:25) Observation #4 - The AI companies are negligent
(27:04) Observation #5 - We can push back
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
https://www.anthropic.com/news/investigating-incidents-cybersecurity-evals
https://x.com/_NathanCalvin/status/2080685870877757551
https://huggingface.co/learn/agents-course/unit1/agent-steps-and-structure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwAOHVBKTwg
Sponsor:
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How to Build a Cognitive Training Plan | Monday Advice
In the world of physical health, we use so-called “key performance indicators” (KPIs) to help measure and improve our fitness. In today’s episode, Cal proposes a collection of three KPIs for measuring and …
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In the world of physical health, we use so-called “key performance indicators” (KPIs) to help measure and improve our fitness. In today’s episode, Cal proposes a collection of three KPIs for measuring and improving your *cognitive* capabilities – a small step toward his larger vision of a cognitive fitness revolution.
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
(0:00) How to build a cognitive training plan
(29:48) What is Cal’s opinion on information fatigue syndrome?
(37:04) Comments on the new book, “Pardon Our French: The Parisian Way to a Happier Life”
(40:17) An interesting way to think about AI and thinking
(47:37) An article about Disneyland, high quality leisure, and deep living
(57:53) What Cal is up to
August 2026 Books
The Laws of Thought (Tom Griffiths)
This is For Everyone (Tim Berners-Lee)
Into the Deep (Bob Ballard and Christopher Drew)202
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
Get 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://pluralistic.net/2021/07/18/boredom-and-its-discontents-part-ii/
https://pluralistic.net/2026/08/12/insurance-value-of-biodiversity/
Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.calderalab.com/deep (Use code “DEEP)
https://www.vanta.com/deepquestions
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Classic Episode: How Do I Kick My Scrolling Habit? | Monday Advice
The best way to kick your scrolling habit is to introduce more “high quality leisure” into your life. But how do you accomplish this goal? In this replay of a classic episode from February, 2024, Cal walks …
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The best way to kick your scrolling habit is to introduce more “high quality leisure” into your life. But how do you accomplish this goal? In this replay of a classic episode from February, 2024, Cal walks through six new habits – what he calls a “high quality leisure toolkit” – for rebuilding your life around more meaningful activities.
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
(0:00) Confronting Your Phone
(13:06) What does Cal think about Neil Postman’s “Amusing Ourselves To Death”?
(17:45) Can you pursue high quality leisure after a day filled with deep work?
(21:56) Can commercial breaks be used for high quality leisure?
(25:04) Will digital minimalism work in an age of augmented reality?
(31:26) How can a full time YouTuber practice digital minimalism?
(38:34) How to share content online?
(46:27) Cost-benefit analysis of technology usage
(49:09) JRR Tolkien’s Search for Depth
Links:
https://twitter.com/explore/tabs/trending
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/popular/hl=en
https://www.tiktok.com/foryou?lang=en
https://newcriterion.com/blogs/dispatch/the-consolations-of-fantasy
Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.cozyearth.com (Use code “DEEP”)
https://www.shopify.com/deep
https://www.monarch.com (Use code “DEEP”)
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How Do I Finish Meaningful Projects? | Monday Advice
Only 8% of people finish their yearly goals. At the same time, the percentage of people feeling a sense of meaning of purpose in their life is falling. These two numbers are connected: the more we struggle to …
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Only 8% of people finish their yearly goals. At the same time, the percentage of people feeling a sense of meaning of purpose in their life is falling. These two numbers are connected: the more we struggle to accomplish meaningful projects, the less meaningful our lives might feel. In this episode, Cal looks back to a classic article he wrote nearly twenty years ago to both better understand why this problem is getting worse and how we can solve it.
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
(0:00) How do I finish meaningful projects?
(39:36) A new study about children with cellphones having poorer reading comprehension
(43:14) A nurse practitioner in search of deep work
(45:45) Using AI to improve both your work and life
(52:24) A recent Wall Street Journal article about AI and jobs
(1:00:07) What Cal is up to
July 2026 Books
Orality and Literacy (Walter Ong)
Lost (Rachel Harrington)
Sapiens (Yuval Harari)
More Everything Forever (Adam Becker)
Disneyland the Rise of Automation (Roland Bethencourt)
A Brief History of Intelligence (Max Bennett)
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
Get 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://news.gallup.com/poll/711836/gen-zers-missing-sense-meaning-purpose-life.aspx
https://calnewport.com/the-einstein-principle-accomplish-more-by-doing-less/
https://futureoftuesday.substack.com/p/techno-analog
Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.factormeals.com/deep50off
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Does OpenAI’s Astra Mean AGI Has Arrived? | AI Reality Check
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia (0:00) Does Open AI’s Astra mean AGI has arrived? (3:07) What actually happened? (11:35) What does …
Notas do episódio
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News.
Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia
(0:00) Does Open AI’s Astra mean AGI has arrived?
(3:07) What actually happened?
(11:35) What does this mean for mathematics?
(21:35) What does this mean for OpenAI?
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
https://x.com/polynoamial/status/2083467194663571701
https://x.com/deanwball/status/2083545756003176724?s=61
https://x.com/kevinroose/status/2083632335438905441
https://x.com/mattshumer_/status/2083595078233202919
https://x.com/polynoamial/status/2083478171975082334
https://x.com/__alpoge__/status/2083898804563243033
https://x.com/polynoamial/status/2083476852216369294
https://x.com/thomasfbloom/status/2083444983592284465
Sponsor:
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Classic Episode: How Do I Learn Hard Things? | Monday Advice
In this replay of a classic episode from January 1st, 2024, Cal walks through the process of learning hard things. The good news is that most people can learn most things. The bad news is that learning is …
Notas do episódio
In this replay of a classic episode from January 1st, 2024, Cal walks through the process of learning hard things. The good news is that most people can learn most things. The bad news is that learning is harder than we think. This advice has never been more relevant for those looking to move past the easy dopamine hits offered by their devices and find something deeper.
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
(0:00) Learning hard things
(21:19) When it comes to taking notes, what really matters?
(27:32) Can I fit all of my hobbies into my week?
(31:12) Can YouTube teach me to be a better student?
(37:37) How do I figure out what to learn next?
(39:54) How do I learn something fast when I already have a busy schedule?-
(46:24) CALL: How does “So Good They Can’t Ignore You” relate to “Slow Productivity”?
(56:17) CASE STUDY: Slow Productivity affinity group
(1:02:23) The 5 books Cal read in December 2023
Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.monarch.com (Use code “DEEP”)
https://www.calderalab.com/deep
This show is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/deepquestions
December 2023 Books:
Home Economics (Wendell Berry)
Panora’s Box (Peter Biskind)
Where the Deer and the Antelope Play (Nick Offerman)
Who Wrote the Bible (Richard Elliott Friedman)
The Exodus (Richard Elliott Friedman)
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Did OpenAI’s Model “Go Rogue”? | AI Reality Check
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia (0:00) Did OpenAI’s model “go rogue” (11:29) The implications (11:42) Did this attack reveal …
Notas do episódio
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News.
Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia
(0:00) Did OpenAI’s model “go rogue”
(11:29) The implications
(11:42) Did this attack reveal surprising new capabilities we didn’t know AI systems possessed?
(12:48) Did the system’s decision to escape the test environment and autonomously attack another company indicate an emerging malicious intent in AI?
(16:28) What changed led to this attack occurring?
(27:32) Who should care about this story?
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
https://huggingface.co/blog/security-incident-july-2026
https://openai.com/index/hugging-face-model-evaluation-security-incident/
https://thehill.com/policy/technology/5987397-openai-hugging-face-hack/
https://www.ft.com/content/7e558951-0c69-459b-8bc8-2c6021d4402d?syn-25a6b1a6=1
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Why Do Digital Detoxes Fail? What Works Better? | Monday Advice
Why do digital detoxes fail to create lasting change? What works better? To answer these questions, Cal draws from the book “A Brief History of Intelligence” to reveal the relevant neuroscience at play, and …
Notas do episódio
Why do digital detoxes fail to create lasting change? What works better? To answer these questions, Cal draws from the book “A Brief History of Intelligence” to reveal the relevant neuroscience at play, and then use this understanding to figure out a better method for improving your relationship with your devices.
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
(0:00) Why do digital detoxes fail?
(28:28) An article on the phone algorithm addiction
(35:13) Follow up on the Brad Stulberg interview
(40:21) A policy article on digital addiction
(52:34) Deep work in the age of AI
(57:46) What Cal is up to
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
Get 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://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/04/us/politics/online-addictions-cut-back-screen-time.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/14/opinion/culture/phone-algorithm-addiction.html
https://www.splunk.com/en_us/blog/learn/goodharts-law.html
Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.masterclass.com/deep
https://www.expressvpn.com/deep
https://www.vanta.com/deepquestions
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Am I Optimizing Too Much? | Monday Advice
Cal Newport talks with Brad Stulberg to explain the optimization paradox in Episode 414 of the Deep Questions podcast. Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your …
Notas do episódio
Cal Newport talks with Brad Stulberg to explain the optimization paradox in Episode 414 of the Deep Questions podcast.
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
(0:00) The Optimization Paradox
(2:12) Interview with Brad Stulberg
(35:12) Health optimization
(1:09:16) Tail end development
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://cozyearth.com (Use code “DEEP”)
Cal Newport is not a Wealthfront client.
Wealthfront’s high-yield cash account: https://www.wealthfront.com/deep. This experience may not be representative of other Wealthfront clients, and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Experiences will vary. Cal Newport receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Brokerage for paid endorsement in his podcast, creating a conflict of interest. The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The base APY is 3.30% on cash deposits as of January 30, 2026, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. If eligible for the overall boosted rate of 4.05% offered in connection with this promo, your boosted rate is also subject to change if the base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period. Additional terms and conditions apply, which can be found on wealthfront.com/deep. Funds in the Cash Account are swept to program banks, where it earns the variable APY. Investment advisory services are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value.
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Does Claude Have Private Thoughts? (Everyone Settle Down) | AI Reality Check
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia (0:00) Anthropic’s new research report (2:05) Digging into the paper (3:32) High level tutorial on …
Notas do episódio
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News.
Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia
(0:00) Anthropic’s new research report
(2:05) Digging into the paper
(3:32) High level tutorial on LLMs
(6:18) Detail on annotations
(13:50) What the Anthropic paper found
(20:39) Why this is interesting research
(26:28) Conclusion on consciousness
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
https://www.anthropic.com/research/global-workspace
https://x.com/RileyRalmuto/status/2074195587616964757
https://www.axios.com/2026/07/06/anthropic-claude-ai-conscious
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Should I Use Notebooks More Often? (Cal’s Strategy) | Monday Advice
Tell me if this sounds familiar: you buy a beautiful notebook, excited by all its possibilities to help refine your thoughts and generate new insights. Then it sits unused until you forget about it. The problem …
Notas do episódio
Tell me if this sounds familiar: you buy a beautiful notebook, excited by all its possibilities to help refine your thoughts and generate new insights. Then it sits unused until you forget about it. The problem is not *what* notebooks you own but instead *how* you use them. In this episode, Cal walks through the four different notebooks he owns, and the four different ways he uses them.
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
(0:00) Should I Use Notebooks More Often? (Cal’s Strategy)
(30:11) Comments on a controversial article
(33:18 ) Statistics about smartphone bans in schools
(38:15) A practical question about remote work
(40:57) A question about focus and the World Cup
(46:08) What Cal is up to
(48:12) What Cal is reading
Books:
Orality and Literacy: The Technologizing of the Word (Walter Ong)
Lost (Rachel Hartigan)
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
Get 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://x.com/JimenaJuani/status/2072095851816620191?s=20
Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.factormeals.com/deep50off
Cal Newport is not a Wealthfront client.
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Do Managers Actually Understand AI? (I’m Not So Sure.) | AI Reality Check
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia (0:00) Does business actually understand AI? (2:52) Quote #2 (6:20) Taking a step back (7:06) Quote …
Notas do episódio
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia (0:00) Does business actually understand AI? (2:52) Quote #2 (6:20) Taking a step back (7:06) Quote #3 (11:39) Quote #4 (17:02) Idea for journalists Links: Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/02/world/europe/germany-sap-ai-jobs-skilled-workers.html https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/nvidia-ceo-begs-execs-stop-fired-ai https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/articles/marc-andreessen-says-every-large-033008122.html https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/articles/sam-altman-says-initially-wrong-132000485.html Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Should I Turn Off the Internet? (Lessons From a Family That Did) | Monday Advice
It’s a dream a lot of us have: to finally say “enough!”, and turn off the internet inside our homes, returning us to a lifestyle that requires more presence, introspection, and connection. But is this even …
Notas do episódio
It’s a dream a lot of us have: to finally say “enough!”, and turn off the internet inside our homes, returning us to a lifestyle that requires more presence, introspection, and connection. But is this even possible? And what would it really be like? In this episode, Cal seeks answers to these questions by talking to Chris Moody, a journalism professor at Appalachian State, who lives with his wife and young son in a cabin with no internet, television, or cellular signal.
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
(0:00) Should I turn off the internet?
(3:28) Interview with Chris Moody
(1:02:58) Cal’s closing remarks
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
Thanks to our Sponsors:
This show is sponsored by Better Help:
https://www.betterhelp.com/deepquestions
https://www.calderalab.com/deep
https://www.pipedrive.com/deep
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Can I Be a Digital Minimalist in 2026? | Monday Advice
Back in 2019, Cal published one of the first books arguing that we rethink our personal relationship with online tools. Can his advice still work in an age of TikTok and ChatGPT? In today’s episode, Cal dives …
Notas do episódio
Back in 2019, Cal published one of the first books arguing that we rethink our personal relationship with online tools. Can his advice still work in an age of TikTok and ChatGPT? In today’s episode, Cal dives deep into the r/DigitalMinimalism sub-reddit to see what advice contemporary digital minimalists are following and offers his own thoughts and recommendations.
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
(0:00) Can I be a Digital Minimalist in 2026?
(39:13) How can I capture notes if I’m land lining?
(40:39) For cognitive fitness, is it better to be handwriting or typing?
(42:07) A note on art museum visits
(43:46) Reactions to an article about AI and software engineering
(49:39) What the Deep Life really is
(50:46) What Cal read
(52:08) What Cal watched
Books:
The Jewish Way to a Good Life (Rabbi Shira Stuntman)
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
Get 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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeNNYMJwZtI
https://www.reddit.com/r/digitalminimalism/
https://www.reddit.com/r/digitalminimalism/comments/1tm9rce/where_do_you_still_find_human_curation/
https://www.normaltech.ai/p/why-ai-hasnt-replaced-software-engineers
Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.vanta.com/deepquestions
https://www.drinklmnt.com/deep
https://www.expressvpn.com/deep
https://www.wealthfront.com/deep
Cal Newport is not a Wealthfront client.
Wealthfront’s high-yield cash account: https://www.wealthfront.com/deep. This experience may not be representative of other Wealthfront clients, and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Experiences will vary. Cal Newport receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Brokerage for paid endorsement in his podcast, creating a conflict of interest. The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The base APY is 3.30% on cash deposits as of January 30, 2026, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. If eligible for the overall boosted rate of 4.05% offered in connection with this promo, your boosted rate is also subject to change if the base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period. Additional terms and conditions apply, which can be found on wealthfront.com/deep. Funds in the Cash Account are swept to program banks, where it earns the variable APY. Investment advisory services are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value.
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dear AI Companies: Stop the “Doom Trolling” | AI Reality Check
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia (0:00) Stop the “doom trolling” (6:53) Cal’s recent New York Times article (9:00) Cal’s argument …
Notas do episódio
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News.
Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia
(0:00) Stop the “doom trolling”
(6:53) Cal’s recent New York Times article
(9:00) Cal’s argument
(10:16) The 2nd option
(12:54) Conclusion
(15:58) Stop playing along with Doom Trolling game
(20:09) Use the term “doom trolling”
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/17/opinion/ai-dangerous-openai-anthropic.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/24/opinion/yuval-harari-ai-chatgpt.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/opinion/anthropic-ai-claude-mythos.html
https://www.anthropic.com/institute/recursive-self-improvement
https://x.com/sapinker/status/2067231673268273547
https://x.com/edzitron/status/2067308832053936276
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Am I Lazy or Overstimulated? | Monday Advice
Cal Newport explains about if you're lazy or overstimulated in episode 410 of the Deep Questions podcast. Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered …
Notas do episódio
Cal Newport explains about if you're lazy or overstimulated in episode 410 of the Deep Questions podcast.
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
(0:00) Am I lazy or overstimulated?
(28:29) A reaction to Cal’s recent New Yorker article
(38:23) Positive lessons from box offices successes of Gen Z films
(46:24) An old school tool for a woodshed
(47:32) A new solution to landlining
(49:30) What Cal is reading
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
Get 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://www.newyorker.com/culture/open-questions/instead-of-taking-your-job-ai-might-transform-it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKGhxMi50y8
https://aprilowens.substack.com/p/the-art-we-actually-need
Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.cozyearth.com/deep (Use code “DEEP”)
https://www.calderalab.com/deep
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Was the Mythos Ban Justified? (Good Idea. Bad Execution.) | AI Reality Check
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News. Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia (0:00) Was the Mythos ban justified? (5:32) Is Fable 5 actually dangerous? (11:03) Is Fable 5 without …
Notas do episódio
Cal Newport takes a critical look at recent AI News.
Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia
(0:00) Was the Mythos ban justified?
(5:32) Is Fable 5 actually dangerous?
(11:03) Is Fable 5 without guardrails actually a unique national security concern?
(15:13) Should the government be more involved with AI?
Links:
Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
https://www.anthropic.com/glasswing
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/09/technology/anthropic-ai-claude-fable-mythos.html
https://x.com/DavidSacks/status/2065853007619588171
https://x.com/deanwball/status/2066151868556865860
https://x.com/GaryMarcus/status/2066166713453060512
https://x.com/DavidSacks/status/2065853007619588171
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/opinion/anthropic-ai-claude-mythos.html
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aqui estão os 100 episódios mais recentes de 463. Os mais antigos estão no feed do podcast.
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