20 min listen
400: How to Reclaim Conversation, with Cal Newport
400: How to Reclaim Conversation, with Cal Newport
ratings:
Length:
35 minutes
Released:
Mar 18, 2019
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
Cal Newport: Digital Minimalism
Cal Newport is a computer science professor at Georgetown University who studies the theory of distributed systems. In addition to his academic work, he writes about the intersection of technology and culture. He’s the author of six books including Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World and Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World.
Key Points
The human brain is very sophisticated in how it navigates social dynamics using voice and visual cues. Digital interactions bypass the brain’s ability to see these cues.
Social media interactions might make you think you’re being social, but you can still lonely because your brain doesn’t count these interactions the same as person-to-person interactions.
Digital interactions are not bad, but they can crowd out more important real-world interactions.
Make sure tech is serving the things that are important in your life, rather than just using it as an escape from your life.
Small steps tend not to work when transitioning to digital minimalism. A better way is to take a 30-day break from consuming digital content and then rebuild your digital life from scratch.
Resources Mentioned
Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World* by Cal Newport
Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age* by Sherry Turkle
Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other* by Sherry Turkle
Book Notes
Download my highlights from Digital Minimalism in PDF format (free membership required).
Related Episodes
How to Make Deep Work Happen, with Cal Newport
The Power of Solitude, with Mike Erwin
Have Conversations That Matter, with Celeste Headlee
How to Create Meaningful Gatherings, with Priya Parker
Discover More
Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.
Cal Newport is a computer science professor at Georgetown University who studies the theory of distributed systems. In addition to his academic work, he writes about the intersection of technology and culture. He’s the author of six books including Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World and Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World.
Key Points
The human brain is very sophisticated in how it navigates social dynamics using voice and visual cues. Digital interactions bypass the brain’s ability to see these cues.
Social media interactions might make you think you’re being social, but you can still lonely because your brain doesn’t count these interactions the same as person-to-person interactions.
Digital interactions are not bad, but they can crowd out more important real-world interactions.
Make sure tech is serving the things that are important in your life, rather than just using it as an escape from your life.
Small steps tend not to work when transitioning to digital minimalism. A better way is to take a 30-day break from consuming digital content and then rebuild your digital life from scratch.
Resources Mentioned
Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World* by Cal Newport
Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age* by Sherry Turkle
Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other* by Sherry Turkle
Book Notes
Download my highlights from Digital Minimalism in PDF format (free membership required).
Related Episodes
How to Make Deep Work Happen, with Cal Newport
The Power of Solitude, with Mike Erwin
Have Conversations That Matter, with Celeste Headlee
How to Create Meaningful Gatherings, with Priya Parker
Discover More
Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.
Released:
Mar 18, 2019
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
45: How Leaders and Followers Take in Information: Everyone takes in information differently. Our personalities influence what we see and don't see. In this episode, I explore the two dichotomies that help explain how people take in information. Then, I discuss strategies leaders can use with folks who... by Coaching for Leaders