DeepSummary
In this episode, Tim Ferriss interviews Cal Newport, a professor of computer science and author, about his new book 'Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout'. They discuss the concept of 'techno-selectionism', where one proactively decides which technologies to adopt or reject based on their alignment with personal values and goals. Newport advocates for embracing 'slow productivity', focusing on quality over quantity, doing fewer things at a natural pace, and obsessing over the craft rather than chasing metrics or trends.
They explore examples of individuals who exemplify slow productivity, such as authors, directors, and artists who take their time to produce remarkable work. Newport argues that the modern obsession with busyness and pseudo-productivity fueled by digital tools and algorithms is counterproductive, leading to burnout and mediocre output. He suggests practical strategies like office hours, quota systems, and sender filters to regain control over one's workload and attention.
The conversation delves into the pitfalls of algorithmic attention economies like YouTube and the importance of cultivating taste and discernment when choosing projects. Newport emphasizes the value of craft, focusing on producing meaningful work, and being wary of the internet's ability to distract and undermine deep efforts. Overall, the episode presents a compelling case for embracing a more intentional, slower approach to productivity that prioritizes quality over frantic busyness.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Embrace 'slow productivity' by focusing on quality over quantity, being highly selective about adopting new technologies, and working at a natural, sustainable pace.
- Obsess over developing true mastery and 'craft' in your field rather than chasing shallow metrics, trends, or busyness.
- Be wary of social media, algorithms, and digital tools that can distract from deep work and pull you into unhealthy cycles of frantic activity and mediocre output.
- Implement practical tactics like office hours, quotas, and sender filters to regain control over your time and attention.
- Learn to cultivate taste and discernment in choosing which projects and efforts to dedicate yourself to.
- Recognize that remarkable creative works have historically been produced through patience and dedication to craft rather than frantic hustle.
- Develop a philosophical framework that aligns your productivity approach with your core values and rejects shallow definitions of 'busyness'.
- View internet and social media engagement with caution, as these can be 'crazy-making' distractions from meaningful work if not carefully bounded.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I think the interesting thing. So when you go back and study people producing things of real value using their brain, they were smart and they were dedicated, and they worked really hard, but they didn't hustle, and they didn't work ten hour days, day after day. They didn't work all out year round. They didn't push, push, push until this thing was done.“ by Cal Newport
- “Ignore the Internet. It's a crazy making machine. It's just a crazy making machine. Don't require random people on social media to be a regular part of your life. Don't require metrics you have to look at on a day to day basis of being important.“ by Cal Newport
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Episode Information
The Tim Ferriss Show
Tim Ferriss: Bestselling Author, Human Guinea Pig
2/20/24
Cal Newport is a professor of computer science at Georgetown University, where he is also a founding member of the Center for Digital Ethics. His books have sold millions of copies and been translated into over forty languages. He is also a contributor to The New Yorker and hosts the popular Deep Questions podcast. His new book is Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout.
Please enjoy!
Timestamps for this episode are available below.
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Timestamps:
[06:14] Unforced Errors: The Internet Story.
[09:41] Techno-selectionism.
[18:06] Why YouTube and podcasts aren’t ideal bedfellows.
[23:03] Amish technology and Steve Martin.
[28:07] What prompted Cal to write Slow Productivity?
[31:35] Becoming a better writer through blogging.
[36:54] The benefits of obsessing over quality.
[40:54] How did Cal decide to identify himself as a writer?
[52:02] People who exemplify slow productivity.
[58:45] Trade-offs on the path to 21st-century slow productivity.
[1:03:16] Push systems vs. pull systems.
[1:04:34] Quota systems.
[1:06:08] Why slow productivity isn’t a zero-sum game.
[1:09:33] Language that clarifies.
[1:13:17] Sender filters.
[1:16:20] What people might miss about Slow Productivity‘s message.
[1:21:24] How Cal defines productivity.
[1:25:36] Derek Sivers and money as a neutral indicator of value.
[1:28:34] Contemporary slow productivity champions.
[1:33:18] Asynchronous vs. real-time conversations.
[1:35:51] Making group scheduling less hellish.
[1:40:13] Cal’s problem with Frederick Winslow Taylor.
[1:42:01] How The New Yorker maintains its old-timey charm where other publications fail.
[1:49:05] Cal’s dream publications.
[1:51:07] Mental models for cultivating a slow productivity mindset.
[1:56:27] The consequences of playing the algorithm game.
[2:03:14] The renewed viability of newsletters.
[2:08:03] Parting thoughts.
*
Resources from this episode:Â https://tim.blog/2024/02/13/william-ury/
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Past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, Margaret Atwood, Mark Zuckerberg, Peter Thiel, Dr. Gabor Maté, Anne Lamott, Sarah Silverman, Dr. Andrew Huberman, and many more.
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