logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2023
1h 12m

Ep. 255: The Failure of Cybernetic Produ...

CAL NEWPORT
About this episode

Over the past twenty years, “productivity” has come to be synonymous with using digital tools to speed up non-essential parts of knowledge work. As cal argues in this episode, this “cybernetic” approach has proven to be a complete failure. He explores why speeding up isn’t working and what this teaches us about what we need to do instead. 

 

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 

 

Today’s Deep Question: Why doesn’t cybernetic productivity work? [8:40] 

 

- What should I ask a potential hire about their time management habits? [31:55] 

- How do I teach leaders how to work more deeply? [38:17] 

- How did Cal become good at breaking things down into systems and processes? [48:06] 

- How do I build task boards if I have many roles? [51:05] 

- How do I find time to think in my busy job? [54:20] 

 

Something Interesting: Taylor Sheridan’s “writing bunker” [1:02:48] 

 

Links: 

 

hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/taylor-sheridan-yellowstone-interview-1235519261/ 

 

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

 

shopify.com/deep 

grammarly.com/go 

expressvpn.com/deep 

blinkist.com/deep 

 

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Up next
Jun 30
Ep. 359: Should We Fear Cognitive Debt?
A blockbuster new study out of MIT takes a closer look at the impact of writing with the help of AI. In today’s episode, Cal breaks down this paper with the help of author Brad Stulberg (who made waves online recently with his reaction to its findings), picking apart the role of ... Show More
1h 48m
Jun 23
Ep. 358: Are Parents (Finally) Ready to Fight Smartphones?
Back in 2023, Cal gave a detailed deep dive that described the three phases of scientific understanding of smartphones, social media, and kids. In today’s episode, Cal argues that we’ve entered a fourth phase; one that will finally lead to (perhaps rapid) cultural changes about w ... Show More
1h 2m
Jun 16
Ep. 357: What Worries the Internet’s Favorite Philosopher?
Few philosophers in recent memory have enjoyed as much attention as Byung-Chul Han. His mix of profundity and pithiness in tackling some of the big issues of the modern technical environment has made him “the internet’s new favorite philosopher” (to quote The New Yorker). But is ... Show More
1h 12m
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2023
673: Getting Hired, Interviewing, and Why Recruiters Suck with Taylor Desseyn
In this supper club episode of Syntax, Wes and Scott talk with Taylor Desseyn about his work as a job recruiter, how hiring has changed over the last few years, what soft and tech skills developers need, what not to do when applying, and how AI is affecting the hiring process. Sh ... Show More
56m 19s
Apr 2024
754: How to Level Up Your Web Development Career
Ready to level up your career in web development? Join Wes and Scott as they discuss techniques and best practices for advancing in the field. From mastering technical skills to navigating workplace dynamics, this episode offers actionable advice to help you thrive in your career ... Show More
57m 17s
Jan 2023
Leveraging mentors to uplevel your career | Jules Walter (YouTube, Slack)
Jules Walter is a product leader at YouTube and co-founder of both the Black Product Managers Network and Codepath.org. Previously, he led monetization and mobile growth teams at Slack. He’s also a very well-known leader in the broader product community. In today’s episode, we di ... Show More
1h 10m
Jun 2024
Episode 196 - Breaking the typecast: Growing beyond frontend and backend labels
In this episode of Front End Happy Hour, we dive into the topic of being typecast as a frontend or backend engineer. Is it really a bad thing? Our panel discusses the implications of these labels, how they can limit growth, and share strategies to break free from these constraint ... Show More
51m 16s
Jul 2021
078: There and Back (and Forward) Again with Bob Baxley
Bob Baxley, a Silicon Valley pioneer, takes us back in time through the history of Silicon Valley and gives us a glimpse into the future of it. Spoiler alert: He's got concerns. He reveals how every little interaction matters and motivates us to be proud enough of the work we do ... Show More
2h 13m
Feb 2024
Tech Workers Are Stressed Out
tech companies seemed immune to large-scale layoffs, and as their profits skyrocketed, those cushy jobs became highly sought-after. But economic headwinds, and the looming influence of AI, are leading to some tumultuous changes in the tech industry.In just the first seven weeks o ... Show More
31m 38s
Mar 2023
Supper Club × The Role Of UX Designers In Humanizing The Future with Travis Neilson
In this supper club episode of Syntax, Wes and Scott talk with Travis Neilson about his work at Google, YouTube music, and where AI is at now, and where it’s headed in the future. Show Notes 00:37 Welcome 00:55 Guest introduction Travis Neilson (@travisneilson) Travis Neilson dot ... Show More
59m 23s
Dec 2023
Leveling up technology
Join hosts Walt Cooley and Matti McBride as they dive into Cooley’s recent presentation “Level-Up” given at the Amelicor Herd and Feed Management Conference in this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast. Learn how to level up technology on your operation, champion an employee ... Show More
32m 25s
May 2024
AI vs Human: The Future of Job Interviews with Taylor Desseyn
Join hosts RobbieTheWagner and Charles William Carpenter VIII on Whiskey Web and Whatnot as they welcome back Taylor Desseyn for another round of whiskey and engaging conversation. Dive into discussions on the relevance of AI in hiring, the shift between remote and in-office work ... Show More
59m 54s
Jan 2023
Entrepreneurship, Career Growth and Testing: Top 5 Episodes of 2022
This episode samples:Alvaro Trigo, who once was a web developer but could quit his day job to work on his open source software Fullpage.js.Daniel Vassallo tells us why he left his cushy job at Amazon to start many small businesses.Dagna Bieda explains how you can fast-track your ... Show More
57m 51s