Ep. 340: Productivity Rain Dances

Sometimes the quest for productivity can seem like the embrace of activity for the sake of activity, a prospect that inevitably leads to exhaustion. In today’s episode, Cal explores this idea by discussing “productivity rain dances,” why they’re dangerous, and what works better instead. He then answers listener questions and ends with a Tech Corner segment in which he fact checks Joe Rogan’s understanding of ChatGPT.

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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

Deep Dive: Productivity Rain Dances [7:04]

- How should I take notes during a meeting? [26:31]

- How could a layman (not a computer scientist) test the veracity of the claims of an AI system or its potential? [28:53]

- How can I utilize my full-days in my cube with cancelled telework to best make progress on my phantom “part-time” job? [33:37]

- Can I be a CS instructor with a PhD? [37:45]

- Can I convince my advisor to “do fewer experiments” for my doctoral thesis? [42:47]

- CALL: College in the modern digital environment [48:28]

CASE STUDY: Managing multiple email inboxes [54:22]

TECH CORNER: Does ChatGPT have “survival instincts”? [1:05:17]

Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow

Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/

Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?

x.com/firelog_io/status/1887541363287138445

x.com/ChrisWillx/status/1800198794107064646?lang=en

youtube.com/watch?v=HigVe4IqsBM

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This episode is sponsored by to you BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/deepquestions and get on your way to being your best self.

shopify.com/deep

upliftdesk.com/deep

mybodytutor.com

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