Ep. 389: Is the Internet Hijacking Ambition? + Escaping Messaging Hell

It’s natural to feel ambition, as we’re wired to find great satisfaction in accomplishing hard goals. But what impact has the internet had on this instinct? To help explore this question, author Brad Stulberg, author of the new book THE WAY OF EXCELLENCE, joins Cal during the ideas segment to explore ways in which the internet hijacks our drive, and what we can do about it. Then, in the practice segment, Cal provides the 2026 of his evolving advice for escaping email and IM overload in your job.

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

IDEAS SEGMENT: Is the internet hijacking ambition? [4:16]

PRACTICES SEGMENT: Escaping messaging hell [1:03:06]

QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS:

• Have new AI tools actually been as transformative as claimed? [1:23:49]

CAL RESPONDS TO COMMENTS [1:38:15]

WHAT CAL’S READING: Cal gives his weekly reading update [1:44:52]

Future Boy (Michael J. Fox) The Unauthorized Story of Disney’s Haunted Mansion (Jeff Baham)

Links: Get The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0063385945/ref=sw_img_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

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? podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/old-school-with-shilo-brooks/id1841566275 instagram.com/p/DFh_mNGSvuZ/?img_index=2 microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/breaking-down-infinite-workday reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1o2g1xq/with_all_the_billions_trillions_going_into_it/ calnewport.com/a-world-without-email/

Thanks to our Sponsors:

mybodytutor.com monarch.com (Use code “DEEP”) pipedrive.com/deep meetfabric.com/deep

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

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