Ep. 355: Quit Social Media (For Real This Time)

A common complaint about social media skepticism is that we’re falling into a classic moral panic. We’ve been concerned about many past mass media technologies, and ultimately came to realize that they’re not so bad. So why would we expect anything different about social media? In this episode, Cal tackles this complaint, drawing on an unexpected analogy to find clarity. He then answers listener questions and discusses the books he read in May, but not before first confronting a truly bizarre (or, perhaps, brilliant) piece of art work created by a fan of the show.

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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: Quit Social Media [6:18]

- How can I become a better, more analytical thinker? [23:04] - How can I stay motivated, productive, and balanced while working mostly alone during my first remote internship? [28:56] - How much time should I dedicate to developing secondary skills? [30:10] - How does TikTok seem to know so much about me? [32:09] - What are the best workflow strategies when using AI agents? [43:45]

CASE STUDY: A simple, analog approach to productivity [49:31]

CALL: Too focused on metrics [53:15]

MAY BOOKS: The 5 Books Cal Read in May 2025 [1:03:19]

May Books:

• Building: A Carpenter’s Notes on Life & the Art of Good Work (Mark Ellison) • Thoreau’s Axe (Caleb Smith) • 9 Innings (Daniel Okrent) • Let Them (Mel Robbins) • Against the Machine (Paul Kingsnorth)

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? amazon.com/Four-Days-Week-Life-Changing-Well-Being/dp/0063382431/r calnewport.com/on-ultra-processed-content/ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cal-newport-5-28-19/id814550071?i=1000647135862 rehearsal.so/blog/how_to_stay_in_flow_while_using_cursor_or_windsurf

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