Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Ep. 372: Decoding TikTok’s AlgorithmLast week, it was announced that Oracle would take over operation of TikTok in the US. One of the primary reasons proposed for this deal is that it was in national interests for us to take over control of TikTok’s fabled “algorithm.” But what is this algorithm? How does it work? To what extent can it be controlled? In today’s episode, Cal looks deeper at these questions and arrives at a broader philosophical point about the role these services, in general, should play in our civic culture. He then answers listener questions on the same topic and reacts to the three recent news articles about TikTok’s influence on our culture. 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: Decoding TikTok’s Algorithm [0:03] • Should I quit social media, even if I don’t live on the slope of terribleness? [44:44] • Is it bad to use TikTok to keep up with the news? [49:41] • How does quantum computing relate to AI? [53:48] CASE STUDY: Trying to become a great composer [1:02:29] CALL: Tips for dealing with growing kids [1:08:58] CAL REACTS: Three Articles about TikTok (and Three Sighs of Exasperation) [1:18:04] 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? the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/tiktok-surfing-challenge-manslaughter-b2832760.html yahoo.com/news/world/article/why-people-on-tiktok-think-the-rapture-is-coming-and-that-the-world-is-ending-this-week-202334215.html bbc.com/news/articles/c4gj5lqq52lo youtube.com/watch?v=z7Df9yGofLo youtube.com/shorts/xWIVA0ZJm-w Thanks to our Sponsors: monarchmoney.com (Use code “DEEP”) reclaim.ai/cal wayfair.com makeheadway.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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Ep. 368: I Want Work-Life Balance. Am I Doomed to Mediocrity?A 22-year-old made a splash recently when he published a Wall Street Journal op-ed claiming that work-life balance makes you mediocre. He went on to brag about how sleeping less than 4 hours a night and gaining 80 pounds helped him become a millionaire. In this episode, Cal wades into the furious debate this article sparked. He argues that once you look past the author’s dorm bro bravado, the kid does actually ask a good question. It’s just that his answers are lacking. Cal then tackles listener questions and reviews the books he read in August. 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: I Want Work-Life Balance. Am I Doomed to Mediocrity? [1:06] Is it possible to stay focused when having to check my phone for text messages? [42:20] When did you switch back to your teaching schedule to your summer schedule? [44:05] How has your deep life evolved since Episode 1? [49:22] How can I stop obsessively checking my work email? [53:47] Can you summarize how values and strategic planning documents, birthday projects and lifestyle centric planning combine? [58:14] CASE STUDY: Organizing household admin [1:01:44] CALL: How to tame Trello cards [1:06:39] AUGUST BOOKS: The 5 books Cal read in August 2025 [1:13:26] Boundless Realm (Foxx Note) Collisions (Alec Nevala-Lee) Before the Birds Sang Words (Ken Bruce) Desperation Reef (T Jefferson Parker) Shift (Hugh Howey) 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? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX1XHMlX1J0 Thanks to our Sponsors: ridge.com (use code “Cal”) drinklmnt.com/deep shopify.com/deep calderalab.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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