Human Brains Need Information Boundaries

Remember how much we loved our iPhones when they first came out? Can we get back to that relationship with these devices? In this episode, Cal explores five pieces of advice for transforming your current phone back to something that’s less distracting, more useful, and fun once again – a goal he calls “2007 mode.”

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: Can I learn to love my phone again? [3:31]

INBOX: 

• A new study on brain fry [30:29]
• Use of phones in The Pitt [38:58]
• 17th Century scholar dealing with overload [42:05]

WHAT CAL IS UP TO:

• What I’m trying [43:57]
• What Cal read [48:45]
• What Cal watched [49:44]

Movies:

Secret Agent

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?
youtube.com/watch?v=x7qPAY9JqE4
youtube.com/watch?v=mJ4lsi2RtaI
youtube.com/watch?v=ENUO7dbZ-TY
youtube.com/watch?v=7jVb1lLniEw
youtube.com/watch?v=aC0JKAN5xVI
hbr.org/2026/03/when-using-ai-leads-to-brain-fry
instagram.com/reel/DUxCG_BDvWX/?igsh=a3pyZXNlNTZvdDVp

Thanks to our Sponsors: 

butcherbox.com/deep
vanta.com/deepquestions
1password.com/deep
shopify.com/deep

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

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