Deep Questions #250
This is an AI-generated podcast summary for The Deep Questions podcast

In Defense of Thinking

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Short Summary 🏎️

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In the latest episode of the Deep Questions podcast, host Cal Newport discusses the importance of thinking and why it is becoming a vanishing art.

He argues that the value of thinking is decreasing in our society due to the knowledge sector and technology, and suggests ways to prioritize thinking.

Newport also discusses the concept of a "second brain" and its role in thinking, and recommends automating breakfast and lunch with healthy options to save decision-making energy.

Finally, he recommends four books he read in April and promotes his email newsletter.

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Key Learnings 🎯

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• Thinking is the uniquely human activity of synthesizing and structuring existing information to create new information that is useful to understanding or acting in the world.

• The value of thinking is decreasing in our society due to the knowledge sector and technology.

• Arnold Bennett's advice from 1910 suggests that the first business of the day should be to put the mind through its paces by concentrating on a subject and bringing the mind back to it repeatedly.

• Technology should be seen as an appendix that connects to the primary sources of thought within our primary brain.

• Watching good movies and shows can be a form of training for the mind, similar to reading a good novel.

• The remarkable tablet and Kindle scribe are digital tools for organizing and retrieving specific details.

• Automating breakfast and lunch with healthy options can save decision-making energy for dinner.

• Cal Newport read four books in April, including "The Transcendent Brain" by Alan Lightman, "Finding the Mother Tree" by Suzanne Samard, and "The Match" by Mark Frost.

• Humans should be seen as the custodians of computation as opposed to sinners of original cognition.

• Individuals should reclaim thinking as a signal of their humanity and re-teach their brains how to think well.

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If you have 5 more minutes 🏖️

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In the latest episode of the Deep Questions podcast, host Cal Newport discusses the importance of thinking and why it is becoming a vanishing art. He defines thinking as the uniquely human activity of synthesizing and structuring existing information to create new information that is useful to understanding or acting in the world. Newport argues that thinking is the core driver of human culture and civilization, and that it is deeply satisfying for human beings in a way that other activities cannot replicate. He believes that the value of thinking is decreasing in our society, in part because we think about it less and isolate it less as a standalone activity.

Newport points to the impact of the knowledge sector and technology on the world of work as a reason for this trend. He argues that the knowledge sector is uncomfortable with the idea of thinking as a standalone pursuit, and that technology is making it easier for people to avoid thinking by providing constant distractions. Newport references Arnold Bennett's advice from 1910, which suggests that the first business of the day should be to put the mind through its paces by concentrating on a subject and bringing the mind back to it repeatedly. He suggests ways to prioritize thinking, such as avoiding cheap digital distractions, reading hard books, and simplifying one's life to create space for open thought.

Newport also mentions the importance of high-quality leisure that pushes the mind to contemplate beauty and art. He believes that thinking is a core aspect of the human condition and should be taken more seriously, despite economic pressures that encourage people to ignore it. He also discusses the concept of a "second brain" and its role in thinking. While some people use digital systems to capture and organize information, Newport argues that serious thinkers focus on saturating their primary brain with information and taking the time to work with it in their minds. By doing so, they make their primary brain smarter and more capable of producing original insights. Newport acknowledges the usefulness of digital tools for organizing and retrieving specific details, but believes that they should be seen as an appendix that connects to the primary sources of thought within our primary brain.

Newport also answers listener questions, including whether watching movies and shows can be a part of a deep life and what to do after maxing out on four hours of deep work in a day. He argues that watching good movies and shows can be a form of training for the mind, similar to reading a good novel, as it requires concentration and critical thinking. As for what to do after maxing out on deep work, Newport suggests turning to shallow activities, but also notes that Arnold Bennett argues that the brain is capable of more than we think and can handle deeper activities for longer periods of time. Newport also discusses his interest in digital notebooks and the brand Remarkable. He is drawn to the marketing of the remarkable tablet and is tempted to try it out, but he is put off by the high price of $280 and the additional subscription cost of $3 per month.

Overall, Newport sees the potential of technology like the remarkable tablet for capturing and organizing information, but he is not yet convinced that it is worth the investment. Finally, Newport recommends automating breakfast and lunch with healthy options, such as Huel Black Edition meal replacement shakes, to save decision-making energy for dinner. He also promotes My Body Tutor, an online coaching program that provides daily accountability and expert support for fitness and nutrition goals.

Newport also briefly discusses the books he read in April, though he admits to losing his list and only being able to remember four out of five titles. Newport urges listeners to preserve the art of thinking and cultivate it in their own lives. He believes that humans should be seen as the custodians of computation as opposed to sinners of original cognition. He suggests that individuals should reclaim thinking as a signal of their humanity, something that they are proud of, that they want to get better at, and that they want to put at the center of their lives. He believes that individuals should re-teach their brains how to think well and reclaim it in their own lives.

Overall, the episode provides insights into effective note-taking, the evolution of the internet, and practical tips for improving one's physical health and well-being. Cal discusses four books he read in April. The first book is "The Transcendent Brain" by Alan Lightman, which attempts to give a materialist explanation for spirituality while maintaining a scientific materialist view. The second book is "Finding the Mother Tree" by Suzanne Samard, which is a memoir/science book about the author's work on discovering that trees are connected to each other underground through networks of fungus. The third book is "The Match" by Mark Frost, which is about a famous golf match in 1956. The fourth book is not remembered, but Newport jokes that it could be something impressive like "Gravity's Rainbow" or "War and Peace" Newport also promotes his email newsletter, which sends out essays about living deeply each week.

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Some thought-provoking questions 🤔

 

1. What is the concept of the "second brain"?

The concept of the "second brain" refers to the idea that the primary brain should be the main source of new ideas and creative thought, and that the use of digital systems should be limited to capturing and organizing information to support thinking. This concept implies that humans should be thoughtful and engaged when it comes to their thinking and work, and that digital tools should be seen as an appendix rather than a replacement for thinking.

2. What is the "real work" according to Adam Gopnik?

Adam Gopnik's book "The Real Work" explores the concept of mastery and the process of becoming an expert in a particular field. Gopnik argues that mastery is an active process of continual learning and practice, and that it requires a deep knowledge and understanding of the subject. He also suggests that mastery is an internal journey of growth and personal understanding, which requires humility and a willingness to learn from mistakes.

3. What is the value of high-quality leisure activities?

High-quality leisure activities, such as reading good books, watching movies and shows with concentration, and contemplating beauty and art can be beneficial for improving one's thinking and concentration. Such activities require focus and critical thinking, and can help train the mind to think deeply. Additionally, such activities can be a form of relaxation and help people to disconnect from their daily lives.

4. What is the benefit of automating breakfast and lunch?

The benefit of automating breakfast and lunch is that it can save decision-making energy for dinner, which is typically the main meal of the day. By automating breakfast and lunch with healthy options, such as Huel Black Edition meal replacement shakes, people can save time and energy that can be used for other tasks and activities. Additionally, automating breakfast and lunch can help people stay on track with their nutrition goals