Here are the timestamps. Please check out our sponsors to support this podcast. 0:00 - Introduction & sponsor mentions: - ExpressVPN: expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free - Linode: linode.com/lex to get $100 free credit - Sun Basket: sunbasket.com/lex and use code LEX to get $35 off - SimpliSafe: simplisafe.com/lex and use code LEX to get a free security camera 2:15 - Deep work 7:00 - Focus 12:43 - Time blocking 19:38 - Deadlines 29:13 - Do less, do better, know why 31:55 - Clubhouse 45:58 - Burnout 52:25 - Boredom 1:00:10 - Quit social media for 30 days 1:10:04 - Social media 1:35:12 - How email destroyed our productivity at work 1:44:57 - How we fix email 1:51:59 - Over-optimization 1:56:14 - When to use email and when not to 2:03:57 - Podcasting 2:08:33 - Alan Turing proving the impossible 2:12:32 - Fragility of math in the face of randomness 2:21:21 - Neural networks 2:30:06 - What will the P=NP proof look like? 2:33:46 - Is math discovered or invented? 2:37:53 - Book publishing 2:47:59 - Love 2:51:21 - Death 2:54:17 - Meaning of life
Dear Lex , what advice can you give a stay at home mom of 22 years ready to re establish herself and priorities after 5 years of self healing post nervous breakdown. My mind is open but I have so many pursuits and ideas, many thanks from Texas lex , I enjoy your time and work 💜💎
Cal Newport is like the David Goggins of disciplining your focus and attention. Every time I listen to him I'm like fuck, it's time to step it up to the next level.
When I was young if I said I was bored my father's response was "people who are bored are boring people" he fostered a love of reading and for me to find the answers that I had questions for myself. Also the importance of independent study and imagination. Thanks Dad:) And thanks Lex and Cal.
@jennufer stevens.lol I recall one day my sister saying "It's a boring day" while mopping around. Similar to your Dad, mine said "Days aren't boring people are". It may sound harsh but it's true n back then anyway 1970's),parents did not feel it was their responsibility to entertain their kids 24/7 n buy them something everyday. We played with each other n numerous friends on the block with occassional family trips so I'm not even sure why she was bored that day,perhaps it was raining but my father's remark always stayed with me .
I listened to this talk with great interest. Much of the last decade, I was in prison, and was lost in the first few years. The claustrophobia of being trapped in a tunnel underground or adrift at sea far in the ocean are the only two states of mind there. Deep work was the only thing that got me through it. That was like a deep rainforest, complex and disorienting, but I was moving ahead. I didn't even know the term at that time, but I worked like a madman on mathematics, reading classics, exercising and so forth because to break the intense focus meant going back to one of the two bad mental states. Years later, I have never been able to adapt to the world of emails, hyperactive hivemind, slack, zoom, discord and social media. When I look at those, I feel depressed and deeply long to be back in the forest. I am near your age, but feel so much older. I got great joy to hear that I am not the only one who yearns to be out of these systems and deep in the focus.
Thats why prison terrifies me. I would feel so claustrophobic. So fascinating that you went deep into subjects to counteract that. What are you doing now?
I always thought, prison would be one of the greatest motivations to focus on a subject/project --- because the other option would be staring at walls and no comforts
Ya know, prison really does sound like an incredible rehabilitation experience for inmates, as it is intended to do, by simply forcing people to do all the things I can't force myself to do right now. Stop the substances (I know they still exist in prison), have a strict schedule/routine, plain living (limited tech), time to do nothing but get into the studies and physically get to your top form. If they could just cut out the part with forced gang participation, all the politics, living in fear and etc.
I'm a 66-year-old artist. This past September I deactivated all my social media, Facebook, Twitter, etc., and never looked back. My life has improved so dramatically it is astounding. I credit Dr. Cal Newport for a great deal of this improvement to my life. Not just my productivity has improved but also my mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Thank you, Dr. Newport, for giving me back my life.
I love watching lex live the dream. Consulting with and interviewing experts across interesting fields. Engaged examining of different mental models in an attempt to develop and mature his understanding and his desires for meaningful expenditures of energy makes for engaging content for others. Lex is another extraordinary work in progress that makes for exciting content. I don’t feel like I wasted my time here. I’m so grateful.
Every day I listen to podcasts or music while doing school work (undergrad). I wonder how more effective I'll be if I dont. I definitely struggle getting started and staying focused. I find school work boring most times so I use music and podcasts to stay stimulated.
“To read well, that is, to read true books in a true spirit, is a noble exercise, and one that will task the reader more than any exercise which the customs of the day esteem.” - Thoreau
Cal Newport is one of the most important people out there... really helpful thoughts and attitude towards life in post modern times. Great video, thank you very much, Lex.
"There's nothing more draining to me, intellectually, philosophically. Just my spirit... is destroyed by even a ten minute Zoom meeting. Like what are we doing here?" I feel you brother 😌
This podcast was such a delight to watch. The intellectual rigor is a sight to behold. Definitely took some lessons and a few new perspectives to deeply think about. Danko.
I feel like I have been living by that intuition, for almost everything I do and for as long as I can remember, I must weigh up whether or not my actions will have a wrongness to them or a rightness to them. And as for you Lex I must tell you that the reason I watch, listen and learn from you here is because it feels intuitively like a rightness
9:00 Deep focus is important like all the old writers. dont have distractions just do your work. focus on one task and do it good. don't get off the task/emotionally hurt. 21:00 Create deadlines to have pressure. But in order to avoid it expect the worst case you can be sick, have a bad day etc. scenario and finish shit fast. 27:43 Have a time where you mask you work. For example 9 to 5 work and than the other time is family. 30:23 Do interesting things but not too many. 31:48 By catching the wave of working you will be more motivated 54:00 Boredom makes us being productive. because we need to be productive 2:50:00 Advice from Cal newport, is knowing what you do after you get hit first in the mouth
@Arvinder Singh I agree 100%. I’ve quite all my social media besides UA-cam and I’m trying to get rid of it as well because I’ve been addicted to the stimulation. But it’s really a terrible habit that formed from the lack of intellectual stimulation/ not having an open medium to advance which led me down a huge depression and drug problem . I’ve learned a lot on UA-cam but it’s become a pathology that only feeds the hole that I have and I’m done. ( I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD but really feel like I can utilize it in a very meaningful way, because I used to have an itching motivation , and I think if I’m able to get rid of these distractions, I will have the energy to take myself very far.)
LEX! When you talk about the way you feel on Steak vs Carbs, I’m the same exact way. I’ve never heard anyone else describe the same exact feeling I have in such a similar thought process 👏
49:00 about the deep procrastination students felt: this is how I have felt having a chronic illness (Lyme) since I was 12. Yes, those people have a lot of things going on with no intrinsic motivation. But also we need to normalize listening to the body. Unfortunately this sometimes is when extremely smart young adults get into addiction. Mental health and emotional well-being is important. Thanks for bringing this up 💓
@Phillip hanna i guess you are fun at parties. That was a sarcastic comment, sorry for those who take things online too seriously. Zoom ain't fun, even the way that sentence is said in the podcast is meant to be fun, light, and witty. lol why is this comment even highlighted.
Thanks for bringing on Cal! I love his reference to Francis Collins, a devout intellectual and believer in God. Also, great plug for Neil Postman's "Amusing Ourselves to Death". Fascinating discussion throughout!
I read most of (if not all) of Cal's books. All of them are great. Digital minimalism is a life saver for people who are bound to work in a digital environment. Keep it up Lex!
I remember stumbling across Cal Newport years ago, resonating with him instantly. His Deep Work philosophy combined with Scott Youngs Ultralearning is truly lifechanging.
Cal Newports Deep Work idea saved my semester. I wasnt getting the most out of my study time and my major requires a lot of deep reflection to comprehend the fundamentals. I do two 4-hour deep work sessions but its still a battle at times finding the balance because school is only one of many areas of life. So i relate to the discussion they had about "burnout"...
I have been working on a social media idea that I think really addresses the issues discussed here. I find it super encouraging and inspiring to hear y'all talk about the things I have been thinking about and working on alone for a couple years! Thank you for this one Lex! 😍😍
That bit about Aristotle at 23:11 is so illuminating. It shows how all humans at some level come to the same realizations about their ability to contemplate different ideas, see their connections, and see the implications of those ideas to their understanding of themselves, other people, and reality as a whole. There's a seeming infinitude of possible thoughts in our minds.
I am so freaking greatful for being able to listen to these two men's advice on managing productivity! Like how amaizing is it that I don't have to know them personally to be able to listen to their ideas!
The long awaited interview my mouth literally just dropped. This is why I love your channel man. You're the exact person I aspire to be (unrelated to what I started with but whatever). Much love!
@@luigidipaolo7148 It is classic procrastination. You have a hard long task, so we are searching for easier task to complete. Cleaning your desk/room, watching productivity videos, going for a run.
When Cal talks about network effects on social media, he just blew my mind. YES! A tailor made social NETWORK is what I want, I don't want to fight for attention, I want to create things for people who want what I create. My job is to make something worth consuming. This is great, Lex, really thank you for your work.
I've started doing chess puzzles on my side monitor during Zoom/Teams meetings regularly now. Especially during the really unnecessary ones, at least I get to improve my chess tactics during useless meetings so some value is gained.
This was such a great and insightful podcast episode!💫 I completely understand how you feel about zoom meetings. I try to do my best to stay as far away from zoom meetings as possible!
I love you, Cal Newport!!! Thank you Lex so much for introducing me to this amazing person. I’ve been struggling in my motivation learning to program, and this guy and Jim Keller have been particularly inspiring to me. Also, you introduced me to Tim Dillon in such a candid, beautiful way, and now I’ve listened to like 100 hrs of him in like 2 wks. Lol. Thanks again Lex!!!
@@moomoocowsly I wouldn't put it that way. As long as you are listening to actually informative conversations you are benefiting even if you're not giving your take etc. . But I agree that you can't do that all day obviously.
@@moomoocowsly I agree. It starts getting depressing after a while to just consume and consume. It doesn't matter what you're consuming - be it junk content or intellectual, such as this talk - we need to draw a line somewhere about the quantity of content we consume and start moving from consumption to creation. It doesn't matter whether or not you have an audience. Take a break from constantly consuming stuff someone else created and create something yourself.
Oh. My. Goodness. Hearing him mention Deep Procrastination was soooo poignant for me right now. Never had it explained in this way. So helpful. Great guest and great interview, as always. Take care Lex!
Completely agree RE: fasting. Fasting is so central for me. Fasting from eating is a key to so many things - reshaping relationship with food and hunger, activating the body's deeper healing systems, energy and focus. Meditation is basically a fast from distraction.
This is a fascinating interview. Inspiring. I pray that these superbrains would realise the profound simplicity that would solve the one life question at the end of many interviews: the meaning of life. While the truth is to be known, it is not blind faith. It connects the last three discussion points so perfectly. It is not religion, it is relationship, Cal Newport. That's why we are wired for it. He is the one that wrote that original code, Lex. God is love.
It is a "Thing" I think it's interesting for the hosts ,guest and we listeners . We are learning more about bigger ideas than we are typically surrounded by in our day to day. I have learned sooo much from many podcasts like yours and others. Thank you for sharing with us all.
Cal Newport changed my life! 🙌 Deep work is the superpower for getting meaningful things done. 💪🧠 Anyone else on the #deepwork train? 🚂 Love the point about boredom driving creativity! 🤔 Makes me rethink my mindless scrolling during breaks. Time to level up my focus game! 🎯
Love all your podcasts Lex. I usually just to audio but I had to finally come to UA-cam instead of just listening to you so I could stop imagining James Franco. :P
1:44:50 Wow he is speaking what was on my mind since years! Emails and instant messaging have not only messed productivity in the workplace, but also communications between everyone. People just take as granted that they can solve issues on the fly, things like trying to set up an event or meeting, I swear I had to keep checking conversations on WhatsApp a whole day before a party! Instead of just sitting down, putting a time, a place and forgetting about it until the day arrived .
What a great guest!! I'm definitely buying his book and can't wait to read it!! I was very surprised to hear that the study of boredom sounds so fascinating. Lex, when you talked about the terror you feel when somebody says "I'll just call you on the phone." made me laugh SO hard, I too feel that terror from that short sentence. 😅
Super interesting how Cal referred to The Pale King as a meditation on boredom in the more obscure western sense, and then continued to describe how exposing one's mind to bouts of minimal stimuli is crucial for maintaining deep focus states. It seems like the mechanism he is describing would be involved in the meditation process its self, which could allude to an explanation for its beneficial influences on ones consciousness. Anyway though thank you so much for these podcasts Lex! I can't put into words how enjoyable they are : )
I look at it as my flow state being broken & that flow is very hard to pick back up if my train of thought is broken. It doesn’t matter how many notes, or clues may even be a better description, that I make to help me step back into the flow later, the fact of the matter is, that water has already gone down River & I cannot just pick up where I left off. I then have to reinvest my time on the particular project trying to make sense of the clues I left myself to get back into the original flow state & complete my task. It can be maddening!
Thank you so much for informative stuff of things because it helps even ones who don't fully understand or even know what's happening, people like me, us we and them...thank you thank you thank you. This interview is especially great, it really is.
8 minutes in and I bought the book. This is what my current employment is like. New distraction/issue every 15 minutes that someone needs me to help resolve. Doing 5 jobs half-ass and never feeling very accomplished at anything. The day is getting closer that I will work for myself. Thank you both for this podcast.
Here are the timestamps. Please check out our sponsors to support this podcast.
0:00 - Introduction & sponsor mentions:
- ExpressVPN: expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free
- Linode: linode.com/lex to get $100 free credit
- Sun Basket: sunbasket.com/lex and use code LEX to get $35 off
- SimpliSafe: simplisafe.com/lex and use code LEX to get a free security camera
2:15 - Deep work
7:00 - Focus
12:43 - Time blocking
19:38 - Deadlines
29:13 - Do less, do better, know why
31:55 - Clubhouse
45:58 - Burnout
52:25 - Boredom
1:00:10 - Quit social media for 30 days
1:10:04 - Social media
1:35:12 - How email destroyed our productivity at work
1:44:57 - How we fix email
1:51:59 - Over-optimization
1:56:14 - When to use email and when not to
2:03:57 - Podcasting
2:08:33 - Alan Turing proving the impossible
2:12:32 - Fragility of math in the face of randomness
2:21:21 - Neural networks
2:30:06 - What will the P=NP proof look like?
2:33:46 - Is math discovered or invented?
2:37:53 - Book publishing
2:47:59 - Love
2:51:21 - Death
2:54:17 - Meaning of life
Thanks, Lex! Your work is always amazing!
With love, from The UK.
Thanks Lex(:
@Christopher Smith replying to hopefully grab his attention for you! We all work together.
0000000000
Dear Lex , what advice can you give a stay at home mom of 22 years ready to re establish herself and priorities after 5 years of self healing post nervous breakdown. My mind is open but I have so many pursuits and ideas, many thanks from Texas lex , I enjoy your time and work 💜💎
Cal Newport is like the David Goggins of disciplining your focus and attention. Every time I listen to him I'm like fuck, it's time to step it up to the next level.
Yes! These dudes are awesome.
When I was young if I said I was bored my father's response was "people who are bored are boring people" he fostered a love of reading and for me to find the answers that I had questions for myself. Also the importance of independent study and imagination. Thanks Dad:) And thanks Lex and Cal.
Mine used to say to me - don’t worry son, there are plenty of work to do. 😁
Great sir
@jennufer stevens.lol I recall one day my sister saying "It's a boring day" while mopping around. Similar to your Dad, mine said "Days aren't boring people are". It may sound harsh but it's true n back then anyway 1970's),parents did not feel it was their responsibility to entertain their kids 24/7 n buy them something everyday. We played with each other n numerous friends on the block with occassional family trips so I'm not even sure why she was bored that day,perhaps it was raining but my father's remark always stayed with me .
no way Cal Newport? this podcasts smokes the rogan one
ikr...
Smokes? I see what you did there...
His book "Deep Work" was the first one I ever read intensely. A legend to me.
I listened to this talk with great interest. Much of the last decade, I was in prison, and was lost in the first few years. The claustrophobia of being trapped in a tunnel underground or adrift at sea far in the ocean are the only two states of mind there. Deep work was the only thing that got me through it. That was like a deep rainforest, complex and disorienting, but I was moving ahead. I didn't even know the term at that time, but I worked like a madman on mathematics, reading classics, exercising and so forth because to break the intense focus meant going back to one of the two bad mental states. Years later, I have never been able to adapt to the world of emails, hyperactive hivemind, slack, zoom, discord and social media. When I look at those, I feel depressed and deeply long to be back in the forest. I am near your age, but feel so much older. I got great joy to hear that I am not the only one who yearns to be out of these systems and deep in the focus.
Thats why prison terrifies me. I would feel so claustrophobic. So fascinating that you went deep into subjects to counteract that. What are you doing now?
I always thought, prison would be one of the greatest motivations to focus on a subject/project --- because the other option would be staring at walls and no comforts
Wow, really well said.
Ya know, prison really does sound like an incredible rehabilitation experience for inmates, as it is intended to do, by simply forcing people to do all the things I can't force myself to do right now. Stop the substances (I know they still exist in prison), have a strict schedule/routine, plain living (limited tech), time to do nothing but get into the studies and physically get to your top form. If they could just cut out the part with forced gang participation, all the politics, living in fear and etc.
I'm a 66-year-old artist. This past September I deactivated all my social media, Facebook, Twitter, etc., and never looked back. My life has improved so dramatically it is astounding. I credit Dr. Cal Newport for a great deal of this improvement to my life. Not just my productivity has improved but also my mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Thank you, Dr. Newport, for giving me back my life.
I'm 27, deleted facebook in 2018 and never felt better and more free in my life
I love watching lex live the dream. Consulting with and interviewing experts across interesting fields. Engaged examining of different mental models in an attempt to develop and mature his understanding and his desires for meaningful expenditures of energy makes for engaging content for others. Lex is another extraordinary work in progress that makes for exciting content. I don’t feel like I wasted my time here. I’m so grateful.
I respectfully offer my agnostic call for an AMEN!
I'm listening to this podcast while working which is exactly what he's telling us not to do...
Right !!
ikr, they're making me feel so guilty
@@luketambakis4216 Didn't stop me watching it though haha
@@NateTimeTVhahaha same here, lex keeps coming out with too many bangers
Every day I listen to podcasts or music while doing school work (undergrad). I wonder how more effective I'll be if I dont. I definitely struggle getting started and staying focused. I find school work boring most times so I use music and podcasts to stay stimulated.
1:08:00 "No one comes off a day full of Twitter celebrating humanity."
who is this imposter?
“To read well, that is, to read true books in a true spirit, is a noble exercise, and one that will task the reader more than any exercise which the customs of the day esteem.” - Thoreau
Yooooo loved his book “Deep Work”, this episode came just in time!
Digital Minimalism is a great one as well
Cal Newport is one of the most important people out there... really helpful thoughts and attitude towards life in post modern times. Great video, thank you very much, Lex.
Cal's books helped me a lot to go well through electrical engineering, I'm glad to hear this one!
Which book? Im also a EE kid Comp eng. And just finished How to be a Straight A student
Is it too much in the field sort of speak, or a layman can go throuh it as well, please?
@@oscarresendiz3014 He probably refers to his most famous book called "Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World"
"There's nothing more draining to me, intellectually, philosophically. Just my spirit... is destroyed by even a ten minute Zoom meeting. Like what are we doing here?" I feel you brother 😌
Nice one Lex, please bring on Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. His book "flow" is enlightening
i'll only believe you if you spelled his last name without searching it
@@1ronman1 Lool, of course I copied and pasted. I am no iron man .
I just thought of this. Yes, absolutely, Lex, bring Mihaly on
I heard his name in an audio book years back and I'll never forget it. I think the book was drive by Daniel h pink but not sure.
@@1ronman1 M 6cent Mi
Just reading Cal's book : " So good they can't ignore you ! "
This podcast was such a delight to watch. The intellectual rigor is a sight to behold. Definitely took some lessons and a few new perspectives to deeply think about. Danko.
I feel like I have been living by that intuition, for almost everything I do and for as long as I can remember, I must weigh up whether or not my actions will have a wrongness to them or a rightness to them. And as for you Lex I must tell you that the reason I watch, listen and learn from you here is because it feels intuitively like a rightness
“Every zoom meeting I have an existential crisis” lmaoo
Cal is one of my biggest heroes. Lotta love for you bringing us content like this Lex - my go to podcast!
Cal’s work has helped me a lot - thank you for this conversation!
This is one of your best interviews, Cal gives me hope that we will move on from our awful communication stage.
9:00
Deep focus is important like all the old writers.
dont have distractions just do your work.
focus on one task and do it good.
don't get off the task/emotionally hurt.
21:00
Create deadlines to have pressure.
But in order to avoid it expect the worst case you can be sick, have a bad day etc. scenario and finish shit fast.
27:43
Have a time where you mask you work.
For example 9 to 5 work and than the other time is family.
30:23
Do interesting things but not too many.
31:48
By catching the wave of working you will be more motivated
54:00
Boredom makes us being productive.
because we need to be productive
2:50:00
Advice from Cal newport, is knowing what you do after you get hit first in the mouth
This is the fastest Ive ever clicked on a 3hr video and cleared my schedule LOL
I was that way with Josha Bach check out Lex's interview with him... mind-blowing!
@@tuesdayskittensWow, I have never heard of Cal Newport, but that conversation with Joseph Bach was amazing and I’m excited for this podcast now!
@@tuesdayskittens Ouu okay! thank you for the suggestion, Ill check it out :D
@Arvinder Singh I agree 100%. I’ve quite all my social media besides UA-cam and I’m trying to get rid of it as well because I’ve been addicted to the stimulation. But it’s really a terrible habit that formed from the lack of intellectual stimulation/ not having an open medium to advance which led me down a huge depression and drug problem . I’ve learned a lot on UA-cam but it’s become a pathology that only feeds the hole that I have and I’m done. ( I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD but really feel like I can utilize it in a very meaningful way, because I used to have an itching motivation , and I think if I’m able to get rid of these distractions, I will have the energy to take myself very far.)
Same
I found my tribe of people who see that using first principles to ensure Flow in a process is the first thing to do! thanks for this podcast, Lex!
LEX! When you talk about the way you feel on Steak vs Carbs, I’m the same exact way. I’ve never heard anyone else describe the same exact feeling I have in such a similar thought process 👏
49:00 about the deep procrastination students felt: this is how I have felt having a chronic illness (Lyme) since I was 12. Yes, those people have a lot of things going on with no intrinsic motivation. But also we need to normalize listening to the body. Unfortunately this sometimes is when extremely smart young adults get into addiction. Mental health and emotional well-being is important. Thanks for bringing this up 💓
"Every Zoom meeting I have an existential crisis" - 16:01 Very well said. If only I could put that at all these universities.
@Phillip hanna i guess you are fun at parties. That was a sarcastic comment, sorry for those who take things online too seriously. Zoom ain't fun, even the way that sentence is said in the podcast is meant to be fun, light, and witty. lol why is this comment even highlighted.
I felt that. lol
Felt like I could breathe while listening to these discussions. Thank you.
Thanks for bringing on Cal! I love his reference to Francis Collins, a devout intellectual and believer in God. Also, great plug for Neil Postman's "Amusing Ourselves to Death". Fascinating discussion throughout!
Beginning about Deep Work & Burnout came after 10 hour coding session that ended on a good note just feel hyped to start again tom
Wtf 👆
I love Lex. I watch his videos alot. I can relate because I'm also Introverted and have social anxiety.
I read most of (if not all) of Cal's books. All of them are great. Digital minimalism is a life saver for people who are bound to work in a digital environment.
Keep it up Lex!
I remember stumbling across Cal Newport years ago, resonating with him instantly. His Deep Work philosophy combined with Scott Youngs Ultralearning is truly lifechanging.
Cal Newports Deep Work idea saved my semester. I wasnt getting the most out of my study time and my major requires a lot of deep reflection to comprehend the fundamentals. I do two 4-hour deep work sessions but its still a battle at times finding the balance because school is only one of many areas of life. So i relate to the discussion they had about "burnout"...
Got to love this phylosofical vs. practical view on this world we live in.
I have been working on a social media idea that I think really addresses the issues discussed here. I find it super encouraging and inspiring to hear y'all talk about the things I have been thinking about and working on alone for a couple years! Thank you for this one Lex! 😍😍
Read all of Cal Newport's books including Deep Work a while ago, listening this is a refresher to my memory. Thank you Lex for doing it.
That bit about Aristotle at 23:11 is so illuminating. It shows how all humans at some level come to the same realizations about their ability to contemplate different ideas, see their connections, and see the implications of those ideas to their understanding of themselves, other people, and reality as a whole. There's a seeming infinitude of possible thoughts in our minds.
I am so freaking greatful for being able to listen to these two men's advice on managing productivity! Like how amaizing is it that I don't have to know them personally to be able to listen to their ideas!
The long awaited interview my mouth literally just dropped. This is why I love your channel man. You're the exact person I aspire to be (unrelated to what I started with but whatever). Much love!
"I really should be working on my final project"
"ooh Lex uploaded and it's on productivity, better take a break and learn about being productive"
We in it together brother
Terrible choice in the short term but very rewarding In the long term, at least that’s how I justify it
@@luigidipaolo7148 It is classic procrastination. You have a hard long task, so we are searching for easier task to complete. Cleaning your desk/room, watching productivity videos, going for a run.
I procrastinate by listening to the anti-procrastination masters
When Cal talks about network effects on social media, he just blew my mind. YES! A tailor made social NETWORK is what I want, I don't want to fight for attention, I want to create things for people who want what I create. My job is to make something worth consuming.
This is great, Lex, really thank you for your work.
I've started doing chess puzzles on my side monitor during Zoom/Teams meetings regularly now. Especially during the really unnecessary ones, at least I get to improve my chess tactics during useless meetings so some value is gained.
Haha
This was such a great and insightful podcast episode!💫 I completely understand how you feel about zoom meetings. I try to do my best to stay as far away from zoom meetings as possible!
I love you, Cal Newport!!!
Thank you Lex so much for introducing me to this amazing person. I’ve been struggling in my motivation learning to program, and this guy and Jim Keller have been particularly inspiring to me. Also, you introduced me to Tim Dillon in such a candid, beautiful way, and now I’ve listened to like 100 hrs of him in like 2 wks. Lol. Thanks again Lex!!!
I think youtube killed my ability to deal with boredom.
It's a bad habit I'm struggling with too. I try to tell myself it's informative or educational, but it's usually a waste of time tbh
@@moomoocowsly I wouldn't put it that way. As long as you are listening to actually informative conversations you are benefiting even if you're not giving your take etc. . But I agree that you can't do that all day obviously.
Use freedom app and block it for certain amount of time, it helps
@@moomoocowsly Yeah, this is interesting but also really quite scary. I worry that we're just edging closer and closer to a mostly parasocial society.
@@moomoocowsly I agree. It starts getting depressing after a while to just consume and consume. It doesn't matter what you're consuming - be it junk content or intellectual, such as this talk - we need to draw a line somewhere about the quantity of content we consume and start moving from consumption to creation. It doesn't matter whether or not you have an audience. Take a break from constantly consuming stuff someone else created and create something yourself.
Oh. My. Goodness. Hearing him mention Deep Procrastination was soooo poignant for me right now. Never had it explained in this way. So helpful. Great guest and great interview, as always. Take care Lex!
As soon as I heard Cal Newport talk about .a yearly, quarterly, monthly, daily plan I immediately opened a google doc and went to work.
My favourite author Cal Newport.
Thank you for all you do. I am deeply grateful it fills my heart with love when things can be so hard. You make life wonderful.
Completely agree RE: fasting. Fasting is so central for me. Fasting from eating is a key to so many things - reshaping relationship with food and hunger, activating the body's deeper healing systems, energy and focus. Meditation is basically a fast from distraction.
brooo, didnt expect that one.
Omg, thank you! This topic touches a lot of my thoughts and feelings of the last several months.
One of your best. Masterclass in flowing conversation.
Lex you are a legend, I love your podcast and I've probably watched hundreds of hours of your content in total.
Can't wait to watch this one!
Just picked up the book. Thanks for your contribution to society, Lex; you're a serious inspiration to many of us.
Finally! I've been too self-conscious to post to the subreddit but I wanted this pod for a while.
This is a fascinating interview. Inspiring. I pray that these superbrains would realise the profound simplicity that would solve the one life question at the end of many interviews: the meaning of life. While the truth is to be known, it is not blind faith. It connects the last three discussion points so perfectly. It is not religion, it is relationship, Cal Newport. That's why we are wired for it. He is the one that wrote that original code, Lex. God is love.
We need a app called Bar to have discussions with other strangers drunk.
You should make it then.
@@158-i6z i'm stupid so I can't...
I like it
A drunk room on clubhouse maybe?
why not just go to the bar
Lex is the only person that says "a quick mention of our sponsors" and isn't lying.
Deep work is when I work while listening to the podcast! Absolute flow state
@Lex Fridman Bruh I got excited when I saw the notification that "Lex fridman" replied...... What is this BS ? Lol
Lex, another classic and brilliant interview. I’m ploughing through your back catalogue of interviews. Lots of gems in there
This is the 40th extended lex interview that I have watched and I think it might be the best (and I am very positive about the other 39).
I am becoming addicted to Lex Fridman podcast.
It is a "Thing" I think it's interesting for the hosts ,guest and we listeners . We are learning more about bigger ideas than we are typically surrounded by in our day to day. I have learned sooo much from many podcasts like yours and others. Thank you for sharing with us all.
Cal Newport changed my life! 🙌 Deep work is the superpower for getting meaningful things done. 💪🧠 Anyone else on the #deepwork train? 🚂
Love the point about boredom driving creativity! 🤔 Makes me rethink my mindless scrolling during breaks. Time to level up my focus game! 🎯
Love all your podcasts Lex. I usually just to audio but I had to finally come to UA-cam instead of just listening to you so I could stop imagining James Franco. :P
We, husband and I, love your podcasts and guests.
1:44:50 Wow he is speaking what was on my mind since years!
Emails and instant messaging have not only messed productivity in the workplace, but also communications between everyone. People just take as granted that they can solve issues on the fly, things like trying to set up an event or meeting, I swear I had to keep checking conversations on WhatsApp a whole day before a party! Instead of just sitting down, putting a time, a place and forgetting about it until the day arrived
.
This podcast was such a delight to watch.
His book deep work is awesome, highly recommend it!
@Lex Fridman You are not Lex he never says shit like this 😏
@Lex Fridman hahaha you got BUSTED by Detective Sharma. Nice try, bozo 🦧
I didn't think I'd listen to the entire 3hrs but I did, and even went back over a couple of sections. This was great. Thanks!
Lex thanks for the uploads on this conversations
Lex your AWESOME, thank you
Keith, you’re* awesome
Lex, your podcast is awesome
Fantastic podcast guest. Thanks
What a great guest!! I'm definitely buying his book and can't wait to read it!! I was very surprised to hear that the study of boredom sounds so fascinating.
Lex, when you talked about the terror you feel when somebody says "I'll just call you on the phone." made me laugh SO hard, I too feel that terror from that short sentence. 😅
Huge fan of cal Newport, Dude is incredibly smart...always a pleasure hearing him
“My spirit is destroyed by even just a 10 minute zoom meeting. “ Same!!!
Super interesting how Cal referred to The Pale King as a meditation on boredom in the more obscure western sense, and then continued to describe how exposing one's mind to bouts of minimal stimuli is crucial for maintaining deep focus states. It seems like the mechanism he is describing would be involved in the meditation process its self, which could allude to an explanation for its beneficial influences on ones consciousness. Anyway though thank you so much for these podcasts Lex! I can't put into words how enjoyable they are : )
Brilliant questions Lex! Thank you! And thanks for having cal on!!!!
I look at it as my flow state being broken & that flow is very hard to pick back up if my train of thought is broken. It doesn’t matter how many notes, or clues may even be a better description, that I make to help me step back into the flow later, the fact of the matter is, that water has already gone down River & I cannot just pick up where I left off. I then have to reinvest my time on the particular project trying to make sense of the clues I left myself to get back into the original flow state & complete my task. It can be maddening!
Thank you so much for informative stuff of things because it helps even ones who don't fully understand or even know what's happening, people like me, us we and them...thank you thank you thank you. This interview is especially great, it really is.
Oh wow, and now Cal Newport. I have to say you got amazing friends/guests. Can't wait to listen to this episode.
Did you read my mind, Lex? I really wanted you to have Cal on your Podcast. And he's here!🤟
Surprising to see Cal here can't wait to listen to this in a bit
keep it up Lex
This is the one I’ve been waiting for! 👍 Cal is an amazing role model 🙏
Watching this podcast after 30 days without Facebook.
Thanks lex.
When you get kids you understand the value of time.
Such a true statement. Kids exploded into my life 3 years ago & at first it was difficult to...not feel resentful. Time blocking saved my sanity.
Lex buddy thank you 🙏🏾 so much for the beautiful work that you do
Best guest. I am a huge fan of his works.
First Andrew, then Cal? Damn Andrew’s on a roll. And hopefully David Goggins is going to be soon too
Cal, you made my brain hurt. I had no idea what you were talking about half of the time and somehow I appreciate it.
This is perfect timing I was looking for ways to improve my productivity while working remotely full time now.
Was hooked for the entire 3 hrs. Really great stuff. Thank you
THIS IS INSANE! I was just thinking how badly I wanted you to interview Cal Newport! Crazy that you got him on so soon after I had that thought lol
8 minutes in and I bought the book. This is what my current employment is like. New distraction/issue every 15 minutes that someone needs me to help resolve. Doing 5 jobs half-ass and never feeling very accomplished at anything. The day is getting closer that I will work for myself. Thank you both for this podcast.
so how did it go?
I read his book about being a better college student. Very helpful. Sort of forgot about him after I graduated. Nice to see him here.