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Ep. 374: This is Your Brain on Phones

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Ep. 374: This is Your Brain on Phones

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Oct 13
Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Oct 13
OverviewShownoteHighlightsTranscriptChaptersPins

Shownote

It’s hard to cultivate a deep life when you cannot go more than a few minutes without checking your phone. In this episode, Cal looks closer at the precise neural mechanisms at play that make the physical act of looking at your phone irresistible. Then arm...

Highlights

In this episode, Cal Newport delves into the neurological underpinnings of our compulsive phone use, explaining why simply trying to resist the urge often fails. He examines how our brains are hijacked by the unpredictable rewards delivered through smartphones and explores effective, science-backed strategies to regain control over attention and focus.
16:19
Machine learning algorithms on phones generate artificial, casino-like rewards that hijack the brain's motivation system
54:30
Giving an 11-year-old a smartphone exposes them to porn, bullies, hackers, and self-harm risks.
58:18
Technology distorts natural urges—real achievements outweigh digital rewards
1:01:42
Avoid massively online player games like avoiding dangerous substances
1:13:51
Parents can reverse decisions about giving kids phones and set effective boundaries.
1:20:55
Treat Instagram management like a boring administrative task to avoid addiction
1:30:37
Sarah Hurwitz's book confronts the futility of Jewish assimilation and reclaims cultural identity

Chapters

Deep Dive: This is your brain on phones
00:00
My 11 year-old is bullied for not having a smartphone. What should I do?
47:00
How can I overcome my irrational urge to show off on social media?
55:39
How is video game addiction different than phone addiction?
59:12
Can I become addicted to  messaging?
1:03:23
Is it ok to use newspaper apps on my phone?
1:06:42
CASE STUDY: A 5th grader drops her Apple Watch
1:13:51
CALL: An aspiring photographer and Instagram
1:18:11
SEPTEMBER BOOKS: The 5 Books Cal in September, 2025
1:22:51

Transcript

Cal Newport: I've been talking recently about the idea that making your life deeper will make your devices less appealing. And this is true, but it's not always enough. For some people, the constant allure of their phone is so strong, it's so inescapable, ...