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Ep. 376: The Lincoln Protocol

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Ep. 376: The Lincoln Protocol

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Oct 27
Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Oct 27
OverviewShownoteHighlightsTranscriptChaptersPins

Shownote

How do you escape a world where constant digital distractions and darkness threatens to pull you down? Maybe take a page out of Abraham Lincoln’s life. In this episode, Cal argues that Lincoln faced analog versions of many of the same issues we face in our...

Highlights

In a world saturated with digital noise and constant interruptions, maintaining focus and purpose can feel like an uphill battle. This episode explores how historical figures, particularly Abraham Lincoln, navigated their own versions of distraction and built meaningful, impactful lives through disciplined habits rather than sheer genius. By examining Lincoln’s approach to self-improvement and attention, the discussion offers a timeless framework for reclaiming focus in the modern age.
27:58
Purposeful reading reconfigures the brain to resist distraction
41:44
Count long-form articles as 'virtual books' to maintain reading consistency
46:25
Developing a deep understanding of a topic can change one's view of the world and open new opportunities
57:15
The key to resisting digital distraction is building a life compelling enough that low-stimulus moments no longer drive you to your phone.
1:00:04
It's okay for dads to find toddlers boring, but they should still engage meaningfully.
1:06:18
Focused work generates greater rewards than digital distractions
1:10:10
Technology should have a clear, compelling use case instead of users figuring it out.

Chapters

Deep Dive: The Lincoln Protocol
Deep Dive: The Lincoln Protocol
00:00
When do you read long-form articles amongst your book reading?
41:39
Will reading improve my focus?
44:03
What are the mechanics of keeping a deep reading habit alive?
48:17
At what point does it make sense to prioritize autonomy and alignment over prestige and security?
54:48
How do you suggest spending the time playing with the toddler, while also balancing reasonable stimuli without a phone?
1:00:01
CASE STUDY: A military spouse goes back to work after motherhood
1:03:47
CALL: Cal’s thoughts on Apple Watches
1:07:35
CAL READS THE COMMENTS: What people thought about digital distraction in 2008
1:12:06

Transcript

Cal Newport: Back in 2008, in the early days of my writing career, when I had just published two books and my newsletter was still new, I published an essay with an anachronistic title. It was called, Would Lincoln Still Be President If He Had Email? I act...