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IN-DEPTH: Focus like a Nobel Prize Winner (w/ Brian Keating)

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IN-DEPTH: Focus like a Nobel Prize Winner (w/ Brian Keating)

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Sep 25
Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Sep 25
OverviewShownoteHighlightsTranscriptChaptersPins

Shownote

In this episode of IN-DEPTH, Cal is joined by Dr. Brian Keating, the Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor of Physics at UCSD, and one of the most prolific popularizers of science around (you may have seen him recently chatting about cosmology with Joe Roga...

Highlights

In this conversation, Cal Newport sits down with physicist Brian Keating to explore the mindset, habits, and structural challenges behind high-level scientific achievement. Far from a conventional academic success story, Keating’s path reveals the hidden pressures of modern science and the personal strategies that enable breakthrough thinking.
09:50
Even Nobel-caliber scientists struggle with imposter syndrome.
31:12
Donna Strickland declined a book blurb to focus on deep work and science education
41:05
Good scientists need both humility and chutzpah.
50:00
There should be more focus on teaching ethics to scientists.
57:21
A weekly sabbatical renews the mind and sustains academic creativity
59:50
A deep life is a rare and valuable human commodity.

Chapters

How a late start led to a life in physics
00:00
What tenure really means—and what it frees you to do
16:46
Why focusing deeply beats spreading yourself thin in science
23:54
The surprising mental habits of Nobel Prize winners
38:45
From math proofs to public ideas: Cal’s shift in focus
47:37
Balancing big theories, ethics, and weekly rest
54:32
Creating space for thought in a noisy world
59:50

Transcript

Cal Newport: I'm Cal Newport, and this is In-Depth, a semi-regular series in which I talk to interesting people about the quest to cultivate a deep life. Today's episode is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, DoneDaily. I'm a huge fan of this product...