Ep. 359: Should We Fear Cognitive Debt?

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

A blockbuster new study out of MIT takes a closer look at the impact of writing with the help of AI. In today’s episode, Cal breaks down this paper with the help of author Brad Stulberg (who made waves online recently with his reaction to its findings), picking apart the role of AI in deep work activities. Cal then answers listeners questions, and presents a twist on his typical final segment in which he now describes what he is not reading this week, which provides him a thinly-concealed excuse to rant about AI coverage.

Below are the questions covered in today’s episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo

Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia

Deep Dive: Should We Fear Cognitive Debt? [2:15]

Can AI be creative? [44:35]
What’s the smallest change I can make to address my disorganization? [48:31]
How do I find time for personal projects? [53:12]
How should I choose my next internship? [1:06:08]
How did you develop your goal-setting philosophy? [1:11:46]

CALL: Inbox Zero and Notion [1:14:50]

CASE STUDY: A Thoreau Schedule [1:24:01]

WHAT I’M (NOT) READ: AI CEO’s hot takes on work [1:32:49]

Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
fortune.com/2025/06/20/openai-ceo-sam-altman-ai-phds-entry-level-corporate-job-cuts-what-is-left-gen-z-college-gradautes/

Thanks to our Sponsors:

shipstation.com/deep
smalls.com (Use code “DEEP”)
notion.com/cal
harrys.com/deep

Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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A blockbuster new study out of MIT takes a closer look at the impact of writing with the help of AI. In today’s episode, Cal breaks down this paper with the help of author Brad Stulberg (who made waves online recently with his reaction to its findings), picking apart the role of AI in deep work activities. Cal then answers listeners questions, and presents a twist on his typical final segment in which he now describes what he is *not* reading this week, which provides him a thinly-concealed excuse to rant about AI coverage.

Download my FREE Deep Life Guide HERE: https://bit.ly/3QBIcug

Link to submit questions: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo

Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia

Below are the questions covered in today’s episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.

DEEP DIVE:

– Should We Fear Cognitive Debt? [2:29]

QUESTIONS:

– Can AI be creative? [2:29]
– What’s the smallest change I can make to address my disorganization? [6:25]
– How do I find time for personal projects? [11:07]
– How should I choose my next internship? [24:03]
– How did you develop your goal-setting philosophy? [29:41]

CALL:

– Inbox Zero and Notion [32:51]

CASE STUDY:

– A Thoreau Schedule [41:57]

WHAT I’M (NOT) READING:

– AI CEO’s hot takes on work [46:35]

YOUTUBE TITLE

– ChatGPT Is Making You Dumber? – Here’s Why It Might Be… | Cal Newport

LINKS:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow
Order a signed copy of “Slow Productivity” here: https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?v=448bf8afad0740d18f6b109b4bd40d51
https://fortune.com/2025/06/20/openai-ceo-sam-altman-ai-phds-entry-level-corporate-job-cuts-what-is-left-gen-z-college-gradautes/

Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.shipstation.com/deep
https://www.smalls.com (Use code “DEEP”)
https://www.notion.com/cal
https://www.harrys.com/deep