IQ scores had been steadily rising since WWII. But, more recently, this phenomenon has stopped. Since 2010, we’ve actually been getting dumber. In this episode, Cal gets into the common theories for why this is true before offering his own take, which leads to some practical takeaways to help you thrive in an increasingly stupider world. He then answers listener questions and talks about something he read recently.
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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:
– I Want Work-Life Balance. Am I Doomed to Mediocrity? [0:40]
QUESTIONS:
– How can a west coast executive schedule deep work despite constant meetings with east coast colleagues? [37:14]
– Is it bad that I fill all of my quiet moments with media? [41:05[
– How can I regain my focus for personal projects? [46:25]
– How should a software engineer transition to consulting? [53:05]
– How should a former lawyer update her systems now that she’s a professor? [56:45]
CASE STUDY:
– A songwriter works deep and slow [1:06:49]
CALL:
– Getting out of the weeds [1:14:10]
WHAT I’M READING:
– Who is still against school cell phone bans? [1:23:28]
YOUTUBE TITLE
– We’re Getting Dumber…But Not for the Reason You Think | 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?
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160289623000156
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4jW8MOxIKY
https://www.rebeccaschiffman.com/beachvacationrebeccaschiffman.bandcamp.com
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/21/nyregion/school-cell-phone-ban-nyc.html
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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for episode music, and Mark Miles for mastering.
