Last month, Derek Thompson published an intriguing essay that made waves in technology criticism circles. It was titled: “Everything is Television.” In today’s episode, Cal takes a closer look at this essay, unpacking and expanding Thompson’s arguments, and ultimately concluding with a series of predictions about what to expect next from the internet. He then answers listener questions and discusses the five books he read in November, 2025.
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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:
– Is the Internet Becoming Television [0:30]
QUESTIONS:
– Can AI *reduce* distractions for developers? [38:33]
– How do I timeblock in a job with heavy interruptions? [44:05]
– How should I manage what I read, watch and listen to for books, magazines, shows, and podcasts? [47:33]
– How should I cope with family and friends always scrolling TikTok during the holiday season? [52:51]
– Does endless scrolling make people less motivated to be physically active? [54:49]
CASE STUDY:
– Developing a Deep Life after selling a company [56:25]
CALL:
– Eliminating Instagram in graduate school [1:04:25]
NOVEMBER BOOKS:
– The 5 Books Cal Read in November, 2025 [1:09:08]
Realityland (David Koening)
Becoming Mary Poppins (Todd James Pierce)
Tradition in an Untraditional Age (Rabbi Jonathan Sacks)
What is the Bible? (Rob Bell)
Notes on Being a Man (Scott Galloway)
YOUTUBE TITLE:
– Is The Internet Becoming Television? | 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://flowingdata.com/2025/10/03/passed-peak-social-media-maybe/
https://www.derekthompson.org/p/why-everything-became-television
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaiecWzeHFM
https://www.csmonitor.com/1985/0610/z2vid1.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.
