Is there something rotten in the state of AI reporting at the moment? In the ideas segment of this episode, Cal details three common traps in AI coverage that distort or distract from the reality of this technology. Once you know what to look for, these traps become easy to avoid – greatly improving your experience when trying to keep up to date on the latest advancements. Then, in the practice segment, Cal asks why morning routines have become so popular among young people. His explanation (hint: it involves the fight for depth in a distracted world) uncovers new ideas about how to make morning routines actually useful.
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
Sign up for Cal’s email newsletter here: https://calnewport.com/ideas
Below are the questions covered in today’s episode (with their timestamps). For instructions on submitting your own questions, go to calnewport.com/podcast.
IDEAS SEGMENT:
– Is AI Reporting Broken? [1:43]
PRACTICES SEGMENT:
– Rethinking Morning Routines [29:27]
QUESTIONS:
– Did I see somewhere that you’re filming a MasterClass? [41:24]
– Now that David Brooks left the NYT, will he start a Substack? [46:25]
– Cal reacts to comments [48:25]
CAL’S READING UPDATE:
– Cal gives his weekly reading update [50:45]
Time Freedom (Brian Heriott)
The Vampire, The Tutor, and the Madman (Josh Douglas)
One Direction (Charles Duhigg) | Article
YOUTUBE TITLE:
– Don’t Trust AI Reporting! (Three Traps to Avoid) | 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://qz.com/amazon-layoffs-ai-tech-job-losses
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/28/amazon-layoffs-anti-bureaucracy-ai.htmlcalnewport.com
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/28/arts/video-games-artificial-intelligence.html
https://nypost.com/2026/01/31/tech/moltbook-is-a-new-social-media-platform-exclusively-for-ai/
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46838834
https://www.youtube.com/@WesRoth/videos
https://www.youtube.com/@airevolutionx/videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoQG25gQyRg
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/02/02/what-maga-can-teach-democrats-about-organizing-and-infighting
Thanks to our Sponsors:
https://www.factormeals.com/deep50off
https://www.monarch.com (Use code “DEEP”)
https://www.pipedrive/com/deep
https://www.mybodytutor.com
Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for episode music, and Mark Miles for mastering.
