There has been lots of discussion recently about AI eliminating jobs. But what if the real fear is that AI will instead make existing jobs miserable? In this episode, Cal argues that LLM–based tools are poised to accelerate the worst aspects of pseudo-productivity to an absurd degree. He then shares five ideas for avoiding this fate in your own professional life.
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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:
(0:00) How Do I Escape the “Busyness Singularity”?
INBOX:
(29:03) Reaction to Cal’s newsletter about LLMs
(33:35) Slow productivity for managers
(37:26) Efforts to improve cognitive fitness
WHAT IS CAL UP TO:
(40:28) What Cal is reading
(42:21) What Cal is up to
BOOKS:
In Defense of Food (Michael Pollan)
YOUTUBE TITLE:
–
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.economist.com/leaders/2026/05/14/prepare-for-an-ai-jobs-apocalypse
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/technology/newsom-ai-executive-order-california.html
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/breaking-down-infinite-workday
https://www.axios.com/2023/02/15/burnout-2022-2023-slack-remote-work-future-forum
https://calnewport.com/on-god-and-llms/
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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production and mastering, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Nate Mechler for research and newsletter.
