Ep. 349: Sam Altman On Productivity episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 21, 2025 · 1H 14M

Ep. 349: Sam Altman On Productivity

from Deep Questions with Cal Newport · host Cal Newport

Cal talks a lot about his ideas for producing meaningful work in a distracted world. But how do other people tackle this goal? To help better under this question, Cal reacts to a 2018 article from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in which he details his productivity philosophy. Cal then answers listener questions and concludes with a dystopian tech corner. Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com! 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: Sam Altman On Productivity [2:20] - How do I prevent administrative sprawl? [22:01]- When is the best time to schedule Deep Work? [31:12]- How can a gardener gain career capital? [32:43]- How can one go from good performance to exceptional performance? [36:21]- Is it better to write with a single monitor? [38:33] CALL: Slow Productivity in a changing world [43:09] CALL: Rory Mcllroy and his phone [48:35] TECH CORNER: Will AI Destroy Humanity by 2027? [56:46] Links:Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slowGet a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newportCal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?blog.samaltman.com/productivityai-2027.comdaveshap.substack.com/p/common-bad-takes-in-ai-safety-a-response Thanks to our Sponsors: shopify.com/deepzocdoc.com/deepvanta.com/deepquestionsexpressvpn.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cal talks a lot about his ideas for producing meaningful work in a distracted world. But how do other people tackle this goal? To help better under this question, Cal reacts to a 2018 article from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in which he details his productivity philosophy. Cal then answers listener questions and concludes with a dystopian tech corner. Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com! 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: Sam Altman On Productivity [2:20] - How do I prevent administrative sprawl? [22:01]- When is the best time to schedule Deep Work? [31:12]- How can a gardener gain career capital? [32:43]- How can one go from good performance to exceptional performance? [36:21]- Is it better to write with a single monitor? [38:33] CALL: Slow Productivity in a changing world [43:09] CALL: Rory Mcllroy and his phone [48:35] TECH CORNER: Will AI Destroy Humanity by 2027? [56:46] Links:Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slowGet a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newportCal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?blog.samaltman.com/productivityai-2027.comdaveshap.substack.com/p/common-bad-takes-in-ai-safety-a-response Thanks to our Sponsors: shopify.com/deepzocdoc.com/deepvanta.com/deepquestionsexpressvpn.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Ep. 349: Sam Altman On Productivity

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This episode is 1 hour and 14 minutes long.

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This episode was published on April 21, 2025.

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Cal talks a lot about his ideas for producing meaningful work in a distracted world. But how do other people tackle this goal? To help better under this question, Cal reacts to a 2018 article from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in which he details his...

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