Ep. 382: Is the Internet Becoming Television?

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.

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: Is the Internet Becoming Television [00:03]

• Can AI reduce distractions for developers? [38:32]
• How do I time block in a job with heavy interruptions? [44:03]
• How should I manage what I read, watch and listen to for books, magazines, shows, and podcasts? [47:31]
• How should I cope with family and friends always scrolling TikTok during the holiday season? [52:50]
• Does endless scrolling make people less motivated to be physically active? [54:48]

CASE STUDY: Developing a Deep Life after selling a company [56:15]

CALL: Eliminating Instagram in graduate school [1:04:19]

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)

Links:

Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slow
Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/
Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?
flowingdata.com/2025/10/03/passed-peak-social-media-maybe/
derekthompson.org/p/why-everything-became-television
youtube.com/watch?v=QaiecWzeHFM
csmonitor.com/1985/0610/z2vid1.html

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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

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