Ep 386: Was 2025 a Great or Terrible Year for AI? (w/ Ed Zitron)

Ep 386: Was 2025 a Great or Terrible Year for AI? (w/ Ed Zitron) 2025 was a year that was saturated in AI news, from Deep Seek, through claims of economic “bloodbaths,” to GPT-5, Sora, and Chatbot girlfriends. Frankly, it was exhausting. As we now look back on 2025 an interesting question arises: all in all, did this end up being a good or bad year for AI? To help me answer this question, I’m joined by hard-hitting AI commentator Ed Zitron, who's been everywhere in the media in recent months helping to make sense of the wild claims being thrown in the public’s direction. Together we go through the biggest AI stories of the year to try to make sense of what just happened. Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmediaINTERVIEW: Was 2025 a Great or Terrible Year for AI (w/ Ed Zitron) [3:16]Cal Reacts to Comments: Is the Internet Becoming Television? [1:58:25]  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-newport/Cal's monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?bbc.com/news/articles/c5yv5976z9poaxios.com/2025/01/23/davos-2025-ai-agentsblog.google/technology/google-deepmind/gemini-model-updates-february-2025/openai.com/index/sora/openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-4-5/ai-2027.com/fortune.com/2025/05/28/anthropic-ceo-warning-ai-job-loss/media.mit.edu/publications/your-brain-on-chatgpt/usatoday.com/story/tech/2025/08/07/chat-gpt-5-release-date-open-ai/85566627007/#:~:text=GPT%2D5%20release%20date,release%20date%20for%20Part%202newyorker.com/culture/open-questions/what-if-ai-doesnt-get-much-better-than-thiswsj.com/tech/ai/ai-bubble-building-spree-55ee6128nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/openai-and-nvidia-announce-strategic-partnership-to-deploy-10gw-of-nvidia-systemsnytimes.com/2025/10/02/technology/openai-sora-video-app.htmlanthropic.com/news/claude-opus-4-5ft.com/content/064bbca0-1cb2-45ab-85f4-25fdfc318d89youtube.com/watch?v=Z_WEmjygNK0Thanks to our Sponsors: This episode is sponsored by Better Help:betterhelp.com/deepquestionsreclaim.ai/calexpressvpn.com/deepcalderalab.com/deepThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this replay of a classic episode from March 2024, Cal discusses his transformative experience using a small analog notebook to tackle a complicated problem in his life. He makes the broader argument that sometimes simple analog tools can far exceed the utility of their digital counterparts.Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode:youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep Dive: Single-Purpose Notebooks [1:21]- If “pseudo-productivity” isn’t effective, why is it so common? [21:58] - Can you explain the difference between limiting missions, projects, and daily goals? [29:54] - Should everyone buy a $50 notebook? [34:18]- How does “Slow Productivity” relate to mental models and first principles? [43:08]- Should I read your new book slowly? [47:40]- CALL: Struggling writer obsessing over quality [53:10]CASE STUDY: Applying lifestyle-centric career planning [58:14]SOMETHING INTERESTING: TikTok Falters [1:01:39]Links:Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at www.calnewport.com/slow Get a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?https://www.notebookstories.com/2013/05/06/picasso-sketchbook/https://www.anothermanmag.com/life-culture/10788/remembering-bruce-chatwin-the-greatest-travel-writer-that-ever-livedhttps://www.notebookstories.com/2023/12/22/a-notebook-in-the-movie-elf/https://www.wsj.com/tech/personal-tech/quitting-tiktok-less-swiping-more-sleeping-1e166a39?page=1https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/tiktok-and-the-fall-of-the-social-media-giantsGet your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmediaThanks to our Sponsors: monarch.com/deep1password.com/deepmakeheadway.com/deepmeetfabric.com/deepThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In our annual holiday episode, Cal tackles one of the questions he’s asked most often: What should I read? But with a twist. He recommends six books that are not from the self-help or advice genre that will nonetheless help you change your life into something deeper. For the rest of the episode, he then answers listener calls.Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaCAL’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:Walden by Henry David Thoreau [2:40]Lincoln’s Virtues by William Lee Miller [7:28]The Case for God by Karen Armstrong [10:54]You Are Not a Gadget by Jaron Lanier [21:25]The Shallows by Nicholas Carr [26:28]Falling Upward by Richard Rohr [28:45]CALLS: Concerned father and husband about smartphones [37:48]Living deeply with multiple gigs [43:27]Effective timeblocking [47:19]The Deep Life for non-knowledge workers [54:01]Dealing with overwhelming technology [58:59]The real cost of AI [1:02:59]Where to start with deep work? [1:07:33]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-newport/Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?Thanks to our Sponsors: monarch.com/deepwayfair.comnotion.com/calreclaim.ai/calThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Earlier this fall, the activist, novelist, and essayist Paul Kingsnorth published an anti-technology polemic called “Against the Machine.” To say it hit a nerve is an understatement. In the months that followed, Kingsnorth has been everywhere; profiled, among places, in the New York Times, the New Yorker, and The Atlantic. In today’s episode, I want to find out why Kingsnorth’s take on technology is resonating so strongly. To help me answer this question, I’m joined by the journalist and scholar Tyler Austin Harper, who wrote a great review of Kingsnorth’s book for The Atlantic. We dive deep into Kingsnorth’s ideas and explore what they teach us about our current moment more generally.Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmediaINTERVIEW: Why Is Everyone Talking About “Against the Machine”? (w/ Tyler Austin Harper) [0:00] Is the simple awareness of a notification as harmful as full context switching? [1:15:49]Is there an “ideal ratio” for consuming information across different mediums? [1:17:12]How can I effectively implement your shutdown routine and not keep checking emails? [1:20:21]How can I manage my social media obligations with my marketing job? [1:23:52]CASE STUDY: Reframing a career to utilize career capital [1:26:07]CALL: Dealing with conflicting views about digital minimalism in a relationship [1:30:21]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-newport/Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?theatlantic.com/books/2025/11/paul-kingsnorth-against-the-machine/684848/Thanks to our Sponsors: This show is sponsored by Better Help:betterhelp.com/deepquestionsshopify.com/deepmybodytutor.comexpressvpn.com/deepThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep 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/slowGet 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-televisionyoutube.com/watch?v=QaiecWzeHFMcsmonitor.com/1985/0610/z2vid1.htmlThanks to our Sponsors: cozyearth.com/DEEP (for up to 40% off)auraframes.com (Use code “DEEPQUESTIONS” to get $35 off)indeed.com/deepgrammarly.com/podcastThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In today’s episode, Cal reviews some of his favorite advice from legendary writers (plus a bonus piece of advice from his own craft). Within each suggestion, he finds a general idea that can apply to anyone looking to build a deep life in an increasingly distracted world. He then answers listener questions and responds to comments about last week’s episode.Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep Dive: Life Advice from Legendary Writers [0:02]How do you balance managing your energy vs. time? [45:29]How can I recharge without feeling antsy as a working mom? [48:39]Should I eliminate Reddit to gain a more intentional mind? [50:56]What’s the difference for reading based on the Lincoln protocol and for sheer joy? [54:53]Does active podcast listening qualify as a learning endeavor? [57:01]CASE STUDY: A project manager reorganizes his life [1:02:19]CALL: Developing a 5-year plan for work [1:06:54]CAL READS THE COMMENTS: Can LLMs be Conscious? [1:09:51]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-newport/Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?youtube.com/watch?v=CQHK_AlJTQcThanks to our Sponsors: calderalab.com/deepauraframes.com (Use code “DEEPQUESTIONS”)shopify.com/deepvanta.com/deepquestionsThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There has been a lot of loose talk online recently about the capabilities of existing AI tools. In this episode, Cal reacts to a specific recent clip from the Joe Rogan podcast in which the guest argues that language models are like a child’s brain, and may already be conscious. Cal puts on his (always stylish) computer scientist had to explain why this cannot be true. He then answers listener questions and reacts to feedback on his recent episode about using a notebook to enhance long thinking.Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep Dive: ChatGPT is Not Alive [0:04]Are there other forms of dangerous AI other than LLMs? [49:03]What are the immediate concerns of AI? [53:24]Will AI be smart enough to evolve to not destroy itself? [55:47]Does James Somers make a valid argument in his recent New Yorker article that the AI can think? [1:01:49]How can I build career capital if I’m forced to integrate AI into my workflow? [1:04:52]CASE STUDY: A Workplace Productivity System [1:06:31]CAL READS THE COMMENTS: Regaining Your Ability to Think (in 60 Minutes a Week) [1:10:48]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-newport/Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?youtube.com/watch?v=gXbsq5nVmT0youtube.com/watch?v=NnA2OoH_NFYThanks to our Sponsors:calderalab.com/deepauraframes.com (Use code “DEEPQUESTIONS”)byloftie.com (Use code “DEEP20”)cozyearth.com (Use code “DEEP”)Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When companies began instituting return-to-office plans after the pandemic, a disproportionate number of women chose instead to leave the workforce. Why? The obvious answer is that they wanted the flexibility of remote work. But in this episode, Cal draws on a recent New York Times op-ed that offers a deeper explanation – one that affects all knowledge workers. He then explores solutions to the problem, answers listener questions, and (God help him) respond to comments on his recent Superintelligence episode.Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep Dive: The Flexibility Myth [0:02]How should a venture backed startup team design their work schedule? [51:42]How do I stop my boss from e-mailing me at all hours? [57:02]How should a professor on break schedule his deep work? [1:02:35]How can I better schedule my blocks to prepare for technical interviews? [1:09:59]When considering lifestyle-centric planning, what practices may help determine the type of work to pursue? [1:12:16]CASE STUDY: Completing a Thesis [1:19:08]CALL: Details about time blocking [1:25:08]CAL READS THE COMMENTS: The Case Against Superintelligence [1:33:58]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-newport/Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?nytimes.com/2025/11/02/opinion/women-work-force-flexibility-shifts.htmlyoutube.com/watch?v=y0RI5CnoDvsThanks to our Sponsors: This episode is sponsored by Betterhelp. betterhelp.com/deepquestionsexpressvpn.com/deepshopify.com/deepmybodytutor.comThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We often talk on this show about how digital devices undermine our ability to consume more complicated and meaningful ideas. But what about our ability to produce such ideas from scratch? In this episode, Cal identifies a key productive skill –  long thinking – that we’re increasingly losing. He argues that it’s critical for living a deep life and provides a simple strategy to help regain the skill. He then answers listener questions and discusses the books he read in October 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/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep Dive: The Lost Art of Long Thinking [0:02]How does Cal organize his notebooks for his books and New Yorker articles? [42:40]How can an 18 year old student get better at reading? [45:42]How can I restart my creative writing if I don’t want to use a computer? [47:56]Is it important to write reflections on the books I read? [56:57]How often should I take reflection walks with single purpose notebooks? [59:00]CASE STUDY: Trying to live a Deep Life [1:00:47]CALL: Adventure Work [1:09:00]OCTOBER BOOKS: The 5 Books Cal Read in October 2025 [1:11:57]The Gift of the Jews (Thomas Cahill)Lin-Manuel Miranda (Daniel Pollack-Pelzner)Inspired (Rachel Held Evans)The Future of Tutoring (Liz Cohen)Society of the Spectacle (Guy Debord)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-newport/Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?calnewport.com/solutions-beyond-the-screen-the-adventure-work-method-for-producing-creative-insights/youtube.com/watch?v=bEusrD8g-dMcalnewport.com/the-notebook-method-how-pen-and-paper-can-transform-you-into-an-star-student/Thanks to our Sponsors:indeed.com/deepcozyearth.com/deep for up to 40% offwayfair.comgrammarly.com/podcastThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How do you escape a world where constant digital distractions and darkness threatens to pull you down? Maybe take a page out of Abraham Lincoln’s life. In this episode, Cal argues that Lincoln faced analog versions of many of the same issues we face in our contemporary digital world, and by studying how he escaped we can learn a method to accomplish something similar. He then answers listener questions on this theme and revisits the comments from a 2008 essay where he first introduced some of these questions.Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvoVideo from today’s episode:  youtube.com/calnewportmediaDeep Dive: The Lincoln Protocol [0:30]When do you read long-form articles amongst your book reading? [41:39]Will reading improve my focus? [44:03]What are the mechanics of keeping a deep reading habit alive? [48:17]At what point does it make sense to prioritize autonomy and alignment over prestige and security? [54:48]How do you suggest spending the time playing with the toddler, while also balancing reasonable stimuli without a phone? [1:00:01]CASE STUDY: A military spouse goes back to work after motherhood [1:03:47]CALL: Cal’s thoughts on Apple Watches [1:07:35]CAL READS THE COMMENTS: What people thought about digital distraction in 2008 [1:12:06]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-newport/Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?calnewport.com/would-lincoln-have-become-president-if-he-had-e-mail/calnewport.com/would-lincoln-have-become-president-if-he-had-e-mail/Thanks to our Sponsors: drinklmnt.com/deepmiro.comcalderalab.com/deep1password.com/deepThanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.