Ep. 345: Are We Getting Dumber?
Ep. 345: Are We Getting Dumber?  
Podcast: Deep Questions with Cal Newport
Published On: Mon Mar 24 2025
Description: Multiple listeners recently sent in a Financial Times article that asks whether humans have passed “peak intelligence.” In this episode, Cal looks closer at the data in this article to try to understand why we seem to be getting dumber, and more importantly, what are the practical steps individuals can take to avoid the trend. He then answers listener questions and ends with a tech corner segment that highlights a blind spot in current discussions of AI. 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: Are We Getting Dumber? [2:58] - Is it possible to build a better Twitter? [24:58]- Should I ditch my higher paying job to avoid stress? [29:59]- Can I remain relevant with younger, tech-savvy colleagues? [34:56]- How should I navigate my time during while receiving severance? [38:35]- What should I do next after being fired from my federal job? [41:18]- CALL: Practicing focus on the weekends [45:01] CASE STUDY: An engineering Kansan system [48:41] TECH CORNER: The AI Blind Spot [1:00:04] 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?on.ft.com/3DIItJK  Thanks to our Sponsors: factormeals.com/deep50offlandroverusa.comexpressvpn.com/deepgrammarly.com/podcast Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, Kieron Rees for the slow productivity music, and Mark Miles for mastering.