Why Do Digital Detoxes Fail? What Works Better? | Monday Advice

Why do digital detoxes fail to create lasting change? What works better? To answer these questions, Cal draws from the book “A Brief History of Intelligence” to reveal the relevant neuroscience at play, and then use this understanding to figure out a better method for improving your relationship with your devices.

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/3U3sTvo

Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia

(0:00) Why do digital detoxes fail?

(28:28) An article on the phone algorithm addiction

(35:13) Follow up on the Brad Stulberg interview

(40:21) A policy article on digital addiction

(52:34) Deep work in the age of AI

(57:46) What Cal is up to

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.nytimes.com/2018/02/04/us/politics/online-addictions-cut-back-screen-time.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/14/opinion/culture/phone-algorithm-addiction.html

https://www.splunk.com/en_us/blog/learn/goodharts-law.html

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/digital-addiction-public-health-problem-public-health-law-solution

Thanks to our Sponsors:

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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.

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