“The key to living well in a high tech world is to spend much less time using technology.”
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"I challenge you not to devour this wonderful book in one sitting."
-Greg McKeown, author of Essentialism
“What a timely and useful book! It's neither hysterical nor complacent - a workable guide to being thoughtful about digital media. It's already made me rethink some of my media use in a considered way.”
- Naomi Alderman, author of The Power
"This book is an urgent call to action for anyone serious about being in command of their own life."
- Ryan Holiday, author of The Obstacle Is the Way
"You’re not the user, you’re the product. Hang up, log off, and tune in to a different way to be in the world. Bravo, Cal. Smart advice for good people."
- Seth Godin, author of This Is Marketing
“Newport is making a bid to be the Marie Kondo of technology: someone with an actual plan for helping you realize the digital pursuits that do, and don’t, bring value to your life.”
- Ezra Klein, founder of Vox.com
I’m a computer science professor at Georgetown University who studies the theory of distributed systems. In addition to my academic work, I write about the intersection of technology and culture.
I'm the author of six books, including, most recently, the New York Times bestseller, Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. My work has been published in over 25 languages and has been featured in many major publications, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New Yorker, Washington Post, and Economist.
I've been blogging here at calnewport.com for over a decade.
Writing in his journal in March of 1842, at the precocious age of 24, Thoreau noted the following about the difference between quality and quantity in work: “The really efficient laborer will be found not to crowd his day with work, but will saunter to his task surrounded by a wide halo of ease and […]
In March of 2009, only a couple years into the life of this blog, I wrote a post that attempted to summarize what I was up to. I titled it: “What the Hell is Study Hacks?” At the time, I was focused exclusively on advice for students. I had published two books for this audience […]
Yesterday’s discussion about productivity and the deep life sparked a really interesting conversation, both in the comments section and my inbox. I thought it might be useful to continue with this topic and see where we end up. A crucial distinction that seemed to arise from this back-and-forth was between productivity in the business context […]
Earlier today, a reader and fellow professor sent me an interesting question: “Everything you write is underpinned by productivity discourse. As I note above, I do embrace your approach to writing and thinking—the need for sustained thinking in quiet (sometimes outdoor) places, its deep pleasures (as well as difficulties), and its contribution to a deep […]
Last April, Jia Tolentino wrote an article for The New Yorker that reviewed my book, Digital Minimalism, along with Jenny Odell’s book, How to Do Nothing, which came out around the same time. Tolentino’s piece thoughtfully weaved many different strands of observation, each of which is worthy of its own dissection. There was one point, […]
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Cal is interviewed by Dan Harris on Good Morning America.
