Cal Newport - College of Arts & Sciences

Georgetown University Faculty in Research

Dr. Cal Newport is a Provost's Distinguished Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Georgetown University. He studies the theory of distributed systems, but in addition to his academic research, he writes about the intersection of technology and society. He is particularly interested in the impact of new technologies on our ability to perform productive work and lead satisfying lives. Cal has published six books since 2005, including his most recent work from 2019 titled, Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. This book has been a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestseller. Along with his other writings, Digital Minimalism advocates for limited usage of social media and distracting technologies in order to maintain and develop our propensity for deep, prolonged focus. Many of his books and writings are tailored for students and their academic success. He also regularly contributes to his Study Hacks blog, which he created in 2007. Table of Contents 0:00 - Intro 1:40 - What compelled you to write in areas outside traditional computer science? 3:45 - Blending entrepreneurship, writing, and computer science 4:50 - What was it like to write books while still in graduate school? 5:30 - How did you balance writing and research as a student? 6:10 - What was the germ of your interest in computer science? 7:00 - What are distributed systems and what do you find most interesting about them? 8:45 - Do you have an agenda in your mind, or does the external world present you with puzzles? 10:15 - How did you see the different sides of your life coming together in your new book? 12:05 - What advice do you have for young academics navigating across disciplines? 14:30 - How do you balance teaching and research? 16:05 - Do you see these two sides of your life changing your research agenda going forward? 17:20 - Are there new collaborations of disciplines in your future? Music Main Theme: “Corporate Technology” by Scott Holmes Background: “Horizon Soundscapes” by RF Soundtracks