Ep. 390: What Happens When You Ditch Your Smartphone? + Assessing the Internet’s Latest Self-Help Sensation

This podcast episode centers on the impact of smartphones on modern life, arguing that understanding the benefits of a phone-free existence is more motivating than simply listing the harms of phone use. The discussion includes testimonials from individuals who ditched their smartphones, highlighting benefits such as reduced anxiety, increased engagement in meaningful activities, more mind-wandering, and a greater appreciation for beauty in everyday moments. Cal Newport suggests practical steps for achieving a "practically phone-free" lifestyle, including removing social media apps, establishing a kitchen dock for phone use at home, and using a "dumb phone" for excursions. The episode also analyzes a viral article offering advice on life improvement, evaluating its potential to either support or hijack ambition. Finally, the episode touches on the connection between technology and political action, using the example of ICE raids in Minnesota.