Cal Newport: A World Without Email
EPISODE 186
Cal Newport doesn’t like the distractions of technology. In fact, Newport thinks that our focus on technology and how it dominates modern business is holding us back. His book, A World Without Email: Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload, takes a sledgehammer to how technology runs the modern enterprise and, ultimately, our lives.
The idea is not to jettison email but to make it smarter. Instead of the back and forth, you get collaborative tools. You don’t even need to be a business owner or work in tech to have some of the messaging resonate with you, and stay with you long after you have finished. A World Without Email invites you to scrutinize how useful these tools are in your lives and reflect on the best practices.
INTRO
Cal introduces what he means by a world without email
Ad hoc communication leads to lack of focus (2m02)
THE CASE AGAINST EMAIL
Why email took over so fast, and the impact it had
The hist
ory of email (2m)
If the speed of email is damaging, you need to create a habit or replacement process
The hyperactive hive mind (3m35)
PRINCIPLES FOR A WORLD WITHOUT EMAIL
Early Owl breaks down Cal’s advice to find a better, more sustainable workflow
The Attention capital principle (1m04)
Early Owl introduce Cal's 3 steps to smarter processes
The Process Principle (1m27)
OUTRO
Final tip from Cal is to not forget misinterpretation happens, so be friendly and pick up the phone if needed
How to use email in the pandemic era (1m56)
READING LIST