Cal Newport makes the case that productivity is suffering from too much distraction: cell phones, email, Twitter, Facebook, selfies, video games, etc. Newport also points out the new “open” workplace where people don’t have offices anymore just creates a noisy, distracting environment where it’s hard to concentrate on the work at hand. Conversations spill over all those cubical walls. Studies have shown that a person with a smart phone will check it 700 times a day on average. I see my students constantly fiddling with their phones. I liked Newport’s example of writer Neal Stephenson who limits his time online in order to focus on producing novels. His workflow could be an inspiration to us all. If you want a guide to being productive in our digital age, I recommend Deep Work. GRADE: B+
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Introduction
PART ONE: THE IDEA
Chapter 1: Deep Work is Valuable
Chapter 2: Deep Work is Rare
Chapter 3: Deep Work is Meaningful
PART TWO: THE RULES
Rule #1: Work Deeply
Rule #2: Embrace Boredom
Rule #3: Quit Social Media
Rule #4: Drain the Shallows
Conclusion
Notes
Index
I was going to read this post, George, but I just got three new messages on Facebook.
Jerry, exactly! Trivial stuff drives out meaningful work.
It is all true. You go out to a restaurant and see four people in a booth ignoring each other while they check their latest Facebook update. I’ve read that “700 times a day” statistic. Obviously it is not for our generation. I don’t do social media – Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or whatever the new thing is – nor will I. Too many people leave their phones on 24/7 in case a tweet from the Kardashians or Trump comes in at 3 am, apparently.
As Bill Crider has been known to say, I miss the old days. And Jackie says, she’s glad we’re “old” and grew up in another time.
And keep off my lawn!
Jeff, my students constantly fiddle with their smartphones. Walking down the hall is always an adventure because so many people are moving but are totally into Twitter and aren’t paying attention. I’ve had students and younger faculty bump into me while they were fixated on their phones!
I’m on facebook – but I usually open it only once a day, right now maybe twice – because my granddaughter and her boyfriend are just travelling around the world, from India via Indonesia to Australia where they’re picking oranges right now …
Daily updates and photos …
But you’re right – being “always available” on your mobile is not a good idea.
I have a favourite bar in my German home town where I’ve been going for over forty years now – we regularly meet friends there from these old days, and new ones of course, and we always joke with the proprietor:
When will we have WLAN here?
And he grins and says: Only over my dead body …
Totally OT:
You can find the bar on the net – just search for “Boulanger Tübingen”, there are some nice pictures!
Wolf, I love the owner’s answer! We need an oasis from all the email, tweets, voice-mails, and Facebook comments! Social media has a downside.
It’s true. My brother and one of my sisters are on Facebook and clearly check it for updates constantly.
I”m on facebook, but go thru spurts of checking it twice a day to twice a week. It’s nice as I’ve reconnected with family there, but usually just check while I’m waiting for a response or have a few minutes to kill.
I’ve stopped trying to avoid people walking and checking their devices, unless I could hurt myself. If they run into me and (hopefully) drop their device, its on them.
The big problem here is drivers and bike riders. The bike riders are the most dangerous because they usually have headphones on, so can’t hear if you honk, and they drive all over the road. We have bike lanes now, which are most of the time ignored. It is now commonplace to be at a stop light, have the light turn green, and the car at the front just sitting there, with the driver looking down at their lap.
Maggie, not a day goes by when there isn’t a “texting and driving” accident on local TV. Some are just minor accidents, but some are fatal.
Too true. It is all too easy to resort to checking cellphones many times a day.
Patti, when “many” becomes 700 times a day…that’s a problem.
I’m guilty of checking Facebook a lot, but if I don’t the messages pile up rapidly! I don’t respond to very many these days, though! And who needs a book to tell me this?!
BTW, George, you ought to confiscate anyone’s phone that’s being used in class!
Bob, banning smartphones sounds like a Good Idea, but students would claim I’m violating their Civil Rights.
I check my iPhone at least once a week! Sometimes twice! Ih oh, sounds like I have a big problem. By the way, why’s this Facebook thing everyone talks about? Is it for your complexion or something? A book about faces, probably. Can do without that. Bob says he checks Facebook a lot, but he sure doesn’t reply to comments on his blog. Phooey.
Guilty as charged, Rick! I’ll try to do better!