Ep. 369: Why Are We Getting Dumber? A Debate.
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
In this compelling episode, Cal Newport dives deep into the "reverse Flynn effect"—the startling recent decline in global IQ scores after decades of steady increases. He explores two critical factors behind this cognitive downturn: the well-documented shift away from reading and books (05:08), and the underappreciated impact of smartphones on our ability to sustain concentration (14:56). Newport argues that while society becomes post-literate, it's also becoming "post-concentration," creating a double threat to cognitive performance. But here's the opportunity: those who systematically train their attention through specific practices can gain a massive relative advantage in this increasingly distracted world (20:26). He provides four concrete strategies to reclaim focus, including the radical but transformative advice to keep phones in the kitchen when at home (24:14), potentially acting as "IQ boosting pills" in our dumbed-down society.
Speakers
Cal Newport (Host)
Georgetown computer science professor and author of bestsellers Deep Work and Digital Minimalism. He's also a founding faculty member of Georgetown's Center for Digital Ethics, offering insights on technology's impact on productivity and well-being.
Key Takeaways
Master the "Attention Resistance" Strategy
Join the rebellion against hyperpalatable content by neutering addictive apps while preserving their utility. Install browser plugins that hide YouTube recommendations, delegate Instagram posting to employees, or create communication barriers. (22:22) This isn't about abstinence—it's about reclaiming control over when and how you engage with technology on your terms.
Implement the Kitchen Phone Protocol
Keep your smartphone plugged in at a designated location when home—not on your person. (24:14) This single change eliminates the companion device syndrome where you reflexively check your phone during dinner, TV watching, or any downtime. Within 3-4 days, your brain adapts and stops craving constant stimulation, dramatically boosting concentration ability.
Train Your Focus Like an Athlete
Practice "Roosevelt Dashes"—ultra-intense 10-minute bursts of focused work on challenging tasks, gradually extending duration as your mental stamina improves. (27:14) Combine this with phone-free walks where you practice productive meditation on specific problems, strengthening your working memory and sustained attention capabilities.
Eliminate Revenue-Driven Attention Apps
Quit apps where companies profit from your time spent—TikTok, Instagram, addictive mobile games. (21:25) These platforms engineer hyperpalatable content that degrades your ability to concentrate on demanding intellectual work. The economic incentive structure guarantees these apps will become more addictive over time, not less.
Build Relentless Daily Deep Work Habits
Dedicate 1-2 hours daily to your most challenging, important work—even when progress feels minimal. (70:29) Rebecca's transformation from struggling songwriter to Rolling Stone-reviewed artist demonstrates how consistent daily practice on hard problems compounds into extraordinary results. The magic isn't in any single session but in the aggregate work completed over months.
Statistics & Facts
- IQs have been declining since roughly 2006-2012 after decades of increases (the reverse Flynn effect). A 2023 Northwestern study published in the journal Intelligence shows this decline across all education levels, with the steepest drops among 18-22 year olds. (02:42)
- All but one intelligence measure on IQ tests have decreased - the exception being three-dimensional rotational scores, which continue to improve. (04:35)
- At least 8 states including Florida and Louisiana have instituted smartphone restrictions in schools, with California's Phone Free Act requiring every school district to devise limiting policies by July 2026. (54:52)
