PSYC1105 DW3.0

Rule #1. Work Deeply 1.      The book explains four deep work philosophies.   What are they (explain them briefly). 2.         Which of these philosophies might be the best fit for your current status as a college student? What are some possible challenges to fulfilling that philosophy? 3.         Newport makes an argument in favor of creating rituals.  What is it? What kind of rituals is he talking about? 4.         Some of the “grand gestures” described in the book are outside the reach of most of us.  However, if you have a deadline or a work/school commitment that requires deep concentration, what are some of the grand gestures that are within your reach? 5.         The book suggests four disciplines, what are they? Why are they important?  And which ones would you like to experiment with? 6.         What is a “wildly important” goal that you have now or will have in the near future? 7.         As a student, you can have lag measures and lead measures for your progress and performance. Make a short list of each (a couple of each type will do). 8.         What are the arguments in favor of idleness? 9.         How do you incorporate idleness in your life?

Rule # 2. Embrace Boredom

10.         Newport is quite skeptical of will power and motivation as the driving force towards a focused life. Why is that? 11.         Listen to this interview with Clifford Nass.  https://www.sciencefriday.com/person/clifford-nass/   and summarize as if you were telling it to your family and friends. 12.         What are some of the most outrageous ways in which you have noticed the on-demand distraction culture? You can talk about yourself, or about other people. 13.         Why is it that Newport doesn’t see the habit of looking at one’s phone when waiting in line for 30 seconds as innocent and benign? 14.         What is the difference between taking breaks from focus and taking breaks from distraction? 15.         I have noticed that when I am about to start a really difficult task at work, like writing a discussion in a paper, or answering a reviewer, I often go to infotainment websites, or all of the sudden I am in the market for new shoes.  What would be your advice to me?  Why do you think it happens? 16.         How did Teddy Roosevelt approach his schoolwork? 17.         What is productive meditation according to Newport? 18.       What school or work task that you are currently tackling could benefit from productive meditation? 19.       Map out a structure for your deep thinking about a school or work problem following the suggestions in the section “Suggestion #2 Structure your deep thinking”.

Rule #3. Quit social media

20.     Why does Tristan Harris think that our phones are a slot machine? 21.     What is the “any benefit” approach to tool selection? 22.     What is the craftsman’s approach to tool selection? 23.     Newport suggests that we don’t use the internet to entertain ourselves.  Why, and what alternatives does he suggest?  Do you see any counter argument to that suggestion? 24.     Newport has some really harsh words about how social media “short circuits” the connection between hard work and reward.  What is his argument?

25.   This is the definition of a customer:  a person or organization that buys goods or services from a store or business. In social media, what do people buy, and how do they pay for it?  If they don’t pay for it with money, how do social media companies make money?