What are Derek Thompson's examples of content becoming television?

Thompson cites the death of social media as users watch videos from strangers, podcasts increasingly adopting video formats, and AI video generation tools like Sora.

How does Raymond Williams define television?

Raymond Williams defined television by its continuous 'flow' of multimedia content, contrasting it with discrete forms like books or plays that have clear beginnings and ends.

What are the potential negative consequences of media becoming like television?

Cal Newport and Derek Thompson worry about a decline in thinking abilities (moving from literacy to orality) and increased social isolation, similar to issues associated with traditional television.

Does Cal Newport agree that ALL media is becoming television?

No, Cal Newport argues that internet-based media is becoming television, but legacy media like books and movies largely remain unaffected and continue to thrive.

Why is the internet so attracted to the television format?

Cal Newport suggests it's due to economic determinism: television was a massive, lucrative market based on filling downtime, and internet and smartphone infrastructure enabled a more powerful, portable, and algorithmically curated version of this model.

What is Cal Newport's prediction for podcasts?

He predicts that major podcasts will need to incorporate video to remain serious players and that podcasts will increasingly appear on streaming video services like Netflix.

How will this trend affect social media giants?

Cal Newport predicts it's bad news for giants like Meta and Twitter because their competitive advantage lies in social graphs, which become less relevant in a television-like, content-consumption model.

What is the silver lining for individuals in this media shift?

As internet media becomes more like television, it will be easier to abstain from it, as it will be more clearly coded as 'distraction' rather than a civic necessity.

How can a software engineer reduce browser distractions while working?

Using AI tools like Claude.app can help if the browser was used for work-related lookups. However, the core solution is 'time blocking' to create clear rules about when to focus and when to break.

How can an automation engineer manage work with frequent interruptions?

Acknowledge that interruptions are part of the job. Focus on 'intention' for the remaining time after disruptions, rather than adhering rigidly to an initial schedule. Keep records ('receipts') if needed to justify progress.

How should I manage my lists of things to read, listen to, and watch?

If lists cause stress and overwhelm, get rid of them. Focus on what you're excited about in the moment. As long as you have interesting things to consume, don't worry about an endless list of un-consumed items.

How do I handle seeing friends engrossed in TikTok without judging them?

You can't force change. Demonstrate a life without excessive phone use and share resources like books or podcasts later, but not in a way that feels like a lecture. Focus on gratitude for your own choices.

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Is The Internet Becoming Television? | Cal Newport

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

People & Blogs4 min read79 min video

Dec 8, 2025|9,580 views|226|38

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TL;DR

The internet is becoming like television, characterized by a continuous flow of video content, impacting our attention and social connections.

Key Insights

The internet, particularly internet-based media, is converging towards a television-like model characterized by a continuous flow of video content.

This shift is driven by the lucrative market of television and enabled by new infrastructure like smartphones and algorithmic curation.

The "everything is television" trend has potential negative consequences, including reduced cognitive abilities and increased social isolation.

Legacy media like books and movies are not succumbing to this trend, indicating the shift is specific to internet-based platforms.

The convergence towards television weakens the competitive advantage of traditional social media giants, whose success was built on social graphs.

This shift offers a silver lining for individuals, making it easier to abstain from or reduce consumption of internet media as it becomes normalized as mere distraction.

THE CONVERGENCE: EVERYTHING IS TELEVISION

Cal Newport explores Derek Thompson's assertion that 'everything is television,' a phenomenon observed in the decline of social media as a social space, the increasing video format of podcasts, and the rise of AI-generated video content. This signifies a shift where platforms designed for interaction are becoming passive content consumption experiences, mirroring traditional television's model.

UNDERSTANDING TELEVISION'S 'FLOW'

Raymond Williams' concept of 'flow' is central to understanding this convergence. Television is not defined by discrete, self-contained content, but by a continuous, non-specific stream of multimedia. This 'flow' is now the attractor state for internet media—platforms like TikTok and AI video become indistinguishable from this continuous, passive viewing experience.

THE ECONOMIC DRIVER OF MEDIA TRANSFORMATION

Newport argues that the lucrative nature of the television market is a primary driver for this internet-based media transformation. The development of broadband and smartphone infrastructure enabled an upgraded, more portable, and algorithmically curated version of the passive entertainment experience that characterized 1980s and 90s television, making it an attractive economic pursuit.

CONSEQUENCES OF THE TELEVISION MODEL

This shift carries significant societal and individual consequences. Newport highlights concerns about a decline in thinking abilities as we move from a culture of literacy to one of orality, and increased social isolation, echoing Robert Putnam's 'Bowling Alone' thesis. The constant availability of passive entertainment exacerbates these issues.

RESILIENCE OF LEGACY MEDIA

While internet-based media is converging towards television, traditional forms like books and movies have largely maintained their distinct identities and continue to thrive. Their enduring presence suggests that the 'everything is television' phenomenon is more specific to platforms built on recent internet and smartphone infrastructure, rather than a universal fate for all media.

PREDICTIONS FOR INTERNET MEDIA'S FUTURE

Newport makes three predictions: major podcasts will require video to remain relevant, traditional social media giants will face decline as their social graphs become obsolete, and abstention from internet media will become easier. As it morphs into television, its perceived necessity will decrease, normalizing choices to disengage and pursue deeper activities.

NAVIGATING DISTRACTION AND TIME MANAGEMENT

The podcast also delves into practical advice for managing attention and time. Newport emphasizes time-blocking as a crucial strategy to combat distractions, especially for knowledge workers. For those in roles with frequent, unpredictable interruptions, the focus should be on intention and adapting plans rather than strict adherence to a schedule.

PERSONAL SYSTEMS AND JUDGMENT ON HABITS

The discussion touches upon managing personal 'to-do' lists with less stress and addressing the difficulty of seeing loved ones engaged in passive media consumption. The advice leans towards demonstrating a different lifestyle rather than lecturing, and accepting that personal choices about media consumption are valid and increasingly normalized.

THE IMPACT OF SCREEN TIME ON WELL-BEING

Research supports the negative impact of endless scrolling and short-form video on attention spans and motivation for physical activity. The convenience of digital simulations offered by screens often substitutes for real-world activities that provide peace and challenge, underscoring the importance of a balanced, screen-light life.

LIFESTYLE-CENTRIC PLANNING VERSUS GRAND GOALS

The case study of 'Jeff' illustrates the pitfalls of the 'grand goal strategy' versus the benefits of 'lifestyle-centric planning.' Jeff's journey shows that focusing on a single, impressive goal can be detrimental, while intentionally designing one's daily life to include desired activities leads to greater fulfillment and well-being.

PERSPECTIVES ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND SOCIAL GRAPHS

The transition of social media platforms towards video content diminishes their original appeal, which was built on social connections and personal updates. This shift makes them susceptible to competition from new forms of video content and weakens the network effects that once provided them with a strong competitive advantage.

BOOK REVIEWS AND THOUGHTS ON AI

Newport shares his recent reading, including books on Disney, religion, and Scott Galloway's 'Notes on Being a Man.' He also discusses his future writing plans, hinting at a book reacting to artificial intelligence and a major upcoming article exploring related ideas, signaling his continued engagement with technological and cultural shifts.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Products

●Software & Apps

●Companies

●Organizations

●Books

●Concepts

●People Referenced

Common Questions

The thesis suggests that most media, especially internet-based media, is converging towards the continuous, non-specific flow of video content characteristic of traditional television.

Topics

Internet Television Short-form Video Attention Span Lifestyle Planning Media Trends

Mentioned in this video

Locations

Disneyland

California resort mentioned in contrast to Disney World.

Companies

Paramount

Christian Science Monitor

Publication of a 1985 article detailing television's prevalence in American households.

Nielsen

Company that used an audometer to measure television usage in households.

Media

The Sopranos

Example of 'appointment viewing' that characterized a golden age of television.

Braveheart

Film scene into which a person was placed via AI video generation, as an example of Sora's capabilities.

Real Housewives

TV show mentioned as an example of content that is now common but might have seemed odd not to watch in the past.

Star Trek

Mentioned as a contrast to the current reality of AI video generation.

Plain English

Thompson's podcast, where he read his essay aloud, allowing for audio excerpts to be played.

Bravo

Books

What is the Bible

Rob Bell's popular book on understanding and interpreting the Bible.

Notes on Being a Man

Scott Galloway's book discussing masculinity and modern life.

Rising Sun

Michael Crichton's novel about financial tensions with Japan and a murder cover-up, which humorously included a trannosaur.

Eruption

A book co-authored by Michael Crichton and James Patterson, described as one of the worst books the speaker has ever read.

Disclosure

Michael Crichton's book on gender power dynamics and sexual harassment, which humorously included a velociraptor.

Becoming Mary Poppins

Book by Todd James Pierce about the making of the movie Mary Poppins and the songwriting duo, the Sherman Brothers.

Reality Land

David Cohen's book about the business history of Disney World.

Horse

A book by Geraldine Brooks, mentioned as a prior work by the author.

Television, Technology, and Cultural Form

A 1974 book by Raymond Williams that defines television by its continuous, streaming, and multimedia 'flow'.

Tradition in an Untraditional Age

Academic essay collection by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on orthodoxy and modernity.

People

Dan Brown

Author of thrillers; speaker plans to read a book by him as part of 'Thriller December'.

Maury Povich

Talk show host mentioned as an example of television content that is considered light and not vital.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

Author of 'Tradition in an Untraditional Age', known for connecting religion with other fields like science and morality.

Robert Putnam

Sociologist and author of 'Bowling Alone', whose work is cited regarding television's tendency to make people isolated.

James Patterson

Co-author of 'Eruption' with Michael Crichton.

Raymond Williams

Author of 'Television, Technology, and Cultural Form', whose concept of 'flow' is central to Thompson's argument.

Sherman Brothers

Songwriting duo central to the book 'Becoming Mary Poppins', who innovated the family musical genre.

Geraldine Brooks

Author of a book about the aftermath of her husband dying; previously wrote 'Horse'.

Kristen Bell

Actress mentioned humorously in the context of high salaries for TV show talent.

Phil Donahue

Talk show host mentioned as an example of television content that is considered light and not vital.

Walter Ong

Referenced for the idea of moving from a culture of literacy to a culture of orality, a consequence of short-form video.

Jerry Springer

Talk show host mentioned as an example of television content that is considered light and not vital.

Rob Bell

Christian pastor and author of 'What is the Bible', known for his conversational and simplified writing style.

Organizations

FTC

Federal Trade Commission, involved in an antitrust trial against Meta.

Financial Times

Concepts

Velociraptor

Humorously cited as a character in Michael Crichton's 'Disclosure'.

Dinosaur

A common element in Michael Crichton's books, satirically noted by the speaker.

Software & Apps

Grammarly

AI communication assistant that helps improve writing quality and productivity.

OpenAI Sora

AI tool for generating videos, cited as an example of AI contributing to the 'everything is television' trend.

Friendster

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Is The Internet Becoming Television? | Cal Newport

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