Ep. 375: Did OpenAI Just Kill Social Media?

Ep. 375: Did OpenAI Just Kill Social Media?

Author: Cal Newport October 20, 2025 Duration: 1:38:12
Ep. 375: Did OpenAI Just Kill Social Media? OpenAI has been making waves recently with their release of their Sora 2 video generation model, which they have launched alongside a TikTok-style social media sharing app. The internet is usually pretty excited about AI innovations, but this one has people unsettled. In today’s episode, Cal looks at one implication of Sora 2 in particular that is both important but currently overcooked: the impact of AI content generation on the existing social media giants. He then answers listener questions on AI and social media and reacts to a new Sam Altman tweet that signals bad news for OpenAI. Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo Video from today’s episode: youtube.com/calnewportmedia Deep Dive: Did OpenAI Just Kill Social Media? [0:02] Will Sora 2 kill creativity? [46:12] Am I doing myself a disservice by using AI tools to help me code? [51:36] Is Substack better than social media? [55:55] What are your thoughts on a “family smartphone”? [1:06:35] What should I do when others disregard the structures that are meant to reduce the digital back and forth? [1:07:53] CASE STUDY: A Digital Declutter [1:15:38] CALL: Children with dumb phones or smartphones [1:19:49] CAL REACTS: Sam Altman Proposes AI Erotica  [1:27:46] Links:Buy Cal’s latest book, “Slow Productivity” at calnewport.com/slowGet a signed copy of Cal’s “Slow Productivity” at peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/cal-newport/Cal’s monthly book directory: bramses.notion.site/059db2641def4a88988b4d2cee4657ba?SORA: the all Ai TikTok Clone. will slop end creativity?youtube.com/watch?v=Vz0oQ0v0W10newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/tiktok-and-the-fall-of-the-social-media-giantsyoutube.com/watch?v=I1dW-nZqhewx.com/sama/status/1978129344598827128 Thanks to our Sponsors: This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp:betterhelp.com/deepquestionsexpressvpn.com/deepcalderalab.com/deepshopify.com/deep Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cal Newport, a computer science professor and bestselling author, brings his thoughtful exploration of technology's role in our lives into an audio format with Deep Questions with Cal Newport. Moving beyond the pages of his books, this podcast creates a direct dialogue where he addresses the real-world challenges submitted by his readers. Each episode feels like a focused conversation, tackling the practicalities of building a meaningful and productive life in an age of constant connectivity. You’ll hear specific strategies for cultivating sustained focus, designing a work life that allows for depth, and establishing boundaries with the digital tools that so often fragment our attention. The discussions are grounded in his research and philosophy, avoiding simplistic life-hacks in favor of sustainable systems. Whether it's navigating the demands of a distracted workplace, finding time for deep hobbies, or managing technology without feeling overwhelmed, Newport provides nuanced advice that connects the dots between personal effectiveness and broader societal trends. This isn't just another productivity podcast; it's a consistent source for rethinking how we engage with our work, our time, and our devices to reclaim a sense of purpose and control. The overall tone is both analytical and accessible, making complex ideas about living and working deeply feel immediately applicable to daily routines. Tuning into this podcast offers a regular opportunity to step back from the noise and consider a more intentional approach to everything you do.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Deep Questions with Cal Newport
Podcast Episodes
Ep 386: Was 2025 a Great or Terrible Year for AI? (w/ Ed Zitron) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:23:07
Ep 386: Was 2025 a Great or Terrible Year for AI? (w/ Ed Zitron) 2025 was a year that was saturated in AI news, from Deep Seek, through claims of economic “bloodbaths,” to GPT-5, Sora, and Chatbot girlfriends. Frankly, i…
Ep 385: Single-Purpose Notebooks (REPLAY) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:11
In this replay of a classic episode from March 2024, Cal discusses his transformative experience using a small analog notebook to tackle a complicated problem in his life. He makes the broader argument that sometimes sim…
Ep 384: What Should I Read for a Deeper New Year? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:55
In our annual holiday episode, Cal tackles one of the questions he’s asked most often: What should I read? But with a twist. He recommends six books that are not from the self-help or advice genre that will nonetheless h…
Ep. 382: Is the Internet Becoming Television? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:26
Last month, Derek Thompson published an intriguing essay that made waves in technology criticism circles. It was titled: “Everything is Television.” In today’s episode, Cal takes a closer look at this essay, unpacking an…
Ep. Ep 381: Life Advice from Legendary Writers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:29
In today’s episode, Cal reviews some of his favorite advice from legendary writers (plus a bonus piece of advice from his own craft). Within each suggestion, he finds a general idea that can apply to anyone looking to bu…
Ep. 380: ChatGPT is Not Alive! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:50
There has been a lot of loose talk online recently about the capabilities of existing AI tools. In this episode, Cal reacts to a specific recent clip from the Joe Rogan podcast in which the guest argues that language mod…
Ep. 379: The Flexibility Myth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:57:27
When companies began instituting return-to-office plans after the pandemic, a disproportionate number of women chose instead to leave the workforce. Why? The obvious answer is that they wanted the flexibility of remote w…
Ep. 378: The Lost Art of Long Thinking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:53
We often talk on this show about how digital devices undermine our ability to consume more complicated and meaningful ideas. But what about our ability to produce such ideas from scratch? In this episode, Cal identifies…
Ep. 377: The Case Against Superintelligence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:14
Techno-philosopher Eliezer Yudkowsky recently went on Ezra Klein's podcast to argue that if we continue on our path toward superintelligent AI, these machines will destroy humanity. In this episode, Cal responds to Yudko…