Newport’s readers wrote of physical and psychological exhaustion from this constant barrage of information and asked for guidance in regaining control of their digital lives. Twitter in particular has given rise to the ubiquitous “trolls” who are eager to drag readers to “emotionally charged and draining extremes. The author argues that the initial benefits of convenience and connectivity of such platforms as Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest have long since given way to intrusive attention-grabbing and mood manipulation through highly targeted news feeds. In his new book Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World, Newport draws attention to the increasing dangers of constant immersion in this digital mainstream and its consequences for both individuals and our society as a whole. Readers responded with thousands of inquiries for assistance with the same problem of constant interruption and distraction in their personal lives. In his seminal book Deep Work, Cal Newport advocated for the psychological and creative benefits of periods of intense focus in your work life.

Unless you are online constantly and engaged with multiple social media platforms, you are now outside of the mainstream digital experience. FOMO – the “fear of missing out” – has led our modern society to an almost manic obsession with information.

Deep work and digital minimalism