Deep Questions with Cal Newport
Latest Business Ideas
Attention Resistance Plugins
The concept involves developing browser plugins that enhance user control over their online experiences, especially on social media and content platforms. These plugins would filter out distractions, such as advertisements and algorithm-driven content suggestions, allowing users to focus only on relevant information. This addresses the growing frustration among users who feel manipulated by extractive technologies that prioritize ad revenue over user satisfaction. The target market could include students, professionals, and anyone looking to regain control over their digital time. The implementation could involve partnering with existing educational platforms for promotion, offering a freemium model with premium features for deeper control options, and utilizing social proof to build a user base from existing dissatisfied users of mainstream platforms.
From: Ep. 365: What Technology Wants (and How to Push Back)
Ad-Free Subscription-Based Apps
This business idea involves creating a suite of digital apps that are entirely ad-free and require a subscription for usage. By establishing a clear cost associated with the apps, users can expect a higher value return without the distractions and data exploitation commonly associated with free, ad-supported apps. These apps could range from productivity tools to social networking platforms that focus on user engagement and mental health benefits. The proposed business addresses the growing concern over user exploitation in the app market, where free tools often lead to negative outcomes. The target audience would be aware consumers who prioritize their digital well-being and are willing to pay for a cleaner, more intentional online experience. Strategies for implementation could include offering trial periods, marketing campaigns emphasizing the ad-free experience, and building a community around mindful technology use.
From: Ep. 365: What Technology Wants (and How to Push Back)
Digital Decluttering Service
The business concept revolves around a service that offers guided digital decluttering experiences for individuals and organizations. This could involve a structured 30-day program where participants step away from selected digital technologies to assess their value in their lives. After this period, clients would engage in a review session to determine which technologies to reintroduce based on their perceived benefits. This service addresses the prevalent problem of digital overwhelm where users struggle with too many apps and platforms that fail to add value. The target audience would include busy professionals and organizations looking to enhance productivity and mental well-being. Tactics for implementation could involve online workshops, one-on-one coaching, and community support groups to exchange experiences and tips on maintaining a balanced digital life.
From: Ep. 365: What Technology Wants (and How to Push Back)
School & Parent Tech‑Policy Workshops + Toolkit
Cal recounts delivering a school talk on kids and smartphones and explicitly recording slides/video to share beyond a single parent room. That sequence suggests a business: a service and digital toolkit for schools and PTAs that provides evidence‑based parent workshops, slide decks, videos, policy templates (e.g., recommended age limits, device policies for classrooms), and take‑home resources. Implementation steps: package Cal’s research‑aligned content into modular workshop formats (60–90 minute talks, Q&A, teacher training), create editable slide decks and sample school policies (including suggested age thresholds and device‑use rules), and offer subscription access or per‑workshop fees. Add-ons: recorded sessions for asynchronous parent education, a downloadable 'phone foyer' checklist, and implementation guides for family/home rules. This solves the information and policy gap many parents and schools face when deciding smartphone rules, giving administrators an evidence‑based, easily deployable resource. Target customers: primary & secondary schools, PTAs, private school networks, pediatric practices, and local education boards. Tactics mentioned in the episode that should be used: record video to share widely, use slides to support claims, reference consensus research and action‑oriented recommendations (e.g., delay unrestricted access until ~16), and use school talks as a distribution channel.
From: Ep. 246: Kids and Phones
Internet‑Free 'Light' Phone for Kids
The episode explicitly recommends giving children communication-only devices (phones without Internet) until they are ~16, and cites the 'light phone' as an example. This business idea is to design, white‑label, or resell a purpose-built communication device for preteens and younger teens that supports calling and SMS, has strong parental controls (or none at all for apps), and intentionally omits web browsers, app stores, social media, and video streaming. Implementation paths include: (a) partner with existing minimalist device manufacturers (white-labeling) to add family-focused UX and packaging; (b) build a branded device using an existing GSM feature‑phone platform with custom firmware that enforces app restrictions; (c) sell a hardware + SIM bundle with optional parental management dashboard and upgrade path at age 16. The product solves the problem parents face when they need their child to have reliable two‑way communication for safety (buses, emergencies) without exposing them to the attention economy and sleep/solitude harms of full smartphones. Target customers are parents of school‑age children, private and public schools looking for recommended student devices, and district procurement teams. Tactics mentioned in the episode that can be applied: promote the device as the 'phone for functional independence' (e.g., for bus comms), emphasize that unrestricted smartphones create sleep/solitude harms, and position the device as complementary to a family laptop/shared computer model. Marketing channels: PTA/school talks, parenting blogs, pediatricians, and pediatric mental‑health professionals.
From: Ep. 246: Kids and Phones
Curated Family Content Bundles for Shared Devices
Cal describes the effective practice of providing children curated, high‑quality content on a family‑shared computer (e.g., subscribing to The Athletic) rather than giving unrestricted smartphone access. The business idea is a subscription/content product that packages curated, age‑appropriate premium content bundles for families to use on shared devices: sports packages, STEM learning bundles, chess & strategy, longform journalism, and hands‑on hobby kits (video + printable exercises). Implementation: assemble licensing deals or curated playlists with publishers (The Athletic, niche edtech, audio‑documentaries), build a simple web app that runs in a controlled browser profile on a family computer, and sell family subscriptions with parental dashboards and scheduled access windows. This addresses parents' need to let children explore interests safely, preventing attention‑economy traps while still supporting learning and engagement. Target audience: parents of 8–15 year olds, homeschools, and schools looking for controlled enrichment resources. Specific tactics referenced in the episode that map to the product: distribution via the family laptop (shared, supervised device), themed bundles (sports example), and framing as 'quality leisure' alternatives to endless scrolling. Fast MVP possible by curating existing public/paid content and offering it via a locked browser profile and curated newsletter/playlist.
From: Ep. 246: Kids and Phones
Minimalist Metrics Tracker App
This business idea centers on developing a minimalist digital application that enables users to track daily activity-based metrics using a simple, coded system. Inspired by Cal Newport’s method of recording key actions (like exercise, stretching, and reading) with short codes, the app would eliminate the friction of lengthy spreadsheet updates by allowing users to quickly log whether they performed an activity, along with optional quantitative details. The design emphasizes ease of use, fast input, and minimal cognitive load, incorporating features such as multiple choice daily tracking and autopilot scheduling reminders to ensure users build sustainable habits. The app could be implemented as a SaaS product with a subscription model, targeting entrepreneurs, productivity enthusiasts, and digital professionals who value deep work and intentional living. Implementation would involve creating a clean interface, mobile app support, and customizable metric templates so that users can tailor the system to various aspects of personal and professional growth. Specific strategies include integrating calendar reminders, simple analytics for progress tracking without overcomplication, and possible integration with wearable devices to automatically log some activities. This tool would solve the problem of overcomplicated productivity trackers by providing a lean, effective alternative that encourages deliberate action rather than endless data entry.
From: Ep. 364: Metrics 101
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