Back To Work

TOPIC: Lady in a tube. This week, Dan and Merlin unexpectedly end up doing a pretty deep dive on Amazon voice products and the evolving ecosystem around them. Which is way more interesting than it sounds. Deep dive. Links for this episode:QI - "No Such Thing As A Fish" Podcast"A weekly podcast in which the QI researchers share their most interesting recent discoveries." Chumby - WikipediaSMALT-The smart home device that elevates your dining experienceIntroducing Echo Look - Hands-Free Camera and Style AssistantIntroducing Echo Show - Amazon Official SitePaul Haddad on Twitter: "Introducing the Amazon Echo Show, for all those people who want a non-portable 7” $230 tablet! https://t.co/8iHwnzuHyb"Amazon.com: Invoxia Smart Portable Speaker with Amazon Alexa, Grey: Home Audio & TheaterAmazon.com: Invoxia Smart Portable Speaker with Amazon Alexa, Grey: Home Audio & TheaterTriby - Smart Portable Speaker with Alexa Voice ServiceSonos | Wireless Speakers and Home Sound SystemsAmazon.com:

TOPIC: Curiosity before fear. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the experience of Apple stores and repairs, The Handmaid's Tale, Dan's invertebrate-sensing skills, and some follow-up on "look left, go left." Listener Molly asks about how to become a morning person, and Listener Lance wants help with the anxiety of moving someplace new. Links for this episode:Dan's CBD Oil RecommendationBrought to you by: Casper (Visit Casper.com/itsyourshow and use the code ITSYOURSHOW for $50 towards your new mattress). Alibaba (Visit Gateway17.com/WORK to save 50% off the registration fee, while event passes last).

TOPIC: Velocity! This week Dan and Merlin talk about lice, Kenny Rogers, strange memory phenomena, an intriguing new oil, and popcorn nugs pricing. A question from Listener Ben leads to suggestions for finding velocity. Links for this episode:Desire path - Wikipedia"A Lie Agreed Upon: David Milch's Deadwood" | MZS | Roger EbertWhy Walking through a Doorway Makes You Forget - Scientific AmericanCan CBD Oil Help Cure Anxiety?Understanding The Differences Between Hemp and CannabisMenuRobert M. Pirsig - Wikipedia'Zen And The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' Author Robert M. Pirsig Dies At 88 : The Two-Way : NPRYesterdays WeatherDan's CBD Oil RecommendationBrought to you by: TextExpander (Visit textexpander.com/b2w to start your free trial). Blue Apron (Check out this week’s menu and get your first three meals FREE—with FREE SHIPPING—by going to BlueApron.com/backtowork. Flow (Visit getflow.com/bokbok to start a free trial today. Listeners of Back to Work will save 20% on a monthly p

TOPIC: Triangles Everywhere! This week, Dan and Merlin shuck and/or jive about stealing, Publix, airlines, driver’s ed, douchebagerié, Twitter bots, and more. Main topic this week is a question from Listener Brian about project management. Merlin expounds at length at this dark art and what it can teach us about life. Links for this episode:Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #16 — Merlin MannFacebook Fraud - YouTubeProject management triangle - WikipediaThe Project Management Triangle (called also Triple Constraint or the Iron Triangle) is a model of the constraints of project management. It is a graphic aid where the three attributes show on the corners of the triangle to show opposition. It is useful to help with intentionally choosing project biases, or analyzing the goals of a project. Critical path method - WikipediaResource leveling - WikipediaIn project management, resource leveling is defined by A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) as "A technique in which start and finish dates are

TOPIC: Oh my GOD, this is torture. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about—amongst other odds and sods— the Mean FedEx Guy, the weird future of gig economies, and Adventure Time. Then, there's some handy tips on how to leverage iOS Accessibility settings for a better and more efficient experience on your device. Listener Michelle writes in to ask about dealing with colleagues who use the hallway as an ad hoc one-on-one meeting. What strategies can we employ to be civil and collegial about careless interruptions without lowering our standards or losing our minds? Links for this episode:Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #16 — Merlin MannMERLIN MANN (Back to Work, Roderick on the Line, Reconcilable Differences, Do By Friday, You Look Nice Today, et al.) invites you to drop by Two Cats Comics on the evening of Thursday, April 27th to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.” It's free and it's fun. How to use Theater Mode on the Apple Watch | iMoreIncludes a great tip on making a bespoke theater-friendly custom watch

After some brief shucky-jivey, the boys resign themselves to discussing the big Apple announcement. They ponder why and how the message was delivered in the way it was as well as what it means. Dan has thoughts on modularization and Merlin reveals a new unified field theory. Then, yay, lots more responses to excellent questions from listeners. Links for this episode:Weezer - Paranoid Android - YouTubeUpgrade #135: Trashed The Can - Relay FMOccam's razor - WikipediaAmong competing hypotheses, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected John Scalzi on Twitter: "Courtesy of @joshtpm, a principle henceforth to be known as "Trump's Razor." https://t.co/YL8xZMJMMt https://t.co/7WwopC4pSe"The Ennoblement of Water | Do By FridayThis week's challenge: meditate like a venture capitalist. Amazon.com: Thoughts Without A Thinker: Psychotherapy from a Buddhist Perspective (9780465050949): Mark Epstein: BooksInsight Meditation Center: Insight Meditation CenterHome | dhammatalks.org5

After some very important follow-up, and more than a little shucking and jiving, your hosts answer questions from listeners. This is a good one! Links for this episode:Brian Regan - Stand Up Comedy Full HD - Best Comedian Ever - YouTubeBacon Ray - “Tomfoolery” 7-inch (AAJ Records, 1995)Source of that song "Sundays in a Row" AND the Back to Work closing theme. Download 'em for free! Hard Boiled Eggs | Wilcox FarmsObertoAmazon.com : Oberto All Natural Original Beef Jerky, 3.25-Ounce Bag (Pack of 4) : Jerky And Dried Meats : Grocery & Gourmet FoodAmazon.com: Epic - Epic Bars Variety Pack, 9 Flavors (9 Pack): Grocery & Gourmet FoodRadiohead - Ceremony (Joy Division cover) - YouTubeRadiohead play The Smiths - YouTubeBrought to you by: TextExpander (Visit textexpander.com/b2w to start your free trial). Blue Apron (Check out this week’s menu and get your first three meals FREE—with FREE SHIPPING—by going to BlueApron.com/backtowork.

This week, Dan and Merlin have one of their beloved "odds and sods" episodes. Something for everyone in this diverse and bewildering episode. "Same day delivery!" Links for this episode:Bacon Ray - “Tomfoolery” 7-inch (AAJ Records, 1995)Source of that song "Sundays in a Row" AND the Back to Work closing theme. Download 'em for free! Sorry for the Delayed Response - The New YorkerA Prairie Home Companion Highlights — OvercastGitHub - kdeldycke/awesome-falsehood: Curated list of falsehoods programmers believe in.Falsehoods Programmers BelieveFalsehoods programmers believe about addressesFalsehoods programmers believe about time: @noahsussman: Infinite UndoMr. ZIP - WikipediaComparing Family Life In New Zealand And The U.S. : NPRDear America | Scholastic.comThe OA - WikipediaLegion (TV series) - WikipediaAppliance Direct (@appliancedir) | TwitterPhonto - Text on PhotosOver – Add beautiful text & artwork to photos.Typorama - Typography Designer & Easy Graphics App - AppertoYour calendrical fallacy is thi

TOPIC: "Delivery Attempted." This week, Merlin struggles with his coffee-making options, and Dan recalls his days of fishing lures. USPS deliveries, several TV shows, and Wolverine's disturbing bone claws are also discussed. Listener Jackson writes in to ask about dealing with failings of self-discipline. Links for this episode:Stop Auto-Play Videos from Annoying You in Your Browser on macOS | KirkvilleOnline Grey Noise Generator | Hearing CalibratedSound of My Voice - WikipediaScott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) - IMDbpeg.gd: Bacon Ray - “Tomfoolery” 7-inch (AAJ Records, 1995)Great Performances: Hugh Jackman, "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top" | Oklahoma! | PBS - YouTubeOKLAHOMA "The Surrey With The Fringe On Top" with lyrics - YouTubeThe Birthday Party- Big Jesus Trash Can - YouTubeBrought to you by: Squarespace (Start your free trial site today, at Squarespace.com and when you sign up make sure to use the offer code ITSYOURSHOW to get 10% off your first purchase). eero (To get eero a

TOPIC: "Remember this film is supposed to be a comedy." This week: Dan struggles with his progressive lenses, but he really liked the movie, Logan. Merlin's daughter has made four piles, and he finally accepts that he really should be watching more movies for his "work." Then, there's follow-up on that crazy S3 typo and some pretty poor Oscars® OPSEC. Then we're on to answering listener feedback via two futurist hats and a parenting hat: Listener Andrew, on self-driving cars and the mainstreaming of ponderous tech punditry. Listener Jason, on whether a future of voice computing will become a sociopathic blight. Listener Mark, on where the heck to find reasonable resources on better parenting. Links for this episode:FUNNY New LeBron James Sprite Commercial with Lil Yachty 2016 - YouTubeOperations security - WikipediaReconcilable Differences - Relay FMReconcilable Differences #47: Now I Dream in French - Relay FMBrought to you by: Squarespace (Start your free trial site today, at Squarespace.com and whe

TOPIC: You can't perfect life. This week opens with the carnage of today's Amazon S3 problems and why so much of the internet seems broken. A brief history of outage monitoring is provided and a praxis for improving the process is proposed. Dan and Merlin debate what can be learned from how kids and other non-olds use technology "wrong." Should they be learning from us or should we be learning from them? This leads to some deeper ruminations on how we can choose to get better at doubting our own perceptions and correcting our own weird thinking. The future still isn't here yet—and that's kinda what makes it the future. After some discussion of mental health and creativity, the show pivots into yet more discussion of emerging technology, and how it consistently scares the crap out of people until…it just doesn't. Dan and Merlin wrap by answering a listener's question about whether it's better to be good at writing or at speaking. Links for this episode:Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #16 — Merlin MannMERLIN MANN (

TOPIC: You're living in the future! This week, Merlin is in a bit of a tizzy as he tries to make coffee, redo his ads, and change his productivity system at the same time. Todoist and the evolving landscape of task apps are discussed. Dan likes Trello and Merlin likes tearing everything down and maybe just starting over. iPhone call ID and blocking apps get the treatment and Merlin has some recommendations. Dan has some questions about comics, and the boys reminisce about The Simpsons. As you do. Things get a little dark as your hosts look at deploying web ad (and tracker) blocking as survival and safety OPSEC. This leads to the donning of Futurist Hats and some subsequent speculation about the unfathomable things we might expect from our devices in the coming years. Links for this episode:How to use trackpad mode on iPhone and iPad | iMoreUngainly X-Mann Meetup #15 — Merlin MannMERLIN MANN (Back to Work, Roderick on the Line, Reconcilable Differences, Do By Friday, You Look Nice Today, et al.) invites y

TOPIC: Alice hopes to hear from you. This week's episode is packed—literally, packed—with useful tips, tricks, and even a crazy challenge. Psyching yourself into falling asleep, learning how to breathe, using your iPhone's secret trackpad, and a gauntlet thrown (or maybe dropped?) to make yourself do everything with your voice for a day. Links for this episode:Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #15 — Merlin MannMERLIN MANN (Back to Work, Roderick on the Line, Reconcilable Differences, Do By Friday, You Look Nice Today, et al.) invites you to drop by Two Cats Comics on the evening of Thursday, February 23rd to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.” It's free and it's fun. Pogue’s Basics: The secret trackpad on the iPhone... - David PogueLittle by little, the iPhone is revealing its secret ambition to be a laptop. Mack Weldon | Men's Pima Long Sleeve - 100% Peruvian Pima CottonIrwin Tools 233250 Carpenter Pencil Sharpener - - Amazon.comEminem - The Real Slim Shady (Uncensored) - YouTubeThree Breathing Exer

TOPIC: My place is here—I fight with you! This week, Dan and Merlin cover a meetup announcement, Merlin's Les Mis obsession, Dan's new Hackintosh Method, and the Benjamin Family's slippery bar problem. Merlin advocates for "The Tiny Life Improvement Project." Pens and pencils are recommended, desks are discussed, and LBJ speaks out about his bespoke slack needs. The boys talk about the FTC's actions over Vizio's super-creepy user tracking, and wonder what questions to ask about the future of privacy on our smart devices. Things wrap with a quick discussion of culture-specific cargo culting and why we still cut the ends off the roast. Links for this episode:Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #15 — Merlin MannMERLIN MANN (Back to Work, Roderick on the Line, Reconcilable Differences, You Look Nice Today, et al.) invites you to drop by Two Cats Comics on the evening of Thursday, February 23rd to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.” It's free and it's fun. Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert - "One Day

TOPIC: Celebrating your successful failures. This week, Dan and Merlin kick off with discussion of night bears, the ascendance of Netflix, and some very nice emails from listeners. Merlin also shares an important life hack for Twitter. Merlin brings in a new thought technology via Jen Kirkman guesting on John Moe's wonderful podcast, The Hilarious World of Depression: learning how to talk back to the voices in your head. Dan gives some big updates to his (theoretical) project to build a (theoretical) Hackintosh. Huge week. Finally, Merlin shares a thought on how to potentially find success in your miniature failures. What happens when you decide to keep doing something not because you want to succeed at it…but just because it's a thing that you do? Links for this episode:B. F. Skinner - WikipediaThe Hilarious World of Depression | Podcast | APM PodcastsA show about clinical depression...with laughs? Well, yeah. 7: Jen Kirkman, Bad Therapy, Good Therapy, and Nuclear Invasion — The Hilarious World of Depres

TOPIC: Act like you're somebody that you like. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the evolution of voice recognition and touch interfaces and reminisce on the early days of making the turtle move. Dan brings in the topic of how fears of both failure and success lead to missed opportunities. Your hosts talk about how to track down the nagging bad feelings about these regrets and troubleshoot what we can learn from them. Merlin talks about recently returning to “Morning Pages,” what he’s learning from doing it, as well as some tips to help you get started with doing your own daily brain dump. Links for this episode:Morning Pages | Julia Cameron LiveMorning Pages are three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning. There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages– they are not high art. They are not even “writing.” They are about anything and everything that crosses your mind– and they are for your eyes only. Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and

TOPIC: Youth is the aberration. This week, Dan provides updates on his Hackintosh project, which leads to a discussion of finding reviews and advice with context. The hosts realize, acknowledge, and quickly move past their program’s 6th anniversary, spending more time on that drum sound Merlin makes with his mouth. Recent email pitches are discussed, and advice is offered on smarter ways to pitch strangers on practically anything. Merlin responds to a question from a listener about learning to find inspiration in the absence of crisis. Links for this episode:Mack Weldon | Men's Merino Long Sleeve - Our Custom Blend: Merino Wool and Natural TencelAmazon.com: Yeti Coolers Rambler Colster 12oz and Comes With Limited Edition Can: Amazon LaunchpadYETI | Rambler Colster® Beer Insulator5by5 | Back to Work #1: Alligator in the BathroomThe SweethomeHome | tonymacx86.comHow to Win Friends and Influence People - WikipediaSchoolhouse Rock- My Hero, Zero - YouTubePogue's Basics: Life: Essential Tips and Short

TOPIC: Reframing the conversation with yourself. This week, Merlin talks about his weird mortgage ads and compliments the literally fancy pants he got from the silver underpants people. Suggestions are offered for running a dehumidifier in a “smart home.” Dan and Merlin have a lot to say about terlets (hey, it’s been a while). Merlin shares a service for intelligently correlating personal tracking data, a listener has success with some B2W email advice, and another listener asks for tips on doing better self-talk. Dan shares his cool new project to build a Hackintosh. Links for this episode:LETTERHEADYExist.ioTrack everything in one place. Understand your life. AmazonSmile: 70-Pint Dehumidifier with Effortless Humidity Control, White: Home & KitchenAmazon.com: WeMo Insight Switch Smart Plug, Wi-Fi, Energy Monitoring, Works with Amazon Alexa: Cell Phones & AccessoriesAmazon.com: AcuRite 00613 Indoor Humidity Monitor: Home & KitchenEncore: Regina Spektor's New Album Reflects On Darker Side

TOPIC: This is a feeling I'm feeling. This week, your hosts look at the announcement of Dish's new Air TV box, along with the rapidly evolving landscape for cord-cutters. Also, fantasies of monk holes are entertained. The big topic this week is a discussion of a listener's question about the role of positive thinking. [This is a good one.] Links for this episode:Dish unveils a 4K Android TV streaming box with Netflix, Sling TV, and local channels - The Verge5by5 | Back to Work #304: The 2016 Compilation EpisodeThis is the Best of 2016 Compilation Episode, featuring your favorite moments of the show over the last 12 months. Each clip was suggested and submitted by you, our amazing listeners.Have a great new year! 5by5 | Back to Work #47: Utter Failure & Hotel SteakTOPIC: Resolving to skip the New Year's resolutions.In the last episode of 2011, Merlin and Dan talk about fresh starts and modest changes rather than rehearsing for sucking. You don't need a calendar to tell you to change. Whether you want to

This is the Best of 2016 Compilation Episode, featuring your favorite moments of the show over the last 12 months. Each clip was suggested and submitted by you, our amazing listeners. Have a great new year! Links for this episode:Jane Krakowski - WikipediaBrought to you by: FreshBooks (FreshBooks is offering a 30 day, unrestricted free trial. Just go to FreshBooks.com/backtowork and enter Back to Work in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section).