Back To Work

TOPIC: No one cares about your demo anymore. This week Dan & Merlin talk about realizing when life isn't all about you and getting better at learning how to say "thank you." Also, lots of great practical (and philosophical) suggestions for getting started with or back into comics. Links for this episode:Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #13 — 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, April 7th to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.” Amazon.com: How to Fall Forever (Black Science) (9781607069676): Rick Remender, Matteo Scalera, Dean White: BooksAmazon.com: Black Science, Vol. 2: Welcome, Nowhere (9781632150189): Rick Remender, Dean White, Matteo Scalera: BooksAmazon.com: Black Science, Vol. 3: Vanishing Pattern (9781632153951): Rick Remender, Matteo Scalera: BooksAmazon.com: Saga, Vol. 1 (9781607066019): Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples: BooksAmazon.com: Saga, Vol. 2

TOPIC: Staying out of Technology Detention This week, Dan and Merlin do another giant-size grabbag episode that covers a lot of ground, including: movies, kids, and ratings, oh my! better text editing on iPad, faster typing on iOS complexities of picking the right pairings of Apple devices what's up with apps not launching in iOS? Hound, and the future of voice-controlled computing staying provisionally joyful about the possibilities of new technology exploring Merlin's early experience with a Synology NAS Links for this episode:Tablo 2-Tuner Over-The-Air HDTV DVRAmazon.com: Synology Disk Station 2-Bay Diskless Network Attached Storage (DS216play): Computers & AccessoriesKids-In-Mind: Movie ratings & parents' reviews that actually workDeadpool [2016] [R] - 8.8.10The Big Lebowski [1998] - 5.5.10Finding Nemo [2003] [G] - 0.3.0The Big Lebowski (1998) - Alternate Versions - IMDbBig Lebowski - Edited For TV... Badly - YouTubeCanvas #5: Typing - Relay FMThis week Fraser and Federico dig into how t

TOPIC: That's Not How the Future Works. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about evolving technology culture, the weird landscape of semi-smart devices, and why Merlin does and kinda doesn't do Getting Things Done so much anymore. Links for this episode:Unjustly Maligned | "R.E.M., early" with Merlin Mann (Episode 48)On a day that shouldn’t exist comes a podcast equally paradoxical. Merlin Mann joins Antony to sit still, garden at night, and talk about the passion of rock band R.E.M.’s early work. Notes from Japan — MediumMy trip to Japan was preceded by a truly neurotic amount of research and preparation. I am an anxious traveler (before this trip I became very concerned with precisely which bowls of ramen I should eat, and on which days), but fortunately I was able to channel some of my nervous energy into gathering advice from people who have actually spent time in Japan and know what they’re talking about. LiarTownUSATerrible real estate agent photographsRich Kids Of Instagram70s Sci-Fi Art: atomic

TOPIC: Grab Bag. This week, Dan and Merlin cover the waterfront. This wide-ranging episode covers lots of listener feedback, corrections of egregious errors, D&D alignment, the danger of guessing why people are how they are, some fun Tumblr recommendations, considering the yak-shaving ordeal of time-shifting broadcast TV, plus further discussion of last week's topic re: kids and computer access. Links for this episode:Ed Brubaker - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia“Did You Lose the Keys Here?” “No, But the Light Is Much Better Here” | Quote InvestigatorHDHomeRun CONNECT - US - Watch Streaming TV AnywhereAmazon.com: SiliconDust HDHomeRun CONNECT. FREE broadcast HDTV (2-Tuner): Computers & AccessoriesChannels — Live TV on your Apple TVCaptain America by Ed Brubaker (Reading Order)Captain America Reading Order | Brubaker, Winter Soldier, More! | Comic Book HeraldSpider-Man and His Amazing Friends - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaEpisode 10: There's An Old Guy Going Crazy On This Hotdog | Top Scallo

TOPIC: Epistemology and Parenting as Dumpster Fire This week, Dan and Merlin end up talking a lot about what they don't know and how they know they don't know it. The biases, errors, and frames that make us feel wiser than we probably are. Sometimes it pays to learn how to be a dummy. Also, Dan learns what a "film projector" is. Links for this episode:Heraclitus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaPottermore Sorting Hat QuizAmulet (comics) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaEveryone’s offended these days / fuzzy notepadI love Stephen Fry, really I do, but this oft-repeated quote is bullshit and he is perfectly demonstrating why that is. What he’s really saying is this: everyone else’s feelings don’t matter, but his do, because he frames them as universal rules of discourse rather than feelings. Merlin Mann (@hotdogsladies) | TwitterToo many people have peed in the pool - Official site of Stephen FrySnapchat like the teensBecket (1964 film) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaReconcilable Differences #19: Four T

TOPIC: Feelings, Slide Rules, and The Franklin Test This week Merlin hasn't had enough coffee and may have early-onset toxoplasmosis, so he and Dan respond to great feedback from listeners, mostly on feeling feelings. Links for this episode:High-grade Amazing Fantasy #15 Anchors Heritage February Comics & Comic Art Auction - In The NewsThree Ring Binder Tickets, Multiple Dates | EventbriteTHREE RING BINDERMerlin Mann and Scott Simpson talk to each other and to you. "Maybe My Brain Wasn't As OK As I Thought It Was": Daniel Bryan Explains Concussions-Driven Retirement On WWE RawAmazon.com - Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0 Ultra Quiet HEPA Air Purifier (SPA-550A) - Hepa Filter Air PurifiersEnemy of the State (film) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaThe Conversation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaRosey Grier - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaGrier served as a bodyguard for his friend, United States senator and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy. He was guarding Ethel Kennedy, the Senator's wife,

TOPIC: Information, Context, and Courage. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the reaction to last week's episode about work and identity and respond to follow-up questions from listeners. Also, Merlin buys a faucet. Links for this episode:5by5 | Back to Work #256: Every Minute Weighs the SameTOPIC: Coder, Kayaker, Father, Person.This week, Dan and Merlin talk about Dan's attempt to vastly rejigger his schedule in the interest of mental and physical health.This leads to a long discussion of work, identity, expectations, and choosing which of the voices in your head to listen to and when. Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #12 — 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 4th to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.” Toy Box | Disney Infinity - United StatesTokusatsu - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaSleep++ on the App StoreStewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle - Wikip

TOPIC: Coder, Kayaker, Father, Person. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about Dan's attempt to vastly rejigger his schedule in the interest of mental and physical health. This leads to a long discussion of work, identity, expectations, and choosing which of the voices in your head to listen to and when. Links for this episode:Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #12 — Merlin MannCostumed character - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaZentai - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaUltraman - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaCortex #21: The E-Myth Revisited - Relay FMAbe Vigoda, Sunken-Eyed Character Actor, Dead at 94 - ABC NewsParis syndrome - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJerusalem syndrome - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaThe Talk Show: Ep. 143, With Special Guest Merlin MannMerlin Mann returns to the show. Topics include Winter Storm Jonas, the politics of sick kids, sweating out a fever, people going insane over the rumors that the next iPhones will omit the standard headphone jack, the seven-hour The Godfather Epic, and more.

TOPIC: Say something funny. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about entertainment as a career and how difficult it can be to know whether you're suited for it. Plus, discussions of X-Men, San Francisco's collapse, and the best way to get vomit out of the bathroom sink. Links for this episode:Zentangle |Amazon.com: Design Originals, Joy Of Zentangle (0023863053983): Marie Browning CZT, Suzanne McNeill CZT, Sandy Bartholomew: BooksStudio Series Artist's Tiles: White (75 pack): Peter Pauper Press: 9781441316318: Amazon.com: BooksAmazon.com: Sakura 50011 11-Piece Zentangle Clamshell Pencil SetWatch David Bowie: Five Years | HuluStewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaStewart Lee - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaYou Look Nice Today - “Parlor Parlor” (XOXO 2015) on VimeoYou Look Nice Today - Layers 2015 on VimeoJim Lee - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia5by5 | Pipeline Classic #14: Jesse ThornPaul Smith (comics) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaUngainly X-Mann Meetup #12 — Merlin Ma

TOPIC: Budgeting the Primary Secondary Project This week, Dan and Merlin do a deep dive on a very old and very thorny topic: managing time. Thing is: this is not about bookkeeping—it's about accounting. Being honest, humble, and diligent in mindfully applying your time and seeing how it went. (This is a good one.) Links for this episode:Fixed point in time - Tardis - WikiaFixed points in time were moments in the space-time continuum at which events were set in stone and could never, ever be changed, no matter what, with dire consequences if such a thing happened. Banking time - BobulateWhile we’re taught the value of saving money, we’re never really taught the value of saving time. Not saving time so we are more efficient elsewhere, but actually banking time. Saving it for later. 5by5 | Back to Work #47: Utter Failure & Hotel SteakTOPIC: Resolving to skip the New Year's resolutions. 5by5 | Back to Work #48: An Abrupt Existential JerkTOPIC: How habits get made.  Rogue Amoeba | Loopback: Cable-Free Audio

TOPIC: Elephants all the way down. This week, Dan and Merlin do a deep dive on communication, perception, persuasion, empathy, and understanding, as illustrated by everything from The Force Awakens to Don LaPre to PR emails to Donald Trump to a variety of elephants—plus a famous photo of a man and the fake dead triceratops he supposedly killed. Links for this episode:Tailopez.comTai Lopez - YouTubexkcd: Duty CallsFour-quadrant movie - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaHow Donald Trump Answers A Question - YouTubeLambos!"i bumped into a LAMBORGHINI and another LAMBORGHINI and a few more LAMBORGHINIS" Don't Think of an Elephant!: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate--The Essential Guide for Progressives: George Lakoff, Howard Dean, Don Hazen: 9781931498715: Amazon.com: BooksDon Lapre - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaDon Lapre Sells Tiny Classified Ads - YouTubeJoyce Carol Oates and that picture of Steven Spielberg with a 'dead' dinosaur | Books | The GuardianBlind men and an elephant - Wikipedia

TOPIC: Something something the things we own. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the way shopping changes how we buy stuff—and how buying is changing what we can actually shop for. Then, there's a ruminative discussion of the Mast Brothers chocolate dust-up and what it might say about our sense of story, identity, and "authenticity." Links for this episode:What the Mast Brothers Scandal Tells Us About Ourselves - EaterOne of the ascendant virtues of the new culinary landscape is the murky, poorly defined quality of authenticity. It's an idea that means wildly different things depending on who's saying it and what they're applying it to, but in all circumstances it boils down to a fundamental notion of quality by fiat: if something is authentic, it is necessarily good. Authenticity implies a purity of history, a purity of purpose — in short, if something is authentic, it isn't enjoyed because we've been barraged with external indicators that have instructed us to enjoy it Milgram experiment - Wikipedia, th

TOPIC: Maybe quit being so "busy." This week, Dan and Merlin drop a lot of science on the miraculous taxonomies of Judaica. Mazel Tov! For the big topic, Merlin launches into an animated jeremiad on words meaning things, with a focus on being terminally "busy" versus being willfully "time-constrained." Links for this episode:Conceptual metaphor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaAmazon.com: Metaphors We Live By (9780226468013): George Lakoff, Mark Johnson: BooksHTTPS Everywhere | Electronic Frontier FoundationMiracles of the SaintsMiracle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaAmazon.com: uni-ball Signo 207 Retractable Gel Pens, Micro Point, Blue Ink, 12-Pack (61256): Office ProductsAmazon.com: Palomino Blackwing 602 - 12 Count: Office ProductsAmazon.com : Blackwing Long Point Sharpener : Pencil Sharpeners : Office ProductsAmazon.com: Kum AS2, Two Hole Automatic Long Point Pencil Sharpener, Mfg Part Number 1053021 ( extra lids not included )Coastline paradox - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaBinding of Isaac - Wi

TOPIC: Sunrise, Sunset. This week, Dan and Merlin celebrate their 250th episode with an extensive discussion of McDonaldland and its horrific culture and citizenry. The main topic addresses the ““sunsetting”” of the Mailbox iOS app—and what it highlights about deciding where to put our stuff, what apps we choose to use, and what contingency plans it's probably wise to have in place. Links for this episode:Saying goodbye to Carousel and Mailbox | | Dropbox BlogDropbox Kills Mailbox, an App It Bought for $100M | WIREDUpgrade #66: Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good Apps? - Relay FMCrazy WallsOur Incredible JourneyPutting the ack! in acquihire Phil Gyford (@philgyford) | TwitterTop Scallops - Top Chef PodcastEp. 182: "House Trotter" - Roderick on the Line - Merlin MannYou Look Nice Today - "Parlor Parlor" (XOXO 2015) on VimeoRecorded live on stage at XOXO Fest in Portland, Oregon in September, 2015. Coulrophobia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaA specific fear of clowns has sometimes been dis

TOPIC: Personal Crazy Walls This week, Dan and Merlin start by covering a lot of things that you might actually be thinking of. The meat of the episode focuses on a listener question about deciding what things go where—leading to a pretty nerdy exegesis of Notes vs. text files, reminders vs. task managers, and where stuff goes vs. where it probably should go. Links for this episode:Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #11 — 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, December 3rd to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.” There's a Hole in My Sidewalk Quotes by Portia NelsonKobayashi Maru - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaAmazon.com: Panasonic NN-SD681S Stainless 1200W 1.2 Cu. Ft. Countertop/Built-in Microwave with Inverter Technology: Countertop Microwave Ovens: Kitchen & DiningCaptain America: Civil War - Trailer World Premiere - YouTubeAltered States - Wikipedia, t

TOPIC: More Songs About Buildings and Food This week, Dan and Merlin talk about transitions, microwave ovens, air conditioning, and the likelihood of salmonella. Links for this episode:Amazon.com: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values (9780060589462): Robert M. Pirsig: BooksDiscipline of Do Easy by Gus Van Sant - YouTubeThe discipline of DE (do easy) - MELANCHOLIA.Homer's Enemy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaFood Safety TalkFood Safety Talk 79: You’re Into Botulism Country (with Merlin Mann) — Food Safety TalkMerlin Mann joins Don and Ben for a discussion on food safety and cooking using science at home. Brought to you by: TextExpander (Visit SmileSoftware.com/b2w to download a free demo of TextExpander and improve your communication today). Freshbooks (Visit the link to try FreshBooks free for 30 days and enter 'Back to Work' in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section during sign up).

TOPIC: A Mark on a Page This week, Dan and Merlin kick off by talking about Dan's recent interview with "Weird Al" and how he's such an interesting harbinger of changing times for media and platforms. Next, Merlin responds to a listener's question about how he uses a notebook, which leads to an extended dissertation on how to ruin your notebook in the best way possible. Nothing doesn't go in here. Links for this episode:5by5 | The Ihnatko Almanac #161: Project DonewayOn the eve of the finale of "Project Runway," Andy and special guest Merlin Mann talk about Season 14. Along the way, they talk about creativity, working under pressure, and the differences between how one processes failure in their Twenties and failure in their Forties. "Weird Al" Yankovic - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaMandatory Fun - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaMandatory Fun - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaThe Many Loves of Howard Hughes: Katharine Hepburn, 1938 (YMRT #11) — Karina LongworthChris Hardwick - Wikipedia, the

TOPIC: Medieval or Renaissance? This week, Dan and Merlin start out by helping listeners learn to identify the subtle differences between all things Renaissance and Medieval. The remainder of the show is split between an in-depth introduction to the Plex media ecosystem, and a philosophical and practical meditation on choosing how to spend a given day. Links for this episode:Amazon.com: Das Keyboard 4 Professional for Mac, Clicky (DASK4MACCLI): Computers & AccessoriesA Scottish historian on Brave | Film | The GuardianWhich era does 'Game of Thrones' most resemble from history?Steampunk - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaCinderella Castle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaRobin Hood - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaMiddle Ages - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaRenaissance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[VIDEO] John Cleese on Creativity - YouTubeMedia Preparation – PlexCloak VPN - Cloak - Super-simple VPNJohn-Cleese-on-Creativity/Transcript.markdown at master · tjluoma/John-Cleese-on-Creativi

TOPIC: First impressions of the new Apple TV This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the triumphs and travails of their first few days with the fourth generation Apple TV. Links for this episode:New Apple TV: Tips, Tricks, Siri Remote Shortcuts and Useful Settings - Mac RumorsTo complement our coverage of the new Apple TV, which includes a trio of hands-on videos, an Apple TV apps roundup, several tidbits, and a reviews roundup, we have created the following list of tips, tricks, and shortcuts for the new streaming device, some of which are outlined in the Apple TV user guide. The tips are centered upon useful Siri Remote shortcuts and Apple TV settings. Brought to you by: lynda (Visit lynda.com/backtowork to get free 10-day trial access to their 3,000+ courses). Casper (Go and get $50 toward any mattress purchase by visiting Casper.com/BackToWork and use the code BACKTOWORK).

TOPIC: You are who you choose to be. This week Dan and Merlin talk about making buying decisions, dealing with unsolicited email, preventing stupid from sticking to you, and finding systems that may or may not work. Links for this episode:Travel Basket Key Tray and Wallet Valet by Red Oxx MfgIt's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff: Peter Walsh: 9780743292658: Amazon.com: BooksBEST Haka EVER on HD - All Blacks Haka - Rugby World Cup Final 2011 Vs. France - YouTubeBullseye with Jesse Thorn: Brad Bird & Ernie Isley | Maximum FunFTC Unveils New E-mail Address for Deceptive Spam: Spam@uce.gov | Federal Trade CommissionKnoll (verb) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaKnolling is the process of arranging related objects in parallel or 90-degree angles as a method of organization. The Fake Traffic Schemes That Are Rotting the Internet - Bloomberg BusinessMarketers thought the Web would allow perfectly targeted ads.Hasn’t worked out that way. Its All Too Much | 43 FoldersThe Hi