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Episode 283: Cognition to Completion Aug 02, 2016

Show notes

This week, Dan and Merlin continue their series on updates, talking about the evolution of electronic task management in their lives. Hint: simplify, simplify.

Links for this episode:

Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #14 — Merlin Mann
MERLIN 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, August 4th to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.”
How Exhaustion Became a Status Symbol | New Republic
"From sloth to burnout, each age remakes exhaustion in its own image."
Hey Siri
"Hey-Siri.io is a large list of commands you can use on your iOS and macOS Devices. We're still working to improve the site and add more commands to the list."
Dig the 60s
A blog dedicated to the grooviest decade of the 20th century.
Retro Sci-Fi
A new Markdown Service Tool for easy MultiMarkdown tables - BrettTerpstra.com
Adam WarRock "Gravity Falls" [Gravity Falls Theme] - YouTube
Adam WarRock, Adam WarRock “Gravity Falls" Lyrics: Me & Dipper...
Pop! | Funko
Jeff Bridges more than happy to play The Dude again in Big Lebowski sequel | News | Culture | The Independent
Voyager Golden Record - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An Idiot Abroad - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Detectorists - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
TaskPaper – Plain text to-do lists for Mac
Key elements of Sprint Retrospective - Scrum Alliance
Monterey Bay Aquarium – Official Site

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Episode 282: Boring and Yet Wonderful Jul 26, 2016

Show notes

TOPIC: Orinoco Flow

This week, Dan and Merlin continue their series on updates, focusing on the difference between the days before and after ubiquitous wifi.

Also, lots of fun odds and sods on Scrivener and surviving summer with kids.

Links for this episode:

Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #14 — Merlin Mann
MERLIN 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, August 4th to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.”
Vintage Geek Culture
Microsoft to rip up P2P Skype, killing native Mac, Linux apps • The Register
Literature and Latte - Scrivener Writing Software | macOS | Windows | iOS
Typewriter. Ring-binder. Scrapbook. Scrivener combines all the writing tools you need to craft your first draft, from nascent notion to final full stop.
Clockwise #146: Marvel Has Killed Me - Relay FM
Reading comics digitally, smart home confusion, Twitter verification, and teaching programming.
Foldify
Create 3D figures on iPad. Then print and fold them from paper.
Wi-Fi Networking News
Amazon.com: Epson WorkForce 845 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer, Copier, Scanner, Fax, iOS/Tablet/Smartphone/AirPrint Compatible (C11CB92201): Electronics
Welcome | PVRblog

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Episode 281: The Mayor of Chocolate Sundaes Jul 19, 2016

Show notes

TOPIC: Way of the future.

This week, Dan and Merlin continue their discussion on updates to their systems and their productivity worlds. In particular: how have new technologies and critical masses of users led to wanting or needing fewer intermediary communications layers?

For years, email was more than just the lingua franca; it was that one internet communication protocol that every user could be counted upon to have and use.

But, today? Options, baby, options! Sometimes for worse, but, so often, for much better.

Links for this episode:

Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #14 — Merlin Mann
MERLIN 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, August 4th to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.”
Allergic to life: the Arizona residents 'sensitive to the whole world' | US news | The Guardian
It was decided that the best way to get us straight from the car into the shower, where we could wash the outside world’s chemicals away, was to enter the house completely naked. So we took off our clothes and marched without dignity across the gravel driveway.
Rocket—faster emoji for your Mac
Critical mass (sociodynamics) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In social dynamics, critical mass is a sufficient number of adopters of an innovation in a social system so that the rate of adoption becomes self-sustaining and creates further growth.
Network effect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In economics and business, a network effect (also called network externality or demand-side economies of scale) is the effect that one user of a good or service has on the value of that product to other people.
calibre - E-book management
Amazon Alexa
When you buy music from the Digital Music Store, you can immediately play it from your music library. You can also import songs to your Amazon Music library and play it on your Alexa device. Eligible Prime members can also listen to Prime Music.
Build and cultivate your own community - Ning.com
Reconcilable Differences #29: Six Fax Machines - Relay FM
Merlin Mann on Twitter: "My Parks & Recreation Primer: Start with: s02e07 (Greg Pikitis) Best Ep: s04e11 ("Get on Your Feet!") Sentimental Fave: s07e11 (Goodbyes)"
My Parks & Recreation Primer:
Start with: s02e07 (Greg Pikitis)
Best Ep: s04e11 ("Get on Your Feet!")
Sentimental Fave: s07e11 (Goodbyes)
Free ebooks by Project Gutenberg - Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg offers over 50,000 free ebooks: choose among free epub books, free kindle books, download them or read them online.
Category:Social networking services - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
List of defunct social networking websites - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Warez scene - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Junecloud
Learning the bash Shell, 3rd Edition - O'Reilly Media
"Parks and Recreation" Greg Pikitis (2009)

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Episode 280: The Big Filter Jul 12, 2016

Show notes

TOPIC: Updates on Productivity and a modern Kobayashi Maru Scenario

This week, Dan and Merlin start a new series on updates. Which sounds really boring, but it isn't, we swear.

This time out, the boys start by diving deep on how and why just so much of their productivity systems have changed over the years. Innumerable ways in which technology and life has evolved to where so many of the old systems seem fiddly, unnecessary, or both.

[This is a good one.]

Links for this episode:

Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #14 — Merlin Mann
MERLIN 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, August 4th to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.”
The Hill on Twitter: "FBI gives up on DB Cooper case after 45-year investigation https://t.co/whFdDCloni https://t.co/OZD2o7RVNn"
Every Second Counts: The Movie
Fittest On Earth 2015: Documentary Trailer - YouTube
Fittest On Earth: Now Available on iTunes | CrossFit Games
Fastball (2016) - IMDb
Irredeemable - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Irredeemable: Volume 1: Mark Waid, Peter Krause, John Cassaday, Grant Morrison: 9781934506905: Amazon.com: Books
Amazon.com: Hawkeye, Vol. 1: My Life as a Weapon (Marvel NOW!) (0880789539393): Matt Fraction, David Aja, Javier Pulido: Books
Amazon.com: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns 30th Anniversary Edition (9781401263119): Frank Miller: Books
Cortex #33: Cortek - Relay FM
Grey has finished conferencing, Myke's ready to give advice, and they both are upset with Evernote.
You aren't gonna need it - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kobayashi Maru - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
yak shaving - Wiktionary
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) - Rotten Tomatoes
Mac Power Users #132: Merlin Returns - Relay FM
Returning for his annual appearance, Merlin Mann joins Katie and David to talk Evernote, GTD, iPad, Podcasting and his favorite Apps.
Tinderbox: The Tool For Notes
Smart information management and web research for Mac - DEVONtechnologies
Zengobi - Curio - Note Taking, Mind Mapping, Brainstorming, and Task Management for Mac OS X

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Episode 279: The Fishery Loophole Jul 05, 2016

Show notes

TOPIC: …and, then what happens?

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the unexpected cognitive benefits of ritual, repetition, and thinking through the fascinating question: "…and, then what happens?"

Links for this episode:

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Squarespace (Visit Squarespace.com/backtowork and use the code ITSYOURSHOW for a free trial and 10% off your first purchase).
Wealthfront (Visit Wealthfront.com/5by5 to get your first $15,000 managed for free).

Episode 278: Yelling at an Idea Jun 28, 2016

Show notes

TOPIC: People, amirite?

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the complexities of communicating with each other. And, brother, is it ever complicated.

Links for this episode:

Blood Meridian Audiobook | Cormac McCarthy | Audible.com
The Butterfield Diet (Peter Serafinowicz) - YouTube
Geek Feminism Wiki - Wikia
Resources for allies - Geek Feminism Wiki - Wikia
Fox News host Bret Baier “grills” the Dalai Lama: “Have you ever seen the movie ‘Caddyshack’?” - Salon.com
Apple doesn't understand photography
Language in Thought and Action - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Episode 430: Black Market Pharmacies And The Spam Empire Behind Them : Planet Money : NPR
On today's show, we have answers. Yes, people click on those links. Smart, sound-minded people are choosing to buy pharmaceuticals through black market pharmacies that spam them and just about everyone with an inbox. And those sound-minded people are happy to tell you how it worked out for them, right down to the odd packaging that shows up in their mailbox.
North Beach tenant's rent increased from $1,800 to $8,000 a month - SFGate
Neil Hutchinson, who has lived in the building at Columbus and Scotland streets for six years, has been hit with a rent increase of 344 percent. Flash plugin failed to load
This is Water - David Foster Wallace - YouTube

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Episode 277: Everything's Hard Jun 21, 2016

Show notes

TOPIC: Varieties of pain.

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about Dan's progress on building fireside.io and its imminent beta release. Lots of fascinating details on why he's made it and who it might be great for.

Then, there's discussion of the unexpected mental benefits of physical training, and the influence that various sorts of pain (real or imagined) can have on us.

Links for this episode:

Lying in repose - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shop Tommy Bahama | TommyBahama.com
Fireside - Podcast hosting and analytics by podcasters for podcasters
War dialing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
5by5 | Back to Work #153: Anxiety's a Goat
Ninety-ninety rule - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"The first 90 percent of the code accounts for the first 90 percent of the development time. The remaining 10 percent of the code accounts for the other 90 percent of the development time."
Unattended Consequences
Merlin Mann on Twitter: "If you want to learn what someone fears losing, watch what they photograph."

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Episode 276: Do You Even Lift? Jun 14, 2016

Show notes

TOPIC: Merlin's never sent his heartbeat.

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about some of this week's WWDC announcements, the past and future of Apple, and that awkward feeling of wondering whether and when new technology is personally relevant.

Links for this episode:

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Casper (Visit Casper.com/backtowork and use the code BACKTOWORK for $50 towards your new mattress).
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Episode 275: The Lies of Big Shoe Jun 07, 2016

Show notes

TOPIC: Fill one bag.

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about our relationship with the stuff in our lives and how overwhelming it can be. Solutions are offered—throw out that old cinnamon!

Links for this episode:

The Talk Show ?: Ep. 156, With Special Guest Merlin Mann
Merlin Mann returns to the show to talk about artificial intelligence and Eddy Cue’s flip-flops.
comiXology Unlimited
It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff: Peter Walsh: 9780743292658: Amazon.com: Books
Hamilton - Official Broadway Site
Amazon.com: StarTech.com USBHAUBMB3 3 Feet USB to Micro USB and Mini USB Combo Cable - A to B: Electronics
You Must Remember This
Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording) by Various Artists on iTunes
Handycam - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
SKWM T-shirt
Best Enjoyed By - 99% Invisible
Cortex #12: The Rule of Two - Relay FM

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FreshBooks (For a 30 day free trial, just go to FreshBooks.com/backtowork and enter Back To Work in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section).

Episode 274: A Goat in the Pipe May 31, 2016

Show notes

TOPIC: Disruptions in Service

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about that ineffable but growing feeling of disconnection from the collections we used to treasure. Music, Photos, Movies, Books—all the stuff we increasingly entrust to The Cloud.

Seems like there's a weird confluence of changing culture and buggy technology that makes us feel sadly meh about making everything work. And that feels weird.

Also? Don't be Randyll Tarly. That guy's a total choad.

Links for this episode:

Roller Coasters & Thrill Rides | Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Montu Inverted Roller Coaster | Busch Gardens Tampa
Kumba Roller Coaster | Busch Gardens Tampa
Medusa Steel Coaster - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Six Flags Great Adventure
Rocksteady - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Apple May Introduce Next-Gen Natural Language API in its Amazon Echo Competitor - Mac Rumors
Pessimists Archive (@PessimistsArc) | Twitter
Pessimistic reactions to technologies throughout history
New for 2016 at Six Flags Great Adventure
On this new unbelievable adventure, you'll soar outside the confines of the track in wing cars facing other riders. You'll take an elevator-style lift straight up 120 feet in the air. When you reach the top, you'll begin to tumble head-over-heels, free-falling down two beyond 90-degree raven drops and experiencing at least six weightless flips.
SUPERMAN: Ultimate Flight | Six Flags Great Adventure
You’ll ride the way Superman flies—face down and head first. This is the ultimate way to experience the challenge of the mind-ripping new legend, the pretzel loop! Once you clear the first ten story drop, you’ll fly into this totally innovative loop design, which is really two inversions in one. You can tell from the name of the pretzel loop that you’ll be more than slightly twisted by this warped track!
parental controls settings won't save | Apple Support Communities
Home Internet Security | OpenDNS
The Beast (roller coaster) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Beast is a wooden roller coaster located at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio. When it opened in 1979, it was the tallest, fastest, and longest wooden roller coaster in the world.[1] The Beast is still the longest wooden coaster in the world and the longest roller coaster in the US. It spans more than 35 acres (14 ha) utilizing the surrounding terrain for many of its elements. It also features a lengthy ride time that lasts more than four minutes.[2]
Kings Island - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brady Bunch at Kings Island 1973 pop up video - YouTube
The Racer (Kings Island) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Racer is often recognized with being a vital part of the roller coaster renaissance of the 1970s, generally referred to as the industry's second golden age.
Reconcilable Differences - Relay FM
John Siracusa and Merlin Mann try to figure out exactly how they got this way.
Merlin Mann on Twitter: "Somehow my iTunes Match copy of "The Black Album" is now the Clean Version. I can't even tell what one of my 99 Problems isn't. Jiminy."
Somehow my iTunes Match copy of "The Black Album" is now the Clean Version.
I can't even tell what one of my 99 Problems isn't.

Jiminy.
MusicBrainz - The Open Music Encyclopedia
MusicBrainz is an open music encyclopedia that collects music metadata and makes it available to the public.
MusicBrainz Picard
Picard is a cross-platform music tagger written in Python. Download Picardv1.3.2 for OS X 10.7
The Paragons - "The Tide Is High" (Official Audio) - YouTube
The Paragons original, seminal Rock Steady version of 'The Tide Is High', as later successfully covered by Blondie and Atomic Kitten.
I Made You a Mixtape – MacStories
I've always loved the idea of someone else making a mixtape for me.
In Praise of the A-List - Six Colors
The A-List playlists, curated by smart music editors for each genre and updated regularly under Apple Music’s New tab, are my single favorite feature of the service.

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