Back to Work

DISCUSSED: Dan and Merlin take a first look at Apple's recently-announced iOS and iPadOS updates. Links for this episode:iPad Keyboards - ApplePaul Verhoeven - WikipediaSecure, Fast & Private Web Browser with Adblocker | Brave BrowserAmazonSmile : Arlo Pro 3 – Wire-Free Security 2 Camera System | 2K with HDR, Indoor/Outdoor, Color Night Vision, Spotlight, 160° View, 2-Way Audio, Siren | Works with Alexa | (VMS4240P) : Camera & PhotoWWDC 2020 Special Event Keynote — Apple - YouTubeBrought to you by: Zendesk (Get your free 6 months today by visiting Zendesk.com/backtowork). Feals (Become a member today by going to Feals.com/backtowork and you'll get 50% off your first order with free shipping).

DISCUSSED: Merlin is nauseated, and Dan has advice on what you definitely should or should not buy at a gas station; Merlin says he'll be brief, but, as usual, it turns into a real stem-winder as…; Merlin addresses the complexity of treating mental illness in a way that doesn't upend your body and life; Dan needs some TV show recommendations, but has very strong feelings about talking animals; Merlin wonders aloud if he's ever met @Darth; case close. Links for this episode:5by5 | Back to Work #3: The Second ArrowMerlin Mann and Dan Benjamin discuss ADD, Buddhism, mindfulness, concentration, and insight. darth™ (@darth) / TwitterDSM-5 Criteria for ADHD – ADD Resource CenterADHD DSM-5® Criteria | Diagnostic Criteria for ADHDDepression and anxiety spike among black Americans after George Floyd's death - The Washington PostBrought to you by: Zendesk (Get your free 6 months today by visiting Zendesk.com/backtowork).

DISCUSSED: Dan and Merlin talk about hot dogs. Links for this episode:Uncured Beef Frankfurters (Natural Casing) | Boar's HeadProducts - Hot Dogs - ApplegatePRODUCTS « KahnsDonate - Howard Brown Health"Howard Brown was established on the premise that healthcare in the LGBTQ community should be a readily accessible right, not a luxury – that those who lack the privilege of adequate health coverage or access to competent medical providers should be able to find care in a confidential and supportive environment." Does Bond’s product placement go too far? - BBC CultureMaria Bamford’s One-Hour Homemade Christmas Special! on VimeoVINTAGE 1967 ARMOUR HOT DOGS COMMERCIAL - KIDS MARCHING & SINGING - YouTubeTo Differentiate: High Ceilings and Low Floors |PredictIt: Search ResultsBrought to you by: Feals (Become a member today by going to Feals.com/backtowork and you'll get 50% off your first order with free shipping). Memberful (Memberful is the easiest way to sell memberships to your audience, used by the biggest creators on the web. Sign-up for FREE by visiting the link).

DISCUSSED: not everything can be everything; pain accumulates; getting weepy about a cool teacher; expanding on our new thought technology for reframing negative thoughts and feelings; abstracting that new thought technology to tons of different endeavors; why won't they just let me win this video game?; the scissors and Scotch Tape are wherever you left them; the joys of ritual and control; the importance of infrastructure; break the big thing into a bunch of little things; Merlin performs a brief recitation of Back to Work's Greatest Hits; please cut up my food for me please; theme dining nights rule; praise for Daniel Kahneman; it used to be so confusing when TV shows had inside film and outside film. Links for this episode:5by5 | Back to Work #479: Use or AvoidDan Columbos Merlin with a question about napping, which leads to some surprising insights on our feelings about success and failure. Thinking, Fast and Slow - WikipediaFawlty Towers - Wikipedia"Fair is…"Penny Arcade - News - Dear DiarySo I’ve always worried about things. I also always knew that most of the time there was nothing to worry about. For me it wasn’t even just worrying about something. I understand that everyone worries. The best way I can describe it is "Chain worrying." 5by5 | Back to Work #3: The Second ArrowMerlin Mann and Dan Benjamin discuss ADD, Buddhism, mindfulness, concentration, and insight. Laozi - WikiquoteA journey of a thousand miles started with a first step. Rocky & Philadelphia Morning - YouTubeBird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life: Lamott, Anne: 8601404243813: AmazonSmile: Books"The first draft is the child's draft, where you let it all pour out and then let it romp all over the place, knowing that no one is going to see it and that you can shape it later." The Men Who Started a Thinking Revolution (Ep. 271) - Freakonomics FreakonomicsStarting in the late 1960s, the Israeli psychologists Amos Tversky and Danny Kahneman began to redefine how the human mind actually works. Michael Lewis’s new book The Undoing Project explains how the movement they started — now known as behavioral economics — has had such a profound effect on academia, governments, and society at large. Think Fast with Daniel Kahneman | Hidden Brain : NPRWe found our own mistakes very funny. What was fun was finding yourself about to say something really stupid. CaddyShack Cinderella Story - YouTubeThe War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles: Pressfield, Steven, Coyne, Shawn: 8601420220232: Amazon.com: BooksOne Zoom to Rule Them All | Reunited Apart LORD OF THE RINGS Edition - 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).

DISCUSSED: Skype struggles; nobody likes parsnips; Dan remotely teaches Merlin to cut his own hair; Dan introduces a new game show, and Merlin is dealing with poop; life is not currently optimized for multiple-event days; Merlin challenges you to remember when exactly eight minutes has gone by; why we'll eventually each discover what the hell happened on our personal Galápagos; the exhaustion of Zoom calls; an omnibus recommendation related to movies; finally, Dan Columbos Merlin with a question about napping, which leads to some surprising insights on our feelings about success and failure. Links for this episode:30 Singular Films to Watch in Quarantine - The AtlanticThese films, each unforgettable in its own way, are essential viewing. Mad Max: Fury Road with Emily Yoshida — Blank Check with Griffin & David — OvercastRoboCop — Blank Check with Griffin & David — OvercastThe Book of Henry — Blank Check with Griffin & David — OvercastBlank Check with Griffin & David is creating Podcasts | PatreonMerlin Mann on Twitter: "Are you a weirdo? Do you enjoy movies? Cool. I got the hook-up. https://t.co/UVog1T7Ide" / TwitterUncut Gems on Netflix: What’s the True Story Behind Howard Ratner’s Bet?Why people believe they can’t draw - and how to prove they can | Graham Shaw | TEDxHull - YouTubeDavid Sims: 30 Movies That Are Unlike Anything You’ve Seen Before - YouTubeMerlin Mann on Twitter: "Power is the ability to make strangers live your "normal."" / TwitterThe reason Zoom calls drain your energy - BBC Worklife5 reasons why Zoom meetings are so exhausting[1986] The Housemartins • Happy Hour - YouTubeAmazon.com : Wahl Color Pro Complete Hair Cutting Kit, #79300-400T : Hair Clipper Kits And SetsBrought to you by: Feals (Become a member today by going to Feals.com/backtowork and you'll get 50% off your first order with free shipping). ExpressVPN (So protect your online activity today and get an extra 3 months FREE on a one-year package by visitingexpressvpn.com/backtowork).

DISCUSSED: discussion of The Freshman and thoughts on what makes a movie "hold up"; has anyone ever craved a three-star movie?; what Merlin really wants is a smart friend; Dan is enjoying On Becoming a God in Central Florida; the difficulty of making weird good; I didn't buy it a beer; your mask is not a case for your beard; Dan has follow-up on bikes; Merlin has follow-up on companies and WFH help; thoughts on what we know and don't know about the difficulties of ““reopening””; the benefits and challenges of being a chain-worrying project manager; praise for the Austin Grackles. Links for this episode:The Freshman (1990) - IMDbBruno Kirby - Biography - IMDbCarmine Said One Boy - YouTubeFreeway movie review & film summary (1997) | Roger Ebert"Occasionally an unsuspecting innocent will stumble into a movie like this and send me an anguished postcard, asking how I could possibly give a favorable review to such trash. My stock response is Ebert's Law, which reads: A movie is not about what it is about. It is about how it is about it." Penny Arcade - News - Dear Diary'So I’ve always worried about things. I also always knew that most of the time there was nothing to worry about. For me it wasn’t even just worrying about something. I understand that everyone worries. The best way I can describe it is "Chain worrying."' Idiot plot - Wikipedia'In literary criticism, an idiot plot is "a plot which is kept in motion solely by virtue of the fact that everybody involved is an idiot," and where the story would otherwise be over if this were not the case.' Brought 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).

DISCUSSED: Here we are in Spain; a lot went on behind the scenes of The Wizard of Oz; also Modern Problems existed; further discussion of 80s movies; they used to make more movies; B-MO gets a show?; secrets of the child whisper network; Saturday morning memories; C19 is making a lot of holes and gaps in kids' lives; what even is the deal with colleges?; wisdom from the great Kevin Kelly; it's one thing to know something, but it's another thing to know something; and, finally, beginning to explore how best to level resources and expectations as many of us work from home. Links for this episode:Merlin's Twitter poll from Monday"Poll: as your company prepped for people to WfH, how much interaction did you have to address your specific challenges, get extra resources, and set individual expectations?" National Remote Work SurveyThe Technium: 68 Bits of Unsolicited AdviceIt’s my birthday. I’m 68. I feel like pulling up a rocking chair and dispensing advice to the young ‘uns. Here are 68 pithy bits of unsolicited advice which I offer as my birthday present to all of you. New BeginningsAfter he goes to Jerusalem and sleeps on what is supposedly the very spot where Jesus was crucified, Kevin Kelly has a revelation: that he should live the next six months as if he would die at the end of them. Modern Problems - WikipediaADVENTURE TIME: DISTANT LANDS Official Teaser Trailer (HD) HBO MAX Series - YouTubeSuspend SAT for UC admissions, Janet Napolitano says - Los Angeles TimesValley Girl (1983) - Official Trailer (HD) - YouTubeSpotify – Valley Girl SOUNDTRACKSlim Whitman Commercial 1980 - YouTubeSlim Whitman All MY Best 1979 Record Commercial - YouTubeThe Best Of Red Sovine TV Commercial - YouTubeZamfir Master of the Pan Flute Commercial - YouTubeClassic Freedom Rock Commercial 1988 Best Quality on You-Tube!!! - YouTubeI Hanker for a Hunka Cheese - YouTubeWonderama with Bob McAllister - YouTubeEight Men Out (1988) - Reference View - IMDbA dramatization of the Black Sox scandal when the underpaid Chicago White Sox accepted bribes to deliberately lose the 1919 World Series. Coronavirus: CSU to have mainly online classes in fall 2020 - Los Angeles TimesBrought 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).

DISCUSSED: Dan has concerns!; every road has many parts, but you seriously need to show your humanity; stop signs are really just velocipede serving suggestions; not all wood floats; too soon; an ambitious crossover is proposed; Cormac McCarthy rules; Phillip W. Battery sure has a lot going on for a busy and attentive new dad; as a main topic, your hosts bounce off a terrific recent episode of Merlin's beloved You're Wrong About; hey, what B2W-ish lessons can be drawn from the response to the Y2K "bug"?; ultimately, it is just so hard to solve one problem without potentially creating five other problems; memories of New Year's Eve, 1999; for once, Dan wasn't concerned at all; more praise for YWA, and a humble apology to Sarah; hey, listen, don't be ashamed to find delight; praise for Slugline 2; a recommendation for a James Franco movie. Links for this episode:You're Wrong AboutWith Michael Hobbes & Sarah Marshall The Y2K Bug — You're Wrong About — OvercastYou're Wrong About is creating a podcast | PatreonLa La Land: Galileo’s Warning — Cautionary Tales — OvercastBlood Meridian (Audiobook) by Cormac McCarthy | Audible.comIs Motorcycle Lane Splitting Legal in Texas? Bike Crash Legal InfoStranger Danger — You're Wrong About — OvercastThe Satanic Panic — You're Wrong About — OvercastKonrad Lorenz: Godfather of Animal Imprinting Theory - How Animal Imprinting Works | HowStuffWorksSluglineFrom Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy (read by... | kung fu grippeBrainstorm (1983) - Reference View - IMDbResearchers develop a system where they can jump into people's minds. But when people involved bring their personal problems into the equation, it becomes dangerous - perhaps deadly. Brainstorm (1983) [Trailer] - YouTubeY2K | 2 weeks after Mad and I met; 2 weeks before she moved … | Flickry2k | New Year's Eve at Michael's house on McAllister. 10 da… | FlickrSaturday Night (2008) - YouTubeBehind the Planet of the Apes | ConsiderableAmazonSmile: On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft eBook: King, Stephen: Kindle StoreGrimes - We Appreciate Power (Lyric Video) - YouTubeMerlin's thoughts on Phillip W. BatteryAfter Twitter rant, Elon Musk lists two California homes - SFGateFolk devil - Wikipedia5: Chigger Bites on the Bus Driver — Back to Work — OvercastBasement Jaxx - Rendez Vu ( Official Video ) Remedy - YouTubeBrought to you by: Audible (Start your spring off completely lost—in comedy delight! Escape From Virtual Island. Listen free with a 30-day trial. Just go to audible.com/virtualisland or text VIRTUAL ISLAND to 500500). Meh (Head on over to Meh.com to see what's on sale today!)

DISCUSSED: Merlin is having a strange day, and Dan notices everything; please remember that fear and stress and anxiety are pretty terrible motivators; praise for On Becoming a God in Central Florida and 1Password; security theater vs. security reality; Dan's new mouse is as quiet as a…what's the word?; Brushing with Hardest Available Toothbrush Considered Harmful; Dan is gently exposing his son to one of the great films. So what?; a couple great pieces on making actual good passwords; recommendations for a Sondheim special and a terrific YouTube guy; extensive advice and suggestions for a listener moving to a Mac; learning almost anything is a lot like learning The Metric System; and, finally, praise for the great Peter N. Lewis. Links for this episode:Multiple Level Thinking | Levels Of Thought In PokerEp. 378: "Lion, Tiger, Horse, Monkey" - Roderick on the Line - Merlin MannThe Problem: John has rarely driven a car hard and hung it up wet. Ep. 379: "Garbage Island" - Roderick on the Line - Merlin MannThe Problem: John feels like the world is changing. Ep. 380: "The Impossible Me" - Roderick on the Line - Merlin MannThe Problem: John is trying not to paddle alone in life. Password Manager for Families, Businesses, Teams | 1PasswordTake Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration - YouTubeWhen can Mario retire? | Unraveled - YouTubebrian david gilbert - YouTubeMerlin Mann on Twitter: "You know it's been a sound night's sleep when you wake up at 3:50am thinking, "Huh. It's been a while since I watched Holy Mountain." https://t.co/aVbNYqwTIV" / TwitterToward better Master Passwords | 1PasswordThe strength of a password creation system is not how many letters, digits, and symbols you end up with, but how many ways you could get a different result using the same system. xkcd: Password StrengthCOVID-19 Response - Removing trial limits to help businesses work securely from home | 1PasswordAmazon.com: Logitech M330 Silent Plus Wireless Mouse – Enjoy Same Click Feel with 90% Less Click Noise, 2 Year Battery Life, Ergonomic Right-Hand Shape for Computers and Laptops, USB Unifying Receiver, Black: Computers & AccessoriesHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Book 3 (Audiobook) by J.K. Rowling | Audible.comBartender 3 - Organize your menu bar icons on MacMizage - ShushDaring Fireball: Interarchy Interview: Peter N Lewis and Matthew DraytonThe Holy Mountain (HD Trailer - HD) | ABKCO Films - YouTubeThe Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play: Fiore, Neil: 8601400338544: AmazonSmile: BooksWork in multiple spaces on Mac - Apple SupportWitch · Many TricksThe built-in macOS app switcher is great if all you use are one-window applications. But you probably have many windows open in many apps, possibly with many tabs, and navigating them all is a pain. Enter Witch, with which you can switch everything… uBar - The Dock replacement for the MacThe Dock replacement for the Mac. Boost your productivity with the most advanced and versatile app and window manager for the Mac. Moom · Many TricksMoom makes window management as easy as clicking a mouse button—or using a keyboard shortcut, if you're one of those types of people.With Moom, you can easily move and zoom windows to half screen, quarter screen, or fill the screen folivora.ai - Great Tools for your Mac!BetterTouchTool is a great, feature packed app that allows you to customize various input devices on your Mac. Keyboard Maestro 9.0.5: Work Faster with Macros for macOSWhether you are a power user or just getting started, your time is precious. So don’t waste it. You can quickly benefit from Keyboard Maestro. Let Keyboard Maestro help make your Mac life more pleasant and efficient. Kirsten Dunst Just Couldn’t Let Go of On Becoming a God in Central Florida | Vanity FairOn Becoming a God: Seasons, Episodes, Cast, Characters - Official Series Site | SHOWTIMEThis dark comedy series stars Kirsten Dunst as Krystal Stubbs, a minimum-wage water park employee who lies, schemes and cons her way up the ranks of the cultish, multibillion-dollar pyramid scheme that drove her family to ruin in the first place. Acorn 6 | Full Featured Photo Editor for the MacAcorn has everything you need in an image editor. Pixelmator PhotoA powerful photo editor created exclusively for iPad. LaunchBar 6Start with a single keyboard shortcut to accessand control every aspect of your digital life. TextExpander – Communicate SmarterEasily insert text snippets in any application from a library of content created by you and your team. JAY-Z - Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)... - YouTubeBrought to you by: ExpressVPN (So protect your online activity today and get an extra 3 months FREE on a one-year package by visitingexpressvpn.com/backtowork). Audible (Start your spring off completely lost—in comedy delight! Escape From Virtual Island. Listen free with a 30-day trial. Just go to audible.com/virtualisland or text VIRTUAL ISLAND to 500500).

DISCUSSED: our perception of value is definitely personal and maybe even a little generational; sometimes, the only thing you can afford is the best; a listener question about where your hosts are with comics; further praise for TaskPaper; updates on macOS text editing; Merlin capitulates to Catalina; Dan answers a listener question about coping with chronic back pain; learning how to stop rehearsing frailty by embracing the wonders of momentum. Links for this episode:CBR and CBZ Files (What They Are and How to Open One)nvALT - BrettTerpstra.comSublime Text - A sophisticated text editor for code, markup and proseBare Bones Software | BBEdit 13TaskPaper – Plain text to-do lists for Macalefore/edge: Edge - a text editorRowing Machine - Model D with PM5 | Concept2Amazon.com: Clever Coffee Dripper Barista's Choice - Bonus 100 Filters Included (18 oz Large, Clear): Kitchen & DiningThe Incomparable | Kids Have Bad Taste (Episode 104)Brought to you by: Feals (Become a member today by going to Feals.com/backtowork and you'll get 50% off your first order with free shipping). Audible (Start your spring off completely lost—in comedy delight! Escape From Virtual Island. Listen free with a 30-day trial. Just go to audible.com/virtualisland or text VIRTUAL ISLAND to 500500).