Back to Work

DISCUSSED: Merlin has a cool new voice from talking to friends late last night; Dan has an automotive collision anecdote, while Merlin has thoughts on how preparation fails us in extreme moments; in follow-up, Listener Steve has terrific advice on dealing with bad hotel room technology; your hosts love insider information from pilots and other category pros; Dan ordered a watch, and Merlin is apparently not actually wrecking a plane; the guys respond to listener letters about ages of people in movies, Dan's world-destroying Disney fact (that he can't remember), plus a listener's concern about company password hygiene; and finally, Dan has great news about refreshing an iMac, but less great news about household password hygiene. Links for this episode:Lizzo: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert - YouTubeAmazon.com: Inteset 4-in-1 Universal Backlit IR Learning Remote for use with Apple TV, Xbox One, Roku, Media Center/Kodi, Nvidia Shield, most Streamers and other A/V Devices: ElectronicsOverride Your Hotel Room Thermostat and Set It As Hot or Cold You LikeRivals of Waterdeep - YouTubeScooters (and Roller Skates) — Pessimists Archive Podcast — OvercastAs cities freak out over e-scooters today, it’s worth looking back at when these devices were actually new. Why did people love motorized scooters in 1915, what’s different a century later, and what does all of this have to do with roller skates? They’re big questions. And the answers just might lead us to rethink how our cities are designed. Inteset Universal Remote Control Device Code LookupSteve Whittaker (@swhitt) / TwitterSteve Whittaker on Twitter: "@hotdogsladies Also I always enable VIP mode on my hotel thermostat if it matches this guy: https://t.co/19pNzwgRCx" / TwitterHotel remote trickCockpit Confidential: Everything You Need to Know About Air Travel: Questions, Answers, and Reflections, Patrick Smith, eBook - Amazon.comAskThePilot.com » THE ULTIMATE RESOURCE SITE FOR EVERYONE WHO FLIESToward 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 Strength129 Cars - This American LifeWe spend a month at a Jeep dealership on Long Island as they try to make their monthly sales goal: 129 cars. If they make it, they'll get a huge bonus from the manufacturer, possibly as high as $85,000 — enough to put them in the black for the month. If they don't make it, it'll be the second month in a row. So they pull out all the stops. Amazon.com: Samsung T5 Portable SSD - 1TB - USB 3.1 External SSD (MU-PA1T0B/AM), Black: Computers & Accessories(Merlin's hotel room SSD drive. Load it up!) DIY Bundle 1.0TB OWC 6G SSD and HDD Kit for 21.5" iMac (2012 and later)Brought to you by: Molekule (For $75 off your first order, visit Molekule.com and enter BACKTOWORK at checkout). Zapier (Right now through November, try Zapier free for 14 days by going to Zapier.com/backtowork).

Dan and Merlin discuss the upcoming big Apple event and why this one's potentially interesting. Also, dog anecdotes. Links for this episode:AVIATOR VISUAL EFFECTS - BEHIND THE SCENESThe Dark Crystal - WikipediaThe Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance - WikipediaUpgrade #261: The 2019 iPhone Event Draft - Relay FMSupported devices - Computer - YouTube TV HelpWatch YouTube TV on your TV - YouTube TV HelpSamoyed Dog Breed InformationBrought to you by: Grammarly (Go to Grammarly.com/backtowork to get 20% off your Grammarly premium account today). eero (For free overnight shipping to the US or Canada, visit eero.com and at checkout select overnight shipping then enter BACKTOWORK to make it free). 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).

hurricanes! hyperactivity exposing kids to the canonical films that weird, affected Hollywood accent a name for that time comparison phenomenon making your voice interactions more fun catching up on the Platinum Age of TV dealing with device charging at scale Links for this episode:Saffir–Simpson scale - WikipediaHURRICANE DORIANMike's Weather Page... powered by Sparks Energy!Hurricane Neddy - WikipediaHurricane Neddy | Simpsons Wiki | FANDOM powered by WikiaThe Aviator (2004 film) - WikipediaTechnique Critique - YouTubeBen Affleck’s Armageddon commentary resurfaces, along with a few other confessionals - PolygonCan you bike to the top of GTA 5, with ONLY your voice? - YouTubePop overachievers Genesis—including Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel—competed head to head on the charts.Meet chart overachievers Genesis: ’70s prog rockers turned ’80s pop juggernaut, spinning off multiple careers, countless hits, and thundering drums. The Invisible Miracle Sledgehammer Edition — Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia — OvercastUltimate Sticker Collection: Marvel Studios: With more than 1000 stickers: DK: 9781465478863: Amazon.com: BooksAmazon.com: CKCOCO Multi Charger Cable 2Pack 5FT Nylon Braided Universal 4 in 1 Multiple USB Charging Cord Adapter with 8Pin x2/Type-C/Micro USB Port Connectors for Cell Phones Tablets and More (Charging Only): Cell Phones & AccessoriesAmazon.com: USB C Charger, Anker 60W PIQ 3.0 & GaN Tech Dual Port Charger, PowerPort Atom III (2 Ports) Travel Charger with a 45W USB C Port, for USB-C Laptops, MacBook, iPad Pro, iPhone, Galaxy, Pixel and More: Cell Phones & AccessoriesAmazon.com: Portable Charger Anker PowerCore 20100mAh - Ultra High Capacity Power Bank with 4.8A Output and PowerIQ Technology, External Battery Pack for iPhone, iPad & Samsung Galaxy & More (Black): GatewayBrought to you by: Monday.com (Start your 14-day free trial by going to monday.com/backtowork). Cirkul (Get your own Cirkul bottle plus two flavor cartridges for just $5 by going to DrinkCirkul.com/backtowork and using code BACKTOWORK). Grammarly (Go to Grammarly.com/backtowork to get 20% off your Grammarly premium account today).

Lots of talk about the changing media landscape, plus some odds and sods. Links for this episode:Jia Tolentino on what happens when life is an endless performance — The Ezra Klein Show — OvercastDisney World: Celebrating Utopia — Nice Try! — OvercastMarried to the Mouse: Walt Disney World and Orlando: Richard E. Foglesong: 9780300098280: Amazon.com: BooksAmazon.com: Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion (9780525510543): Jia Tolentino: BooksAmazon.com: Logitech Rugged Protection Combo Keyboard and Folio Case for iPad 9.7 (5th Gen) / (6th Gen) - Bulk Packaging - Navy Blue: Computers & AccessoriesAmazon.com: CKCOCO Multi Charger Cable 2Pack 5FT Nylon Braided Universal 4 in 1 Multiple USB Charging Cord Adapter with 8Pin x2/Type-C/Micro USB Port Connectors for Cell Phones Tablets and More (Charging Only): Cell Phones & AccessoriesTechPilot Labs - TechPilot LabsSchoolMDM Mobile Device Management for Schools - TechPilot LabsThe intuitive, cloud-based MDM designed specifically for schools. We bring simplified mobile device management to Apple deployments. Monster Factory: Fallout 4 — Episode 1 - YouTubeHyperice | Hypervolt featuring Quiet Glide™ technologyi-Puffy Massage Cushion - Relax The Back[593] Gallium vs. Titalium - Abus Padlock Meets a Gruesome End - YouTubeJoe Rosensteel on TwitterFollow Joe! Brought to you by: Native (For 20% off your first purchase, visit nativedeodorant.com and use promo code BACKTOWORK during checkout). Monday.com (Start your 14-day free trial by going to monday.com/backtowork). Zapier (Right now through November, try Zapier free for 14 days by going to Zapier.com/backtowork). Casper (Get $100 toward select mattresses by visiting Casper.com/backtowork and using BACKTOWORK at checkout).

DISCUSSED: finding an actor's age and height; time analogies; Merlin needs help naming two critical phenomena; Dan is dissatisfied with how cars look; could Wolverine get a Caillou tattoo, and would it grow back, hmmmm?; Merlin is getting into plants (no, not sexually); the return of that time when Danny held the license plate; and finally, Merlin has a long stemwinder on an admittedly amorphous topic: the unimpeachable benefits of undoing most of the buttons we've clicked. Links for this episode:How Old Were the ActorsTropic Thunder (2008) - IMDbList of cognitive biases - WikipediaMaking the Clackity Noise | kung fu grippestar wars release date to today - Wolfram|Alpha5by5 | Back to Work #27: Danny, Hold the License PlateEp. 348: "The Other Oregon" - Roderick on the Line - Merlin MannThe Problem: It was mostly pranks. iOS 12 on iPhone: How Many Daily Notifications? - Ask Dave TaylorBrought 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). Monday.com (Start your 14-day free trial by going to monday.com/backtowork). Grammarly (Go to Grammarly.com/backtowork to get 20% off your Grammarly premium account today).

DISCUSSED: Merlin has a little visitor today. Dan has some thoughts on conference scheduling. This leads to a broader discussion of the sensitivities we may or may not have to other peoples' limitations and constraints. It's nice to meet people. For some reason, religion, churches, and clergy are discussed. "This is what Peter did say!" Finally, the guys answer a listener question about working from home. Merlin poses a challenge. Links for this episode:Disney’s Surprise Star Wars Stumble Hammers Quarterly ResultsRamadan - WikipediaJon Stewart On Religion - YouTubeJohn Siracusa on Twitter: "@atpreferences Why does everyone forget the comma?" / TwitterBrought 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). Away (Visit awaytravel.com/backtowork and use the code BACKTOWORK at checkout to get $20 off a suitcase). Grammarly (Go to Grammarly.com/backtowork to get 20% off your Grammarly premium account today).

Dan and Merlin explore the complexities of personal style. Not personal style as in fashion, but as in preferences, identity, and modes of interaction. How do we let others know how we are? How do we derive a sense of what works best for us, and why is it such a shameful struggle to effectively communicate that to others? What do AirPods, Snapchat, and Bloomberg Terminals potentially have in common? And, would it be cool if I just listen to this podcast instead of talking about my blouse and the weather? Links for this episode:"Nathan for You" Private Investigator/Taxi Company (TV Episode 2013) - IMDbThe Bloomberg terminal: clunky, costly, addictive, ubiquitous | Financial TimesThe Egg Is Bigger Than Before: What Is 5-Minute Crafts?5by5 | Back to Work #435: Scanner of HorizonsBrought to you by: eero (For free overnight shipping to the US or Canada, visit eero.com and at checkout select overnight shipping then enter BACKTOWORK to make it free). Warby Parker (Head to warbyparker.com/backtowork to order your free Home Try-On’s today).

DISCUSSED: the admirable candor of B.B. King; the simple joys of the Ordinary Night; movies that are or are not dated and how that affects your enjoyment; how sci-fi seemed to mostly miss the internet; our embarrassment of media options; tech in media and what it means for plot stuff; technology adoption curves are definitely speeding up; doing everything you can not to use your phone as a phone; more generational stuff; how time and context changes our perception; should they take all the smoking out of movies and tv?; remember: you're not making errors—you're adding information; and, finally, Dan has an exciting announcement and a wet notebook. Links for this episode:5by5 | Back to Work #434: Grist for an Unnecessary MillH. P. Lovecraft - WikipediaH. G. Wells - Wikipedia"The Office" Chair Model (TV Episode 2008) - IMDbChart: The Rising Speed of Technological AdoptionSeeing What’s Next | Asymco5by5 | Amplified #157: A Three Year ColdWho Are Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z?Starman (film) - WikipediaAmazon.com: Starman: Karen Allen, Jeff Bridges, Charles Martin Smith, Ted White, Richard Jaeckel, John Carpenter, Larry J. Franco, Columbia Pictures Corporation: Movies & TV5by5 | AmplifiedAmazon.com : Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Top-Spiral Notebook, 3" x 5", Black Cover, Universal Pattern, 3 Pack (No. 735-3) : Gateway"Detective Jigsaw" -MBMBAM Animatic - YouTubeTOSLINK: That one consumer fiber optic standard - YouTubeMerlin Mann on Twitter: ""Remember, you're not making errors; you're adding information." —Isaac the Gamescape Guy (on figure painting)" / TwitterThe Boys in the Band (1970) - IMDbBrought to you by: Rhone (Get 20% off your first purchase by going to Rhone.com/backtowork).

DISCUSSED: kindness; eyeglasses, at length—including eyeglasses indignities, discounts, and injuries; a renewed surfeit of dingalings, fake friends, and a dumb podcast hit piece; and, finally, your hosts respond to a listener question on getting stressed about personal quantization. Links for this episode:How to Convince Someone When Facts Fail - Scientific AmericanAmazon.com: Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 Ohm Closed Dynamic Headphones Bundle with Blucoil 6-FT Headphone Extension Cable (3.5mm) and Headphone Hook: Home Audio & TheaterAmazon.com: AS2M (1053121), Long Point Sharpener, sharpens in 2 steps; 2 spare blades includes. With lead pointers for 2 mm and 3.2 mm. BLUE only: GatewayPortlandia - The Knot Store - HD - YouTube"I think we've arrived." His Dark Materials: Season 1 | San Diego Comic-Con Trailer | HBO - YouTubeDorkus Malorkus - YouTubeXY problem - WikipediaThe XY problem is a communication problem encountered in help desk and similar situations in which the real issue, X, of the person asking for help is obscured, because instead of asking directly about issue X, they ask how to solve a secondary issue, Y, which they believe will allow them to resolve issue X. MBMBaM 188: Holler Smarts — My Brother, My Brother And Me — Overcast"Have you considered LegalZoom?" 5by5 | Back to Work #433: The Muscle of WorryThinking, Fast and Slow - WikipediaThe central thesis is a dichotomy between two modes of thought: "System 1" is fast, instinctive and emotional Brought to you by: Manscaped (Get 20% Off and Free Shipping with the code BACKTOWORK at Manscaped.com).

Show notes are short this week because Merlin had to go buy contrast paints for his figs. Main topic is speculating about speculation. Links for this episode:Steve Troughton-Smith on Twitter: "Wow. For a single coat, Contrast looks amazing. Maybe the hype is real? Of course, I understand it’s a very situational paint, but for organics and cloth this could be perfect… https://t.co/10RBmU49mC"The TRUTH behind GW Contrast Paints - YouTubeCitadel Contrast Paints: Resisting the Hype? - YouTubeWarhammer (game) - WikipediaSqueezed and pulled and hurt my neck in 1988The Perils and Rewards of Travel | The Hilarious World of DepressionMacular degeneration - WikipediaYngwie Malmsteen-Arpeggios From Hell - YouTubeMerlin Mann on Twitter: "Weird how the most competent and well-run aspect of United is their website for tracking your lost luggage."Weird how the most competent and well-run aspect of United is their website for tracking your lost luggage. Angie Tribeca | TBS.comMBMBaM: Candlenights 2017 | Maximum FunBrought to you by: Molekule (For $75 off your first order, visit Molekule.com and enter BACKTOWORK at checkout).