Back to Work

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 (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. Ep. 179: The Battle for Tech Supremacy With Ben Thompson by The Bill Simmons Podcast | Free Listening on SoundCloudPixies - Wikipedia4CPThis obscure desire for beautyAmazon AWS S3 outage is breaking things for a lot of websites and apps | TechCrunchPolitics and the English Language - WikipediaGeorge Orwell: Politics and the English Language'River On Fire' Explores Genius, Madness And The Poetry Of Robert Lowell : NPRKay Redfield Jamison's new book describes how Lowell's manic-depressive illness influenced his life and work. "His manias tended to lead him into writing a fresh kind of poetry," she says. Bipolar And Creativity: A Study Of Poet Robert Lowell — Fresh Air — OvercastAuthor Kay Redfield Jamison’s new book describes how Lowell’s manic-depressive illness influenced his life and work. “His manias tended to lead him into writing a fresh kind of poetry,” she says. Lloyd Schwartz reviews a reissue of ‘Chimes At Midnight’ starring Orson Welles, and jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new album from saxophonist Miguel Zenón.delete Netflix - instantwatcher - The Eighties / Season 1The Eighties | NetflixPessimists Archive (@PessimistsArc) | TwitterThe Walkman by PessimistsArc | Pessimists Arc | Free Listening on SoundCloudTravel back to the 80s with us, where the portable cassette player was accused of turning people into “wind-up non-humans,” laws were passed to keep them on the streets, and one New Jersey man risked jail time for his right to walk with headphones. shopgoodwill.com - Welcome5by5 | Back to Work #38: Sorry. You Can't Have a Candle.On improving presentation culture.Dan and Merlin talk about bombing the deck, advancing the slides, and striving to improve the self-perpetuating bad culture of presentations.Slide?!? Steve Martin's Dirty Trick to Play on a 3-Year Old Kid - YouTubeOrigins of "May I mambo dogface on the banana patch?" - Straight Dope Message BoardUrban Dictionary: Mambo dogface to the banana patch?Amazon S3 Outage 2017: how to watch it online - The VergeThey Might Be Giants "Dr. Worm" - YouTubeMan, It's So Loud In Here-They Might be Giants - YouTubeAnother Day of Sun - La La Land (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - YouTubeWaking in the Blue - Poems | Academy of American PoetsCock of the walk, I strut in my turtle-necked French sailor’s jersey before the metal shaving mirrors, and see the shaky future grow familiar in the pinched, indigenous faces of these thoroughbred mental cases, twice my age and half my weight. Brought to you by: Mott and Bow (Visit MottandBow.com and enter the code BACKTOWORK at checkout for 20% off your first purchase!) Blue Apron (Check out this week’s menu and get your first three meals FREE—with FREE SHIPPING—by going to BlueApron.com/backtowork.

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 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. Overcast 3: Design walkthrough – Marco.orgOvercast 3.0: iOS 10 Features, UI Changes, Easy Queuing, and an Interview with Marco Arment – MacStoriesCortex #46: External Thinking Tool - Relay FMStop robocalls and telemarketers with NomoroboPhone Number Search | TruecallerFind Your Keys, Wallet & Phone with Tile’s Bluetooth Tracker and Save Up to 30%. | TileBrought to you by: TextExpander (Visit textexpander.com/b2w to start your free trial, and learn how companies such as WordPress and Desk multiply their productivity using TextExpander.) FreshBooks (To claim your month long unrestricted free trial, go to FreshBooks.com/backtowork and enter BACK TO WORK in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section).

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 Exercises and Techniques | Dr. WeilThe 4-7-8 Breath: Health Benefits & Demonstration2007-01-09 Before the Twitter. Before the... | kung fu grippeThe Pogues - If I Should Fall From Grace With God - YouTubeThe Pogues The Sick Bed of Cuchulainn 1985 RTE - YouTubeNobody Tells Me Nothing - 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). Mack Weldon (Visit MackWeldon.com and use the code BACKTOWORK for 20% off your order!)

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 More""Tomorrow we'll discover what our God in Heaven has in store!" macfixer on Twitter: "@danbenjamin @hotdogsladies In “Didn’t we cover that years ago?” news — there are now Shabbat-friendly LED light bulbs. https://t.co/hp1X4WzH3F"What Vizio was doing behind the TV screen | Federal Trade CommissionLorAnn OilsGovernment Confirms Vizio TVs Spy on You: How to Stop It"Add it all up and Vizio captured as many as 100 billion data points each day from millions of TVs." Amazon.com: VIZIO E3D420VX 42 Inch Class Theater 3D LCD HDTV with VIZIO Internet Apps (2011 Model): ElectronicsHackintosh MethodPodcast MethodBacon MethodBlackwing - PalominoAmazon.com : Pilot Precise V7 RT Retractable Rolling Ball Pens, Fine Point, Black Ink, 6 Pack : Office ProductsAmazon.com : Palomino Blackwing Pencils - 12 Count : Wood Lead Pencils : Office ProductsAmazon.com : KUM Long Point Pencil Sharpener with Lead Pointer : German Pencil Sharpener : Office ProductsList of Oval Office desks - WikipediaResolute desk - WikipediaWalk and talk - WikipediaLyndon Johnson Held Meetings On The Toilet - KnowledgeNutsVizio TVs were spying on their owners, the government says - Chicago TribuneVizio settles case that said its smart TVs spied on owners - LA TimesMost smart TVs are tracking you — Vizio just got caught - The VergeJewish Jokes - GantsehMegillah.com"I don't know why you do it" says the old woman, "but I never had a pan that was large enough!" LBJ's Bunghole Needs Room! - 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). FreshBooks (To claim your month long unrestricted free trial, go to FreshBooks.com/backtowork and enter BACK TO WORK in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section).

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 Depression — OvercastBefore she was a successful LA comic with a new Netflix special, Jen Kirkman was a somewhat confused kid growing up in Boston. Hear how she got screwed up by nuclear war anxiety, found her calling in comedy, and ultimately learned to leverage her creativity and imagination to take on depression and anxiety.delete 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 aboutanything and everything that crosses your mind– and they are for your eyesonly. Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize andsynchronize the day at hand. Do not over-think Morning Pages: just putthree pages of anything on the page...and then do three more pages tomorrow. The Good Place - NBC.comThe Good Place: Season 1 - Rotten TomatoesKristen Bell and Ted Danson knock it out of the park with supremely entertaining, charming performances in this absurd, clever and whimsical portrayal of the afterlife. Drunk John Wayne speaks to young cadets - YouTubeHear JW say rigoddamndiculous, excrement, and tell people he's not "trying to talk for clapping". How to make someone unfollow you on Twitter | GadgetteHow to soft block someone on Twitter LAMBORGHINIS IN MY LAMBORGHINIS ACCOUNT - YouTubeTy Lambo shares ““Knowledge.”” Hackintosh MethodBrought to you by: MailButler (Visit mailbutler.io and use the code MAILBUTLER_5BY5 for 15% off both MailButler Professional Monthly and MailButler Professional Yearly). The PDFpen Family (Visit smilesoftware.com/b2w for details on the PDFpen Family).

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 synchronize the day at hand. Do not over-think Morning Pages: just put three pages of anything on the page...and then do three more pages tomorrow. Joe Smith: How to use a paper towel | TED Talk | TED.comLearn | Code.orgNetflix - instantwatcher - The Eighties / Season 1KQED Public Media for Northern CAdoujinshi: here in my... | kung fu grippeTy Lambo! Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy: David D. Burns: 8580001040905: Amazon.com: BooksAmazon.com: Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within, 2nd Edition (9781590302613): Natalie Goldberg: BooksNumberphile - Videos about Numbers and StuffChuck Garabedian on VimeoThinking, Fast and Slow: Daniel Kahneman: 9780374533557: Amazon.com: BooksSWOT analysis - WikipediaSWOT analysis (alternatively SWOT matrix) is an acronym for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats and is a structured planning method that evaluates those four elements of a project or business venture. Cost–benefit analysis - WikipediaThe Elephant 6 Recording Company - WikipediaArtisan Coffee | Black Cat Project Espresso™ | Intelligentsia CoffeeBrought 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). FreshBooks (To claim your month long unrestricted free trial, go to FreshBooks.com/backtowork and enter BACK TO WORK in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section).

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 Shortcuts (That No One Bothers to Tell You) for Simplifying Your Day: David Pogue: 9781250080431: Amazon.com: BooksBetteridge's law of headlines - WikipediaCrash and the Boys - Im So Sad, So Very, Very, Sad. - YouTubeRobert Lowell - WikipediaAlthough Lowell's manic depression was often a great burden (for himself and his family), the subject of that mental illness led to some of his most important poetry, particularly as it manifested itself in his book Life Studies. Connected #125: Tiny Adorable Fort - Relay FMReconcilable Differences #43: Pack Mule with a Checkbook - Relay FMGreen Day Basket Case - Pachelbel Canon.wmv - YouTube5by5 | Back to Work #308: When Does the Fork Go on the Sat?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). Mack Weldon (Visit MackWeldon.com and use the code BACKTOWORK for 20% off your order!) eero (For free overnight shipping, visit eero.com and at checkout select overnight shipping then enter the promo code BACKTOWORK to make it free).

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 Of Life : NPRAnd once she said that, some kind of a weight lifted, and I was thinking, yeah, you know, there is this uncertainty, and I can have anxiety about it. Or I could just try and have a lot of fun and laugh and just enjoy the fact that we're just these silly little people that are a little family now, you know? The Rook Audiobook | Daniel O'Malley | Audible.comAmazon.com: Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier - Premium Humidifying Unit with Whisper-quiet Operation, Automatic Shut-off, and Night Light Function: Home & KitchenThundarr the Barbarian TV cartoon intro (1980) - YouTubeMoves - Activity Diary for iPhone and AndroidRegina Spektor - "Better" [ALTERNATE VERSION] - YouTubeA Prairie Home Companion for January 6, 2017Cognitive behavioral therapy - WikipediaHome | tonymacx86.comA fast and open replacement for Windows and macOS ? elementary OSApplehead Chihuahua - Google SearchRegina Spektor: ‘I See My Family … In Everybody’ : NPR — merlinmann on Huffduffer — OvercastBrought to you by: Speedtest.net/b2w (Download Speedtest for Mac or Windows at Speedtest.net/b2w or search for Speedtest by Ookla in your favorite app store). FreshBooks (To claim your month long unrestricted free trial, go to FreshBooks.com/backtowork and enter BACK TO WORK in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section). Audible (You can’t make more time, but you can make the most of it. Turn your walk into something more with a 30-day free trial at Audible by going to audible.com/b2w).

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 give up nail biting, onanism, or drinking a gallon of vodka a day, you need a plan and a tolerance for failure. Plus, a little care never hurts.How to do it? Keep it small, keep it time-limited, keep it action-oriented.Happy New Year, jackals. We love you. Fire TV - Amazon Official Site - Streaming Media PlayerAmazon.com: elago® R1 Intelli Case [RED]-[HEAVY SHOCK ABSORPTION][MAGNET TECHNOLOGY][LANYARD INCLUDED] for apple TV Remote: Cell Phones & AccessoriesFakespot | Elago R1 Intelli Case Red Heavy Shock Absorption Magnet Technology Lanyard Fake Review AnalysisJoe Rosensteel (@joesteel) | TwitterVFX artist, and nerd. VFX reel: http://artofjoe.com  Personal blog: http://joe-steel.com  Podcasts: http://defocused.co  http://unhelpful-suggestions.com  Gang BeastsDouble Down | Definition of Double Down by Merriam-Websterto double the original bid in blackjack in exchange for only one more card Priest hole - WikipediaAlien Next Door: Joey Spiotto: 9781785650260: Amazon.com: BooksAmazon.com: Star Wars The Black Series Rogue One K-2SO: Toys & GamesAmazon.com: LEGO STAR WARS K-2SO 75120: Toys & GamesDan Benjamin on Instagram: “Got my own K-2SO as a Christmas present. Thanks @haddiebird!”Amazon.com: House of M (9780785117216): Brian Michael Bendis, Olivier Coipel: BooksIrredeemable Premier Vol. 1: Mark Waid, Peter Krause: 9781608867882: Amazon.com: BooksAmazon.com: House of M (9780785117216): Brian Michael Bendis, Olivier Coipel: BooksHouse of M (Book, 2006) [WorldCat.org]Welcome Back to Work Listeners - Fireside5by5 | Back to Work #3: The Second ArrowMerlin Mann and Dan Benjamin discuss ADD, Buddhism, mindfulness, concentration, and insight. Expectation on VimeoBrought to you by: Casper (Visit Casper.com/itsyourshow and use the code ITSYOURSHOW for $50 towards your new mattress). Mack Weldon (Visit MackWeldon.com and use the code BACKTOWORK for 20% off your order!)

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).