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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, the free encyclopediaELEPHANT AND THE BLIND MENA Whole Bunch Of People On Facebook Thought Steven Spielberg Killed A Real DinosaurQuote by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.: “And I urge you to please notice when you are ha...”“And I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'If this isn't nice, I don't know what is.” —Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country Rey - Wookieepedia - WikiaTreehouse of Horror VI - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaLisa goes to the ad agency that created those advertising characters, and an executive suggests the citizens stop paying attention to the monsters as they are advertising gimmicks, and attention is what keeps them motivated. Five people who are much more enjoyable if you imagine them as pro wrestlers | 5ivesAmazon.com: Metaphors We Live By (9780226468013): George Lakoff, Mark Johnson: BooksMenopoly: female lead missing from Star Wars Monopoly game / Boing BoingBest Of Enemies (2015) - Rotten TomatoesWork-at-home scheme - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaWork-at-home schemes have been around for decades, with the classic "envelope stuffing" scam originating in the United States during the Depression in the 1920s and 1930s. Home Based Business Scams.htmlGet-rich-quick scheme - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaRuminant - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaThe process of rechewing the cud to further break down plant matter and stimulate digestion is called rumination. The word "ruminant" comes from the Latin ruminare, which means "to chew over again". The Good Dinosaur (2015) - Rotten TomatoesBrought to you by: Squarespace (Visit squarespace.com/backtowork and use the code ITSYOURSHOW to get a free trial and 10% off your new website). Casper (Sleep better in 2016 by visiting Casper.com/BackToWork and use the code BACKTOWORK for $50 towards your new mattress).

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, the free encyclopediaVeblen good - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaVeblen goods are types of luxury goods, such as expensive wines, jewelry, fashion-designer handbags, and luxury cars, which are in demand because of the high prices asked for them. Snob effect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaIn microeconomics, the snob effect is a phenomenon referring to the situation where the demand for a certain good by individuals of a higher income level is inversely related to the demand for the good by individuals of a lower income level. The Emperor's New Clothes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaMast Brothers Admits It Hasn't Always Made 'Bean-to-Bar' Chocolate - EaterUgly Christmas Sweaters & Tacky Christmas Sweaters21-87 (English Version) by Arthur Lipsett - NFBReconcilable Differences #15: Emotional Swimsuit Season - Relay FMCaillou - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaBookshop West Portal | Your Neighborhood BookstoreKitbashedFour-quadrant movie - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaIn the movie industry, a four-quadrant movie is one which appeals to all four major demographic "quadrants" of the moviegoing audience: both male and female, and both over- and under-25s Arthur Lipsett - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaThe Spiritual Disenchantment of the Super Machine Age — KitbashedDr. Zaius Song - YouTubeDr. Zaius - YouTubeNarcissism of small differences - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaBrought to you by: TextExpander 5 (Visit SmileSoftware.com/b2w to download a free demo of TextExpander and improve your communication today). lynda (Visit lynda.com/backtowork to get free 10-day trial access to their 3,000+ courses). GoToWebinar (Get started with GoToWebinar today! You focus on the content. GoToWebinar handles the rest. Visit to GoToWebinar.com today to learn more).

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 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaReconcilable Differences - Relay FMJohn Siracusa and Merlin Mann try to figure out exactly how they got this way. 5by5 | Back to Work #97: Pope of the OfficeMr Show - Thrilling Miracles! - YouTubeScott Pilgrim Vs. The World - Theatrical Trailer HD - YouTubeScott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) - IMDbScott Pilgrim vs. the World - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaFood 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. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: Black Sheep - FULL music video - YouTubeScott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) - Trivia - IMDbAppendix A to Compliance GuidelinesExperts dispel myths about foodborne illnessManna - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaAmazon.com: Searzall Torch Attachment, Small, Stainless: Kitchen & DiningBrought to you by: 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). Casper (Visit Casper.com/BackToWork and use the code BACKTOWORK to get $50 towards any mattress choice). GoToWebinar (Get started with GoToWebinar today! You focus on the content. GoToWebinar handles the rest. Visit to GoToWebinar.com today to learn more).

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 discussed in terms of a specific phobia. McDonald's Relaunches New, Grown-Up Hamburglar MascotWhy? by They Might Be Giants on SpotifyYeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps - YouTubeMaps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs song) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaShe explains: "They were real tears. My boyfriend at the time [Angus Andrew] was supposed to come to the shoot – he was three hours late and I was just about to leave for tour. I didn't think he was even going to come and this was the song that was written for him. He eventually showed up and I got myself in a real emotional state." Ted Leo - Since U Been Gone / Maps - YouTubeYeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps [Acoustic][Sessions@AOL] - YouTube5by5 | The Frequency #82: A Road Paved in BonesThe Chicken and the Pig - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaList of mergers and acquisitions by Google - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaList of McDonald's characters - McDonald's Wiki - WikiaThis is the list of McDonald's characters that appeared in McDonaldland commercials, merchandise, or other media related to its franchise. Hamburglar - McDonald's Wiki - WikiaHe was revised in 1985, when his look changed from a trollish old man to a red-head Dennis the Menace-type child who spoke and wore a shorter-brimmed hat and a black cape with yellow on the inside. Fagin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaIn the preface to the novel he is described as a "receiver of stolen goods", but within the text he is more frequently identified as the "merry old gentleman" or simply "the Jew." Japanese McDonald's Ad - YouTubeThis Photo Of The Original Ronald McDonald Will Give You NightmaresCreepy First Ronald McDonald Commercial Featuring Willard Scott | Village VoiceBarry Manilow - BarryNet - His Music - Commercial JinglesBarry Manilow performed or co-wrote a number of commercial jingles early in his career, most notably the following: Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (film) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaTed Leo - Biomusicology - YouTubeTed Leo - Parallel Or Together? - YouTubeSchool House Rock -The Preamble - YouTubeEd Gein - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaHis crimes, committed around his hometown of Plainfield, Wisconsin, gathered widespread notoriety after authorities discovered Gein had exhumed corpses from local graveyards and fashioned trophies and keepsakes from their bones and skin. Collyer brothers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaHomer Lusk Collyer (November 6, 1881 – March 21, 1947) and Langley Wakeman Collyer (October 3, 1885 – c. March 9, 1947), known as the Collyer brothers, were two American brothers who became infamous for their bizarre natures and compulsive hoarding. Shark Tank - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaEasy Com-mercial, Easy Go-mercial - Bob's Burgers Wiki - WikiaBrought to you by: Younity (Stream and share all the media on your computer from your iPhone or iPad for free at getyounity.com). Slack (Visit Slack.com/backtowork and create a new team and you’ll get $100 in credit you can use when you decide to upgrade to a paid plan). lynda (Visit lynda.com/backtowork to get free 10-day trial access to their 3,000+ courses).

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, the free encyclopediaThe Challenger - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaTwitterMarkdown and Automation Experiments with 1Writer – MacStories1Writer - A beautiful and rich-featured Markdown editor for iPhone and iPadEditorial for iOSDrafts | Agile TortoiseCrazy WallsCrazy WallsA Beautiful Mind (2001) - IMDbEvidence Dungeon - The Flop House Wiki - WikiaMentioned in Episode 8: I Know Who Killed Me, the lair of a killer, which is full of all the things a good serial killer needs to do their work...and to be charged with said work by the police when they find the Evidence Dungeon. Programmers Notebook"Just pretend that you've got a microphone... and that microphone is always on." Log BookDefinition: A notebook…where you log and probably describe and explain your activities while performing it. Not an agenda. TrelloPodcast Universe Map — MuffinWorksEpicenter vs. CenterHank Williams - My Bucket's Got A Hole In It - YouTubeThomas Keller’s [3-Ingredient] Roasted ChickenGetting rid of Open With duplicates - All thisUpgrade #65: Holiday Firewall - Relay FMSpecial guest host Merlin Mann joins Jason to talk about the holidays, Apple TV, iPad Pro, and how to recommend Apple products. Pensieve - Harry Potter Wiki - WikiaThe Pensieve is an object used to review memories. It has the appearance of a shallow stone or metal basin, into which runes and strange symbols are carved and precious stones are fitted. The Expanse (TV series) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaAdventure Time Pilot Episode - YouTubeSisyphus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaBrought to you by: Younity (Stream and share all the media on your computer from your iPhone or iPad for free at getyounity.com). 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). Squarespace (Get a free trial and 10% off your first purchase when you use the code ITSYOURSHOW).

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 free encyclopediaWreck This Journal: Keri Smith: 9780399533464: Amazon.com: BooksWreck This Journal (Black) Expanded Ed.: Keri Smith: 9780399161940: Amazon.com: BooksAmazon.com: Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within, 2nd Edition (9781590302613): Natalie Goldberg: BooksNothing Doesn't Go In Here | Flickr - Photo Sharing!Spectre (2015) - Box Office MojoProduction Budget: $245 million Siracusa on Toasters — Liss is MoreFast forward four years. John, Marco, and myself are now hosting ATP. When Cards Against Humanity decided to sponsor our show, Max decided as usual to eschew a normal ad read. Instead, he had a brilliant idea: CAH would send John a toaster to review. We’ve been asked more than once to have a compendium of all of these reviews. This is it. I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been. - Wayne Gretzky at BrainyQuoteI skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been. Commonplace book - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaCommonplace books (or commonplaces) were a way to compile knowledge, usually by writing information into books. Such books were essentially scrapbooks filled with items of every kind: medical recipes, quotes, letters, poems, tables of weights and measures, proverbs, prayers, legal formulas. Cards Against HumanityBrought to you by: lynda (Visit lynda.com/backtowork to get free 10-day trial access to their 3,000+ courses). Hover (You can get 10% off your first purchase by going to Hover.com and using the code LIBRARYELF at checkout).

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-Creativity · GitHubYou know, when Video Arts asked me if I'd like to talk about creativity I said "no problem!" No problem! Because telling people how to be creative is easy, it's only being it that's difficult. PlexDan Benjamin on Instagram: “Turkey Leg.”Dan Benjamin on Instagram: “Fantastic Rabbit Man.”MASQUERADE: Kit Williamson Amazon Duck Soup (1933) - IMDbRufus T. Firefly is named president/dictator of bankrupt Freedonia and declares war on neighboring Sylvania over the love of wealthy Mrs. Teasdale. Harpo Marx's Tattoos - YouTubeAmazon.com: Palomino Blackwing 602 - 12 Count: Office ProductsTreat yo self - YouTubeSquared Soft Notebook - Large - Moleskine ®Siracusa on Toasters — Liss is MoreI skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been. - Wayne Gretzky at BrainyQuoteBrought to you by: Slack (Visit Slack.com/backtowork and create a new team and you’ll get $100 in credit you can use when you decide to upgrade to a paid plan). 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 signing up) Squarespace (Visit Squarespace.com/BackToWork and use the code ITSYOURSHOW for a free trial and 10% off) Harry's (It's Movember! So go to Harrys.com now and you’ll get $5 off if you type in the code COMICS with your first order).

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 History of the ThinkPad NameIt's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff - Peter Walsh - Google BooksThe Iron Giant: Signature Edition - Official Trailer [HD] - YouTubeImageMagick: Convert, Edit, Or Compose Bitmap Imagesscrncst :: mnmlst dsk on Vimeo5by5 | Back to Work #56: One Giant Beholder DinosaurSee: it's not a red snapper problem, it's an emotional problem. So, quit being scared of your fridge, or your inbox, or your todo list. Just suck it up, buy some contractor bags, and never organize another thing that's not worth keeping. 5by5 | Back to Work #202: Choosing is a Radio ButtonThis week, Dan and Merlin talk about organization, multitasking and new year's resolutions. Cool Tools – It’s All Too MuchUltimately, it’s not just a question of tidying your house Brought to you by: PDFpen 7 (Visit the link to learn more and start editing PDFs on the go) 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 signing up) Casper (Go and get $50 toward any mattress purchase by visiting Casper.com/BackToWork and use the code BACKTOWORK).