Episode 138: Mindfulness...Whether I Want It or Not

TOPIC: Informal Background Self-Quantization

This week Dan & Merlin discuss the merits of self-quantization. Which is fancy way of saying, "Merlin got a new Fitbit."

Why is anecdotal self-reporting a sucker's bet? What are the benefits of making your life a little video game? And, why is Merlin's scale accessing APIs via the internet?

Links for this episode:

• [SPONSOR] HostGator
  HostGator is a leading provider of web hosting, reseller hosting, vps hosting, and dedicated servers. Over 8,000,000 websites trust HostGator for their web hosting needs.
• [SPONSOR] BusyCal
  BusyCal is an award winning calendar app that provides powerful time-saving productivity tools in a friendly, personalized, easy-to-use package."
• 5by5 | Amplified #72: I Have to Shiv a Guy at 7
  This week, Jim is joined by Back to Work's Merlin Mann to talk about hands-on experiences with Apple's new iPhone 5s and 5c and iOS 7. Including a deep dive on Touch ID; how easier security measures could boost iTunes sales; Jim's new-found photo skills with the 5s camera; what Jim looks for in the wiring under his wood; and more. Special guest Merlin Mann.
• iTunes - Books - Writing On The iPad: Text Automation with Editorial by Federico Viticci
  "Writing On The iPad: Text Automation with Editorial" demonstrates how Markdown and iOS power users can take their iPad productivity to the next level by crafting automated workflows and scripts to speed up writing, editing, and publishing.
• The Wake Digital Comics - Comics by comiXology
  Writer Scott Snyder and artist Sean Murphy explore the horrors of the deep, probe the origins of human history, and leap far beyond to a frightening future.
• Runa Focused Energy, Traditional Guayusa Tea, 16-Count Tea Bags: Amazon.com: Grocery & Gourmet Food
  Traditional Guayusa is energizing, smooth, and rich, with a hint of natural sweetness, guayusa helps you be awake and alert. Guayusa (why-you-sa) provides balanced, sustainable energy without bitterness, jitters, or crash.
• Video of iPhone 5s' slow-mo - Boing Boing
  At the terrifically fun XOXO Fest in Portland last weekend I met Haddie Cooke and Dan Benjamin of the 5by5 podcast network. They produce two of my favorite podcasts: The Ihnatko Almanac and Latest in Paleo. When I met them, they were hanging out with Duncan Davidson, who had just picked up the iPhone 5s. He was showing how the new 120 fps slo-mo video works.
• 5by5 | Amplified #72: I Have to Shiv a Guy at 7 on Huffduffer
  
• Mac Power Users 156: Editorial with Federico Viticci | Mac Power Users
  David and Katie are joined by Federico Viticci of Macstories.net to talk about writing on the iPad and the newest text editor with built in automation functions, Editorial.
• Amazon.com: Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity + Sleep Wristband, Black: Health & Personal Care
  Never stop moving with Fitbit Flex. Wear this slim, stylish device all the time and get the motivation you need to get out and be more active. It tracks steps, distance, and calories burned and shows you how you?re stacking up against your daily goals. At night, it tracks your sleep cycle, helps you learn how to sleep better, and wakes you silently in the morning. Access your stats anytime on your computer, tablet, or from smartphones ? both iPhone and Android. Flex is your perfect companion, and stays with you everywhere - even in the shower.
• Amazon.com: Withings Wireless Scale WS-30, White: Health & Personal Care
  
• SyncMetrics
  
• Time Management & Productivity Tracking Software (Mac/PC/Android/Linux) | RescueTime
  
• merlin mann on Huffduffer
  
• merlinmann on Huffduffer
  
• Ep. 85: "Steamin' John" - Roderick on the Line - Merlin Mann
  The Problem: It’s just a long circle of brother-in-laws.
• Macular degeneration - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a medical condition which usually affects older adults and results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field (the macula) because of damage to the retina. It occurs in "dry" and "wet" forms. It is a major cause of blindness and visual impairment in older adults (>50 years). Macular degeneration can make it difficult or impossible to read or recognize faces, although enough peripheral vision remains to allow other activities of daily life.
• American Vampire Vol. 1: Scott Snyder, Stephen King, Rafael Albuquerque: 9781401229740: Amazon.com: Books
  
• Punk Rock Jesus: Sean Murphy: 9781401237684: Amazon.com: Books
  

This week's episode of Back to Work is kindly sponsored by:

• BusyCal
• HostGator (use discount code "BACKTOWORK9" for 30% off)