All Episodes — Back to Work

Episode 93: 67 Points of Articulation

TOPIC: Florida, Education, and Peaking This week, Dan and Merlin continue their purging personal odyssey through the state of Florida. Isolation, education, and a parting admonition not to throw your cap in the air. Also, for the comic nerds, Merlin recommends checking out the exciting new stuff happening with "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Now">Marvel NOW!</a>" Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/cat.mhtml?lang=en&amp;search_source=search_form&amp;version=llv1&amp;anyorall=all&amp;safesearch=1&amp;searchterm=superheroes&amp;search_group=" class="link" target="_blank">Superheroes Stock Photos, Superheroes Stock Photography, Superheroes Stock Images : Shutterstock.com</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/35621645665/magnets-and-memories" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • I ? My Freezer Door I’m a lucky little man.</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/35449838888/marvelous" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • In Which We Literally Marvel This is part...</a> </li><li><a href="http://cl.ly/image/0q2g1c401y0d" class="link" target="_blank">Shutterstock: Merlin&#x27;s &quot;Superheroes&quot; Lightbox</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/public_lightbox.mhtml?lightbox_id=15294652&amp;code=eb23faa94b62586ba82415b350d62d56" class="link" target="_blank">Superheroes : Shutterstock Stock Photography</a> </li><li><a href="http://bettermess.com/how-to-pitch-with-textexpander/" class="link" target="_blank">How To Pitch With TextExpander</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Now" class="link" target="_blank">Marvel NOW! - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://marvel.com/marvelnow" class="link" target="_blank">Marvel Now | Comics | Marvel.com</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Posehn" class="link" target="_blank">Brian Posehn - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.comixology.com/Avengers-vs-X-Men-Collected-Edition/digital-comic/JUL120630" class="link" target="_blank">Avengers vs. X-Men: Collected Edition - Comics by comiXology</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.comixology.com/AVX-Consequences/comics-series/8690" class="link" target="_blank">AVX: Consequences Digital Comics - Comics by comiXology</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000D12XS/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Spider-Man 2: The Movie - 18&quot; AMAZING SPIDER-MAN SUPER POSEABLE Action Figure - 67 POINTS OF ARTICULATION!: Toys &amp; Games</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/comicshack/7" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | The Comic Shack #7: Snakt!</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/giantsize" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Giant Size</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/b2w/7" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Back to Work #7: Vocational Wheel</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.phbt.org/vocational_wheel/" class="link" target="_blank">Back to Work: Vocational Wheel, unofficial transcript</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0785114823/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Avengers Disassembled: Brian Michael Bendis, David Finch: 9780785114826: Amazon.com: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0785117210/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">House of M: Brian Michael Bendis, Olivier Coipel: 9780785117216: Amazon.com: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0785123202/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">X-Men: Messiah Complex: Ed Brubaker, Mike Carey, Craig Kyle, Chris Yost, Peter David, Marc Silvestri, Billy Tan, Chris Bachalo, Humberto Ramos, Scot Eaton: 9780785123200: Amazon.com: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0785157050/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">X-Men: Second Coming: Christopher Yost, Craig Kyle, Mike Carey, Matt Fraction, Zeb Wells, David Finch, Mike Choi, Terry Dodson, Ibraim Roberson, Greg Land: 9780785157052: Amazon.com: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0785131736/5by5-20" cl

Nov 13, 20121h 36m

Episode 92: The Florida Episode

TOPIC: Florida. Hinted at since <a href="http://5by5.tv/b2w/1">Episode 1</a>—and repeatedly threatened nearly every week since—here, at last: The Florida Episode. The heat, the driving, the isolation, the driving, the white driveways, the early-bird specials, the menacing parking-lot violence, the driving, the people, the stop lights, the gates, the urology clinics, the driving, the short pants, the driving, and much MUCH more. In part one of what will surely be an epic, multi-episode arc, Dan and Merlin finally start coming to terms with their undistinguished youths in the Sunshine State. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="https://maps.google.com/?ll=27.897349,-81.815186&amp;spn=6.696861,9.228516&amp;t=m&amp;z=7" class="link" target="_blank">Google Maps</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Publix" class="link" target="_blank">Publix - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winn-Dixie_(supermarket)" class="link" target="_blank">Winn-Dixie - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/cat.mhtml?lang=en&amp;search_source=search_form&amp;version=llv1&amp;anyorall=all&amp;safesearch=1&amp;searchterm=florida&amp;search_group=" class="link" target="_blank">Florida Stock Photos, Florida Stock Photography, Florida Stock Images : Shutterstock.com</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laissez-faire" class="link" target="_blank">Laissez-faire - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Boxes" class="link" target="_blank">Little Boxes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://searchengineland.com/finally-google-new-search-app-approved-ready-for-iphone-ipad-138164" class="link" target="_blank">New Google Search App With Siri-Like Voice Responses Finally Approved For iOS</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guayabera" class="link" target="_blank">Guayabera - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Scissorhands" class="link" target="_blank">Edward Scissorhands - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida" class="link" target="_blank">Florida - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://ghs.pasco.k12.fl.us/" class="link" target="_blank">Gulf High School</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.ncf.edu/" class="link" target="_blank">New College of Florida - Florida&#x27;s Public Honors College for the Liberal Arts and Sciences - New College of Florida</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elfers" class="link" target="_blank">Elfers, Florida - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=key+west&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;ei=b5KZULnoFc3RiALh94D4BQ&amp;ved=0CAgQ_AUoAA" class="link" target="_blank">Pensacola, FL to Key West, FL - Google Maps (a 13-hour drive)</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35034346876@N01/649918154" class="link" target="_blank">1987 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (Merlin&#x27;s in New College&#x27;s Palm Court)</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.ting.com" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Ting - Mobile That Makes Sense</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Stock Photos | Shutterstock: Royalty-Free Subscription Stock Photography &amp; Vector Art</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santer%C3%ADa" class="link" target="_blank">Santería - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li></ul><a href="http://shutterstock.com" title="Stock Photos | Shutterstock: Royalty-Free Subscription Stock Photography &amp; Vector Art - Search and select from millions of high resolution royalty free images, stock photos, vector art, and stock photography.">Shutterstock</a> (use code "dansentme10" for 30% off) and <a href="http://5by5.ting.com" title="Ting - Mobile That Makes Sense">Ting</a> ($50 off your first device for Back to Work listene

Nov 7, 20121h 18m

Episode 91: Compiling Stallman From Source

TOPIC: The tech you want, and the tech you can live with. On our second Last Show Ever™, Merlin and Dan talk about parenting, Gatsby hats, note taking and sharing, the Techno-Organic virus, and more. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/188088087/features-our-gatsby-summer-afternoon-nested" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • Features: Our Gatsby Summer Afternoon - Nested...</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mena/3918757814/" class="link" target="_blank">Our Gatsby Group | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mena/3919106063/" class="link" target="_blank">Mr. Mann &amp; the Girls | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Techno-organic_virus" class="link" target="_blank">Techno-organic virus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warlock_(New_Mutants)" class="link" target="_blank">Warlock (New Mutants) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.snapseed.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Snapseed | Snap it. Tweak it. Love it. Share it.</a> </li><li><a href="http://nebulousapps.net/" class="link" target="_blank">Nebulous Notes</a> </li></ul>Sponsored by <a href="http://squarespace.com/backtowork" title="Build a Website - Squarespace 6">Squarespace</a> and <a href="http://hover.com/dansentme">Hover</a>. Use code "DANSENTME" for 10% off.

Oct 30, 20121h 10m

Episode 90: Quit!™

TOPIC: Sleep and How to Get It This week, Dan and Merlin talk about sleep—why we need it, why most of us don't get enough of it, and why we all strain to find a million excuses for perpetually walking around like a sad zombie. Chock-a-block with painful personal anecdotes, horrible cautionary tales, and scary hand-waving about Recent Medical Science, your hosts make their best case for taking your own sleep more seriously. Now. Also, loaded with tips on how to sleep better, with a heavy emphasis on a wonderful iOS app called, "<a href="http://www.sleepcycle.com/">Sleep Cycle</a>." Pretty good for our last episode. (Guys, we were kidding! KIDDING!) Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://brettterpstra.com/turn-your-iphone-into-a-cough-button/?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BrettTerpstra+%28Brett+Terpstra%29" class="link" target="_blank">Turn your iPhone into a cough button - Brett Terpstra</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Cristo_sandwich" class="link" target="_blank">Monte Cristo sandwich - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.sleepcycle.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Sleep Cycle alarm clock</a> </li><li><a href="http://stereopsis.com/flux/" class="link" target="_blank">f.lux: software to make your life better</a> </li><li><a href="http://danmarner.com/2012/10/23/Dan-Benjamin-vs-Sarlacc-Pit.html" class="link" target="_blank">Dan Benjamin vs Sarlacc Pit</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1582406197/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">The Walking Dead,Book One (Book 1): Robert Kirkman,Tony Moore,Charlie Adlard,Cliff Rathburn: 9781582406190: Amazon.com: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://marvel.com/marvelnow" class="link" target="_blank">Marvel Now | Comics | Marvel.com</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0930289234/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Watchmen: Alan Moore,Dave Gibbons: 9780930289232: Amazon.com: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/33908352342/times-they-are-a-changing" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • &quot;Watchmen&quot; Credit Shot</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/34062209718/stickler" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - &quot;Continuity Stickler&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://mattressscam.com/" class="link" target="_blank">The Mattress Scam | How to Buy a Mattress</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_power" class="link" target="_blank">Cat Power - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.radiosurvivor.com/2012/10/18/podcast-survivor-back-to-work-88-so-many-reasons-to-cry/" class="link" target="_blank">Podcast Survivor: Back to Work #88 - So Many Reasons To Cry | Radio Survivor</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106856/combined" class="link" target="_blank">Falling Down (1993)</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Dog_Coalition" class="link" target="_blank">Blue Dog Coalition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naming_convention" class="link" target="_blank">Naming convention - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naming_conventions_of_Iceland" class="link" target="_blank">Icelandic name - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://namingschemes.com/Main_Page" class="link" target="_blank">Network Naming Schemes</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.studioneat.com/products/cosmonaut" class="link" target="_blank">Studio Neat — Cosmonaut</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.opm.gov/rif/general/rifguide.asp" class="link" target="_blank">The Employee&#x27;s Guide to Reduction in Force</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJo0MT3wDBs" class="link" target="_blank">Harvey Danger - Flagpole Sitta [1997] - I&#x27;m Not Sick But I&#x27;m Not Well! - YouTube</a>

Oct 23, 20121h 25m

Episode 89: Burlap Sack Full of Oranges

TOPIC: Programming Your Kid's Danger Room. This week, Dan and Merlin discuss the parenthood racket: the advice and expectations, the doubt and the fear, the assessment, the concentric circles, the snow cones. Parenting means programming a Danger Room that teaches you and the kid to handle the hovering, the hitting, the losing, and the play structure. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shmuel" class="link" target="_blank">Shmuel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/danbenjamin/5546883592/" class="link" target="_blank">The name is Bond. | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a> </li><li><a href="http://kottke.org/09/05/at-the-playground-ya-know" class="link" target="_blank">At the playground (ya know?)</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/merlin/4327650937/" class="link" target="_blank">Hippie | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/merlin/4326484776/" class="link" target="_blank">The Author at Work | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a> </li><li><a href="http://careers.mutualmobile.com/fivebyfive" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] iOS Engineering - Mutual Mobile</a> </li><li><a href="http://squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Build a Website - Squarespace 6</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Stock Photos and Royalty-Free Images by Subscription - Shutterstock</a> </li><li><a href="http://hover.com/dansentme" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Hover - domain name and email management made simple</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-51-in-pursuit-of-an-errant-leaf.html" class="link" target="_blank">Ep. 51: &quot;In Pursuit of an Errant Leaf&quot; - Roderick on the Line - Merlin Mann</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/danbenjamin/status/255734002869227520" class="link" target="_blank">Twitter / danbenjamin: GF dining in NYC at L&#x27;Asso ...</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.hopnplay.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Hop &#x27;n Play Kids Indoor Playground in Tanforan Shopping Center (San Bruno, CA)</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/shining.html" class="link" target="_blank">&quot;The Shining&quot; - Production Script</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/buildanalyze/99" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Build and Analyze #99: The Podcast</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/hypercritical/89" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Hypercritical #89: Lazy Sunday</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danger_Room" class="link" target="_blank">Danger Room - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://marvel.com/universe/Danger_Room" class="link" target="_blank">Danger Room - Marvel Universe Wiki: The definitive online source for Marvel super hero bios.</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=x-men+danger+room&amp;hl=en&amp;safe=off&amp;prmd=imvns&amp;tbm=isch&amp;tbo=u&amp;source=univ&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=qqZ9UL_9KPDUyQHi8ICYAQ&amp;ved=0CC0QsAQ&amp;biw=1202&amp;bih=1612#hl=en&amp;safe=off&amp;tbm=isch&amp;sa=1&amp;q=x-men+%22danger+room%22&amp;oq=x-men+%22danger+room%22&amp;gs_l=img" class="link" target="_blank">x-men &quot;danger room&quot; - Google Image Search</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiddler_on_the_Roof" class="link" target="_blank">Fiddler on the Roof - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kZg_ALxEz0&amp;feature=related" class="link" target="_blank">Glengarry Glen Ross speech - YouTube</a> </li></ul>This week's episode of Back to Work is kindly sponsored by <a href="http://hover.com/dansentme" title="Hover - domain name and email management made simple">Hover</a>, <a href="http://careers.mutualmobile.com/fivebyfive" title="iOS Engineering - Mutual Mobile">Mutual Mobile</a>, <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/" title="Stock Photos and Royalty-Free Images by S

Oct 16, 20121h 31m

Episode 88: So Many Reasons to Cry

TOPIC: Finding Grit. This week, Dan and Merlin return to a popular topic from <a href="http://5by5.tv/b2w/87">last week</a>: grit. Why is it we stick with some things but totally abandon so many others? Why'd Merlin give up on learning "Little Brown Jug" on the trombone, then double-down on nailing "Pinball Wizard" on guitar? How come Dan got so good at programming, but can't kick a damned football to save his life? Is there a framework for understanding why we remember hit points, don't travel, can't draw, and forget why every good boy deserves fudge? Along the way, Merlin accidentally—grudgingly—reveals that he actually knows things about sportsball, Dan breaks down the exhilarating rewards of immediate feedback, and both hosts wonder how Mariano Rivera can keep his cool after giving up a two-run homer. Also, there's a pseudo-interesting rathole on why Merlin may or may not start spending more time with App.net. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="https://dovetail-demo.squarespace.com/?clickid=wXOQOSS6rXMAXWY0ACSAkQ84UkUSos1pzWLWU40&amp;campaign=38421&amp;source=20321&amp;cpid=&amp;subchannel=IR&amp;channel=aff" class="link" target="_blank">New Squarespace 6 Template: Dovetail</a> </li><li><a href="https://five-demo.squarespace.com/?clickid=wXOQOSS6rXMAXWY0ACSAkQ84UkUSos3VzWLWU40&amp;campaign=38421&amp;source=20321&amp;cpid=&amp;subchannel=IR&amp;channel=aff" class="link" target="_blank">New Squarespace 6 Template: Five</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0195167015/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification: Christopher Peterson,Martin Seligman: 9780195167016: Amazon.com: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salad_days" class="link" target="_blank">Salad days - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://philnoto.tumblr.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Your Nice New Outfit</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Dee" class="link" target="_blank">Jeff Dee - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.5ives.com/archives/2008/08/19/445/" class="link" target="_blank">Five rejected names for Austin BBQ restaurants | 5ives</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jeffdee/re-creating-my-art-from-s3-expedition-to-the-barri" class="link" target="_blank">Re-Creating my Art from S3: Expedition to the Barrier Peaks by Jeff Dee — Kickstarter</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horatio_Alger,_Jr." class="link" target="_blank">Horatio Alger, Jr. - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariano_Rivera" class="link" target="_blank">Mariano Rivera - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chateaubriand_steak" class="link" target="_blank">Chateaubriand steak - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://x-mann.tumblr.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Giant-Size X-Mann</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0785132511/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">New X-Men,Vol. 1: Grant Morrison,Frank Quitely,Ethan Van Sciver,Leinil Francis Yu,Igor Kordey,Tom Derenick: 9780785132516: Amazon.com: Books</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/sween" class="link" target="_blank">Jason Sweeney (sween) on Twitter</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/robcorddry" class="link" target="_blank">rob corddry (robcorddry) on Twitter</a> </li><li><a href="https://alpha.app.net/hotdogsladies" class="link" target="_blank">hotdogsladies on App.net</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJCPxOleEhk" class="link" target="_blank">[video] The Simpsons - &quot;I Have A Ham Radio&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001P4L1ZS/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: I Can Do That Games Curious George Hide and Seek Zoo: Toys &amp; Games</a> </li><li><a href="http://smilesoftware.com/b2w" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Smile Software</a> </li><li><a href="

Oct 9, 20121h 51m

Episode 87: Nothing to Declare But My Coconuts

TOPIC: Grit, Confidence, and Intuition. This week, Dan and Merlin begin a conversation on what researchers and educators are learning about why students of all ages do or don't succeed. Yes, it's about intelligence and other cognitive skills, but it's also about tenacity, courage, self-restraint, and resolve. It's really about grit. See our show notes for lots of links to the stuff that inspired our topic, but definitely tune in for Merlin's slight addendum to the formula: mixing in our growing confidence in our own intuition. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/474/back-to-school" class="link" target="_blank">Back to School | This American Life</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/magazine/what-if-the-secret-to-success-is-failure.html?_r=1&amp;pagewanted=all&amp;_moc.semityn.www" class="link" target="_blank">What if the Secret to Success Is Failure? - NYTimes.com</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/32221049940/grit" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • [MP3] Back to School | This American Life ...</a> </li><li><a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/paultough" class="link" target="_blank">Twitter</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0547564651/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">How Children Succeed: Grit,Curiosity,and the Hidden Power of Character: Paul Tough: 9780547564654: Amazon.com: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Tough" class="link" target="_blank">Paul Tough - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://6thfloor.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/04/what-makes-a-good-teacher/" class="link" target="_blank">What Makes a Good Teacher? - NYTimes.com</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/books/review/how-children-succeed-by-paul-tough.html?pagewanted=all" class="link" target="_blank">‘How Children Succeed,’ by Paul Tough - NYTimes.com</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00011CZRE/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Seven (Single Disc Edition): Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, John C. McGinley, Darius Khondji, David Fincher, Arnold Kopelson, Phyllis Carlyle, Gianni Nunnari, Dan Kolsrud, Anne Kopelson, Andrew Kevin Walker: Movies &amp; TV</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00464F19Q/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Seven: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, John C. McGinley: Amazon Instant Video</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Educational_Development" class="link" target="_blank">General Educational Development - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grit_(personality_trait)" class="link" target="_blank">Grit (personality trait) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://backtowork.igloocommunities.com/teams" class="link" target="_blank">Teams - Back to Work</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickgray/378694469/" class="link" target="_blank">EXCLUSIVE - Waffle House grill cook cheat sheet | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a> </li><li><a href="http://j-walkblog.com/index.php?/weblog/posts/waffle_house_code_cracked/" class="link" target="_blank">The J-Walk Blog: Waffle House Code Cracked</a> </li><li><a href="http://backtowork.igloocommunities.com/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Igloo Software (Check out our **amazing** &quot;Back to Work&quot; community)</a> </li><li><a href="http://grantwiggins.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/grit-character-and-academic-success-thoughtlessness-part-3/" class="link" target="_blank">Grit, character and academic success: thoughtlessness, part 3 « Granted, but…</a> </li><li><a href="http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/classroom_qa_with_larry_ferlazzo/2012/09/response_an_interview_with_paul_tough_on_character_schools.html" class="link" target="_blank">Response: An Interview With Paul Tough On Character &amp; Schools - Classroom Q&amp;A With Larry Ferlazzo - Education Week Teacher</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.npr.org/2012/09/04/160258240/children-succeed-with-character-

Oct 2, 20121h 31m

Episode 86: The Talmud of Claremont

TOPIC: Anxious about the Change This week Merlin updates Dan about his schedule changes. They're going to come, but it's probably the anxiety, not the change, that is the problem. Take heart, it may be the change that you need. While you're at it, take the opportunity to plan your buffers and ramp up times. Your schedule will work better, your vacation may be less stressful, your pie will stay alive. Bonus: Dan and Merlin's comic book recommendations for new readers. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://service.squarespace.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Squarespace Service Updates - Service Blog</a> </li><li><a href="http://developers.squarespace.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Squarespace Developer Center</a> </li><li><a href="https://backtowork.igloocommunities.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Home - Back to Work</a> </li><li><a href="https://backtowork.igloocommunities.com/wiki" class="link" target="_blank">Wiki - Back to Work</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/32248429078/a-little-background" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • Just in terms of a little background. Catching...</a> </li><li><a href="http://rsmallbone.tumblr.com/post/32223087942/on-pooping-in-public-bathrooms" class="link" target="_blank">Now, don&#x27;t take this the wrong way...</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/474/back-to-school" class="link" target="_blank">Back to School | This American Life</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/magazine/what-if-the-secret-to-success-is-failure.html?pagewanted=all&amp;_moc.semityn.www" class="link" target="_blank">What if the Secret to Success Is Failure? - NYTimes.com</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.macdrifter.com/2012/09/feedburner-reader-and-googles-priorities.html" class="link" target="_blank">Feedburner, Reader and Google&#x27;s Priorities</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0785115315/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Astonishing X-Men Vol. 1: Gifted: Joss Whedon,John Cassaday: 9780785115311: Amazon.com: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.comixology.com/Astonishing-X-Men-Vol-1-Gifted/digital-comic/OCT041800" class="link" target="_blank">Astonishing X-Men Vol. 1: Gifted - Comics by comiXology</a> </li><li><a href="http://merlinm.com/s6/" class="link" target="_blank">Merlin’s Squarespace 6 Blog — Merlin Mann</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.iflicksapp.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Manage your Video Collection with iTunes | iFlicks</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.themoviedb.org/" class="link" target="_blank">TMDb — The Movie Database</a> </li><li><a href="http://thetvdb.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Online TV Database - An open directory of television shows for HTPC software</a> </li><li><a href="http://brianmichaelbendis.tumblr.com/" class="link" target="_blank">BENDIS!</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-fructose_corn_syrup" class="link" target="_blank">High-fructose corn syrup - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/pablosquirrel/statuses/250486002752315392" class="link" target="_blank">Twitter / pablosquirrel: @hotdogsladies @danbenjamin ...</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/32221049940/grit" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • [MP3] Back to School | This American Life ...</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn/201209/children-s-freedom-has-declined-so-has-their-creativity" class="link" target="_blank">As Children’s Freedom Has Declined, So Has Their Creativity | Psychology Today</a> </li><li><a href="http://iflicksapp.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Manage your Video Collection with iTunes | iFlicks</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.paulgraham.com/makersschedule.html" class="link" target="_blank">Maker&#x27;s Schedule, Manager&#x27;s Schedule</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1401229743/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">American Vampire Vol. 1: S

Sep 25, 20121h 42m

Episode 85: Schrödinger's Soap Holder

TOPIC: One Operational Paper Towel; One Safety Paper Towel. This week, Dan and Merlin discuss how to use a public restroom. There's some other stuff, too. But, yeah. Mostly Dan and Merlin discuss how to use a public restroom. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/5by5/pool/with/7998651283/" class="link" target="_blank">Flickr: The 5by5 Pool</a> </li><li><a href="http://rotl.tumblr.com/post/31741929458/rotl-48-trailer" class="link" target="_blank">Roderick on the Line • Roderick on the Line Ep. 48 Trailer - “Wherever...</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/nebulousapps/status/247620250747686912" class="link" target="_blank">Twitter / nebulousapps: Just submitted Nebulous Notes ...</a> </li><li><a href="http://pastebin.com/G4a7vVYX" class="link" target="_blank">Nebulous Notes 6.0 Features - Pastebin.com</a> </li><li><a href="http://sandwichvideo.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Sandwich Video</a> </li><li><a href="http://lonelysandwich.com/" class="link" target="_blank">lonelysandwich</a> </li><li><a href="https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/chit" class="link" target="_blank">chit - Wiktionary</a> </li><li><a href="http://airblade.dyson.com/cmp/dy_ork/index.jsp" class="link" target="_blank">Dyson Airblade™ hand dryer</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69_lJJe4M-g" class="link" target="_blank">The Aviator towel scene - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7ucqimdau8" class="link" target="_blank">Howard Hughes - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Public-Restroom" class="link" target="_blank">How to Use a Public Restroom: 12 steps - wikiHow</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U9VnvTqwSs" class="link" target="_blank">Cleanliness and Hygiene in Public Restrooms - Tork Experts on Designing Spaces - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://publicrestrooms.lifetips.com/cat/61833/bathroom-hygiene-guide/index.html" class="link" target="_blank">Bathroom Hygeine Guide, Tips About Bathroom Germs, Bathroom Cleanliness Tip</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_toilet" class="link" target="_blank">Public toilet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2005/09/08/kick-procrastinations-ass-run-a-dash" class="link" target="_blank">Kick procrastination&#x27;s ass: Run a dash | 43 Folders</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1585425524/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play: Neil Fiore: 9781585425525: Amazon.com: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1576754227/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time: Brian Tracy: 9781576754221: Amazon.com: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0142000280/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity: David Allen: 9780142000281: Amazon.com: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2006/02/01/ganging-tasks" class="link" target="_blank">Ganging your mosquito tasks | 43 Folders</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/hotdogsladies/status/247839701942288385" class="link" target="_blank">Twitter / hotdogsladies: @velorg Are you a ...</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.idse.net/ViewArticle.aspx?d=Bacterial+Infections+%2F+MRSA&amp;d_id=211&amp;i=May+2011&amp;i_id=727&amp;a_id=17033" class="link" target="_blank">Infectious Disease Special Edition - Neckties for Physicians: Rethinking the Practice</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.exceldryer.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Excel Hand Dryer | Hand Dryers | XLERATOR</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/lonelysandwich" class="link" target="_blank">Adam Lisagor (lonelysandwich) on Twitter</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/scottsimpson" class="link" target="_blank">Scott Simpson (scottsimpson) on

Sep 18, 20121h 22m

Episode 84: Every Genie is an Actuary

TOPIC: Superpowers, Madness, and the Pursuit of Interesting Problems Dan and Merlin talk about the superpowers you have and can't control as well as the demons and drivers that our heroes have and can't control. How sometimes we find ourselves craving the screaming in someone else's head. Because, we surely do love and revere our Beautiful Losers and Genius Lunatics. Entered into evidence: Hunter S. Thompson, The Incredible Hulk, Sylvia Plath, Brian Wilson, Nightcrawler, Van Gogh, Syd Barrett, Tom Waits, Robert Lowell, Howard Hughes, and Corporate Stooges (n.b.: Dan said that; not Merlin). The upshot? Try not to get too obsessed with someone else's ether in the convertible or, for that matter, the cake in your own conference room. Get excited about constantly releasing that "better version of yourself"—and make the world a happy beneficiary of your own particular madness. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://smilesoftware.com/b2w/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] PDFpen for iPad: PDF Editing Software for Mac iOS</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/08/efficiency-ninja-part-3/" class="link" target="_blank">Efficiency Ninja Part 3: A Tablet, a Stylus, a Man, and a Plan | GeekDad | Wired.com</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/05/how-to-transfer/" class="link" target="_blank">How to Transfer Kids&#x27; Activity Books to the iPad (GeekDad Wayback Machine) | GeekDad | Wired.com</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/b2w/31" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Back to Work #31: You Can Polish AC/DC All Day Long</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/06/30/080630fa_fact_gawande?currentPage=all" class="link" target="_blank">Scratching an itch through the scalp to the brain : The New Yorker</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/30880451838/way-of-the-future" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • Way of the future. Way of the future.</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00080ZG10/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: The Aviator (Two-Disc Widescreen Edition): Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, John C. Reilly, Alec Baldwin, Willem Dafoe, Stanley DeSantis, Alan Alda, Kelli Garner, Edward Herrmann, Ian Holm, Danny Huston, Jude Law, Frances Co</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000VZGK3K/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: The Aviator [Blu-ray]: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, John C. Reilly, Alec Baldwin, Stanley de Santis, Sam Hennings, Edward Herrmann, Ian Holm, Vincent Laresca, J.C. MacKenzie, Frances Conroy, Brent Spiner, Alan Alda, Dann</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001N09BDS/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: The Aviator: Leonardo Dicaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, John C. Reilly: Amazon Instant Video</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Aviator_(2004_film)" class="link" target="_blank">The Aviator (2004 film) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0393326020/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Howard Hughes: His Life and Madness: Donald L. Barlett,James B. Steele: 9780393326024: Amazon.com: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rClDI3yWG94" class="link" target="_blank">Ultra Man Intro - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actuary" class="link" target="_blank">Actuary - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5URCGyMINg" class="link" target="_blank">ALL THAT JAZZ. Show time - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace (10% off with offer code, &quot;`dingus`&quot;) </a> </li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Pbx9mvWPY" class="link" target="_blank">The Aviator ending scene (&quot;The way of the FUTURE.&quot;) - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/4057956575/thats-what-you-do" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • “That’s What You Do.” Viz. Ibid. Bless you,...</a

Sep 11, 20121h 43m

Episode 83: Way of the Future

TOPIC: Obsessions, Compulsions, Obsessions, and Compulsions. Also, Obsessions—and Compulsions. This week, Dan and Merlin lick the doorknob five times, tap their heads with their shoes, and ponder the problem of obsessions and compulsions. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://jxpx777.com/U3RheWluZy1vbi1U" class="link" target="_blank">Staying on Top of Calendar Events — Jamie Phelps</a> </li><li><a href="http://youlooknicetoday.com/episode/morning-glory" class="link" target="_blank">Morning Glory | You Look Nice Today</a> </li><li><a href="http://jxpx777.com/20120901-calendar-tyranny" class="link" target="_blank">Staying on Top of Calendar Events — Jamie Phelps</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114323/combined" class="link" target="_blank">Safe (1995)</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.5ives.com/archives/2003/01/11/five-somewhat-novel-compulsions-i-had-at-one-time-or-another/" class="link" target="_blank">Five Somewhat Novel Compulsions I had at one time or another | 5ives</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/b2w/29" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Back to Work #29: I Download FLAC</a> </li><li><a href="http://hivelogic.com/articles/how-to-start-a-meditation-practice/" class="link" target="_blank">How To Start a Meditation Practice</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Pbx9mvWPY" class="link" target="_blank">The Aviator ending scene , the way of the future. - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_behavioral_therapy" class="link" target="_blank">Cognitive behavioral therapy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Pbx9mvWPY" class="link" target="_blank">The Aviator ending scene , the way of the future. - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://thisrecording.com/today/2012/1/18/in-which-we-sleepwalk-at-our-convenience.html" class="link" target="_blank">In Which We Sleepwalk At Our Convenience - Home - This Recording</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/52/edge-of-sanity" class="link" target="_blank">Edge of Sanity | This American Life</a> </li><li><a href="http://nacbt.org/historyofcbt.htm" class="link" target="_blank">History of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/MY00194" class="link" target="_blank">Cognitive behavioral therapy - MayoClinic.com</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/keyword/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/" class="link" target="_blank">Best &quot;Obsessive Compulsive Disorder&quot; Titles</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.ting.com" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Ting - Mobile That Makes Sense</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trepanning" class="link" target="_blank">Trepanning - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0316777730/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Naked (9780316777735): David Sedaris: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attractive_nuisance_doctrine" class="link" target="_blank">Attractive nuisance doctrine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.hos.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Hearts of Space</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.bipolar-lives.com/winston-churchill-and-manic-depression.html" class="link" target="_blank">Winston Churchill and Manic Depression: A fatal curse or the root of his genius?</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063121/combined" class="link" target="_blank">Ice Station Zebra (1968)</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1931498822/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Don&#x27;t Think Of An Elephant!/ How Democrats And Progressives Can Win: Know Your Values And Frame The Debate: The Essential Guide For Progressives (Paperback + DVD edition) (9781931498821): George Lakoff, Howard Dean, Don Hazen: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://jxpx777.com/20120905-latest-anxiety-reliever" class="link" target="_blank">Latest Anxiety Rel

Sep 4, 20121h 32m

Episode 82: Blue Food in Your Refrigerator

TOPIC: Capture, Contracts, and Mapping the Territory. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about keeping an honest calendar and ensuring you regularly review your "contracts" with yourself. Chock-a-block with practical COM-ponents for making sure your map is up to date with the territory. ¿Spanish question marks? ¡Si! Zibba-zabba! Fax my gal! Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace (10% off with offer code, &quot;`soold`&quot;) </a> </li><li><a href="http://merlinm.com/s6/" class="link" target="_blank">Merlin’s Squarespace 6 Blog — Merlin Mann</a> </li><li><a href="http://merlinm.com/s6/ep-03-blocks-intro" class="link" target="_blank">[Screencast] Ep. 03: Blocks Intro — Merlin’s Squarespace 6 Blog — Merlin Mann</a> </li><li><a href="http://merlinm.com/s6/requests" class="link" target="_blank">Q: What would you like to see here? — Merlin’s Squarespace 6 Blog — Merlin Mann</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/hotdogsladies/status/238015327294849024" class="link" target="_blank">Twitter / hotdogsladies: Offer—mail me a SASE and ...</a> </li><li><a href="http://i-0.us/b2wstarter" class="link" target="_blank">Back to Work Starter Pack — Merlin Mann</a> </li><li><a href="https://mlkshk.com/p/IOU9" class="link" target="_blank">I…uh…have plenty to spare. - mlkshk</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/merlin/5341655479" class="link" target="_blank">Garden Gnome | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rondo_Hatton" class="link" target="_blank">Rondo Hatton - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/30189095040/hooooly-shit-looks-like-a-few-people-want-them" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • Hooooly shit. Looks like a few people want them...</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/30108161205/rotl-for-serious-scholarship-only-two-hundred" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • rotl: For serious scholarship only. Two hundred...</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeboxing" class="link" target="_blank">Timeboxing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000EMDK3S/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Aveda Self Control Hair Styling Stick, 2.6 oz (75 g): Beauty</a> </li><li><a href="https://ting.com/r/5by5" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Ting - Mobile That Makes Sense</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugue_state" class="link" target="_blank">Fugue state - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/b2w/61" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Back to Work #61: I Handed Him My Luke</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverted_question_and_exclamation_marks" class="link" target="_blank">Inverted question and exclamation marks - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000XR835Y/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Tap Bell -Desk Bell - Nickle Plated, Black base: Sports &amp; Outdoors</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2006/07/24/b2gtd-mind-sweep" class="link" target="_blank">Back to GTD: Do a fast &quot;mind-sweep&quot; | 43 Folders</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/merlin/5341655479/" class="link" target="_blank">Garden Gnome | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/merlin/sets/72157627554067370/" class="link" target="_blank">John Roderick: A Night on the Town - a set on Flickr</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0142000280/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity: David Allen: 9780142000281: Amazon.com: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://dayoneapp.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Day One | A simple Journal</a> </li><li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dslr-

Aug 27, 20121h 26m

Episode 81: LAMP for Your Productivity

TOPIC: Honesty and Sociopathy Go to Work Merlin and Dan talk about the cultural divide between you and your work. Coping with work is a little like being a sociopath so you better make sure you're taking away the right lessons and being honest about the right things. Anything else is a little dishonest. You don't need to quit your job, but you made want to at least resign your certainty. Nice!™ Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/29901145891/we-need-to-talk" class="link" target="_blank">&quot;We&#x27;re officially broken-up for ten minutes&quot; TextExpander snippet</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/systematic/6" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Systematic #6: Merlin Talks A Lot</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0142000280/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity: David Allen: 9780142000281: Amazon.com: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://merlinm.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Merlin Mann - Independent Writer, Speaker, and Broadcaster</a> </li><li><a href="http://merlinm.com/s6/" class="link" target="_blank">Squarespace 6 Blog — Merlin Mann</a> </li><li><a href="http://merlinm.com/s6/ep-01-quick-intro" class="link" target="_blank">Ep. 01: Quick Intro — Squarespace 6 Blog — Merlin Mann</a> </li><li><a href="http://merlinm.com/s6/ep-02-content-collections" class="link" target="_blank">Ep. 02: Content Collections — Squarespace 6 Blog — Merlin Mann</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace (10% off with offer code, &quot;`soold`&quot;) </a> </li><li><a href="https://agilebits.com/onepassword" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] 1Password - Have you ever forgotten a password?</a> </li><li><a href="http://smilesoftware.com/b2w/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] TextExpander: Mac Typing Shortcut Utility Saves You Time!</a> </li><li><a href="https://georgecoghill.wordpress.com/2012/08/02/super-fast-wordpress-blog-posts-via-e-mail-with-textexpander-4/" class="link" target="_blank">Super-Fast WordPress Blog Posts via E-Mail with TextExpander 4 « The Overthinker</a> </li><li><a href="https://gist.github.com/3151932" class="link" target="_blank">TextExpander Snippet (using AppleScript) to open the currently visible page in Safari in Chrome — Gist</a> </li><li><a href="http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20120731105734626" class="link" target="_blank">TextExpander shell script snippet to set Safari 6 default fonts - Mac OS X Hints</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.leancrew.com/all-this/2012/08/the-safari-6-url-crisis/" class="link" target="_blank">The Safari 6 URL crisis - All this</a> </li><li><a href="http://blog.agilebits.com/2011/06/21/toward-better-master-passwords/" class="link" target="_blank">Toward Better Master Passwords | Agile Blog</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=mann&#x27;s%20assumption" class="link" target="_blank">Urban Dictionary: mann&#x27;s assumption</a> </li><li><a href="http://meandyou.ws/" class="link" target="_blank">Me &amp; You</a> </li><li><a href="http://meandyou.ws/post/29838129687" class="link" target="_blank">Me &amp; You</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._Lee_Ermey" class="link" target="_blank">R. Lee Ermey - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_procedure" class="link" target="_blank">Voice procedure - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedure_word#Say_Again" class="link" target="_blank">Procedure word - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia {&quot;Say Again&quot;)</a> </li><li><a href="https://commonquote.com/quote/144233/natalie-goldberg/accept-loss-forever-be-submissive-to-everything-open-listening-no-fear-or-shame-in-the-dignity-of" class="link" target="_blank">&quot;Accept loss forever&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/b2w/77" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Back t

Aug 20, 20121h 29m

Episode 80: Cascading Wave of Bad

TOPIC: Kicking and Screaming Merlin has been dragged kicking and screaming into at least two things this week. Sometimes, that works out, and sometimes it doesn't. But, how many of those things do we need? How many can you sign up for? How often do you see Beast coming down the hall? There aren't that many things you have to do, but how can you see it coming? Well, you know where your cumin is and you haven't checked your MySpace this week. How's that for complicated? Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://blog.agilebits.com/2012/07/31/1password-is-ready-for-john-the-ripper/" class="link" target="_blank">1Password is Ready for John the Ripper | Agile Blog</a> </li><li><a href="http://blog.agilebits.com/2012/08/11/blizzard-and-insecurity-questions-my-fathers-middle-name-is-vr2ut1vnj/" class="link" target="_blank">Blizzard and insecurity questions: My father’s middle name is vR2Ut1VNj | Agile Blog</a> </li><li><a href="https://github.com/lowe/zxcvbn" class="link" target="_blank">lowe/zxcvbn</a> </li><li><a href="https://passfault.appspot.com/password_strength.html?#menu" class="link" target="_blank">Passfault Demo: Password Evaluation</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/29219731363/by-way-of-mistletoe" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • Merry Christmas. My office bathroom is a very...</a> </li><li><a href="http://net.tutsplus.com/tutorials/tools-and-tips/sublime-text-2-tips-and-tricks/" class="link" target="_blank">Sublime Text 2 Tips and Tricks (Updated) | Nettuts+</a> </li><li><a href="https://passfault.appspot.com/password_strength.html" class="link" target="_blank">Passfault Demo: Password Evaluation</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/buildanalyze/90" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Build and Analyze #90: This Person Isn&#x27;t Really Here</a> </li><li><a href="https://alpha.app.net/dan" class="link" target="_blank">dan on App.net</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace (10% off with offer code, &quot;`soold`&quot;) </a> </li><li><a href="http://www.igloosoftware.com/xmann" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Back To Work - Igloo Software (giving away a &quot;Giant-Size X-Mann Bundle&quot;)</a> </li><li><a href="http://brettterpstra.com/some-sublime-text-2-packages-of-note/" class="link" target="_blank">Some Sublime Text 2 packages of note - Brett Terpstra</a> </li><li><a href="http://wbond.net/sublime_packages/community#sort-installs" class="link" target="_blank">Sublime Text Packages by the Community – wbond</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/29149561536/non-canonical-maybe-lincoln-is-like-what-a" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • &quot;Non-Canonical&quot; (in which two Jean Greys totally make out)</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/29217301661/ugh" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • You happy now, bitch?</a> </li><li><a href="https://agilebits.com/onepassword" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] 1Password - Have you ever forgotten a password?</a> </li><li><a href="http://blog.agilebits.com/2011/06/21/toward-better-master-passwords/" class="link" target="_blank">Toward Better Master Passwords | Agile Blog</a> </li><li><a href="https://github.com/textmate/textmate/" class="link" target="_blank">textmate/textmate</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2005/10/26/textmate" class="link" target="_blank">Textmate: Recent enhancements | 43 Folders (Merlin&#x27;s first post on TextMate, ca. 2005)</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-34-a-shit-barge-full-of-long-pigs.html" class="link" target="_blank">Ep. 34: &quot;A Shit Barge Full of Long Pigs&quot; - Roderick on the Line - Merlin Mann</a> </li></ul>This week's episode of Back to Work is sponsored by <a href="https://agilebits.com/onepassword" title="1Password by Agile Bits">1Password</a>, <a href="http://www.igloosoftware.com/xmann" title="Igloo Software is a social business software company that builds online communities for businesses of an

Aug 13, 20121h 29m

Episode 79: Mayor Pro Tem of Hoboville

TOPIC: Adapting to the Danger Room of Life Dan and Merlin talk about how the protagonist of your story handles change in personal and work environments. How do you respond in the face of change you haven't anticipated or isn't conducive to who you want to be? What is the worst that could happen? Who can help you except you? Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/28340758213/squint-and-furrow" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • I’m The Old One I love this photo. [via]</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/merlin/sets/1034127/" class="link" target="_blank">Merlin’s Awkward Hair Odyssey - a set on Flickr</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/merlin/283438/in/set-1034127" class="link" target="_blank">badtz &amp; me - march &#x27;99 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/merlin/318814/in/set-1034127" class="link" target="_blank">FL Driver&#x27;s License; Summer, 1991 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/merlin/1355843635/in/set-1034127" class="link" target="_blank">Manhattan, 1989 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/hypercritical/79" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Hypercritical #79: Grandpa Uncle Joe</a> </li><li><a href="http://shop.5by5.tv/products/thats-fine-for-merlin-mann" class="link" target="_blank">[BUY THIS!] Back to Work &#x27;That&#x27;s Fine for Merlin&#x27; T-Shirt</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/28590081719/equine" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • Sweet Dreams (I love you, Alex Hardy)</a> </li><li><a href="http://twitter.com/danbenjamin/status/232524669910126595/photo/1" class="link" target="_blank">Twitter / danbenjamin: In the box http://t.co/NAAGyX9E</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalanche_(comics)" class="link" target="_blank">Avalanche (comics) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_bias" class="link" target="_blank">Cognitive bias - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://merlinm.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Meriln Mann - Indie Writer, Speaker, and Broadcaster</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_tempore" class="link" target="_blank">Pro tempore - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace (10% off with offer code, &quot;`soold`&quot;) </a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0785115315/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Astonishing X-Men Vol. 1: Gifted (9780785115311): Joss Whedon, John Cassaday: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genosha" class="link" target="_blank">Genosha - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://marvel.com/universe/Danger_Room" class="link" target="_blank">Danger Room - Marvel Universe Wiki: The definitive online source for Marvel super hero bios.</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060391685/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Story: Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting (9780060391683): Robert McKee: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_thinking" class="link" target="_blank">Magical thinking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/comicshack/7" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | The Comic Shack #7: Snakt!</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobayashi_Maru" class="link" target="_blank">Kobayashi Maru - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az-0w95-Ugc" class="link" target="_blank">&#x27;Rubric&#x27; - Part 4 of &#x27;Glassworks&#x27; - Philip Glass - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/explainer/2012/07/tony_robbins_firewalking_injuries_why_doesn_t_everyone_who_walks_on_hot_coals_get_burned_.html" class="li

Aug 6, 20121h 24m

Episode 78: Scream, Poop, and Run

TOPIC: Gut Churn, Pointing Arrows, and Recognizing Change This week, Dan and Merlin talk at length about a recent article by <a href="http://www.radiolab.org/">Radiolab</a>'s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jad_Abumrad">Jad Abumrad</a>, called, "<a href="http://transom.org/?p=28787" title="'The Terrors &amp; Occasional Virtues of Not Knowing What You’re Doing' by *Radiolab*'s Jad Abumrad">The Terrors &amp; Occasional Virtues of Not Knowing What You’re Doing</a>." From the genesis of Radiolab through casting about for what comes next, Jad's article reads like a Greatest Hits of Back to Work. Just terrific. It all comes down to working through the times you don't know what you're doing and making, then accepting that—even once you do know—you still have to push through change and evolution. Working through the fear to make something awesome? Well. That's Fine for Jad Abumrad. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://transom.org/?p=28787" class="link" target="_blank">Transom » Jad Abumrad</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.radiolab.org/2007/sep/24/behaves-so-strangely/" class="link" target="_blank">Behaves So Strangely - Radiolab</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.radiolab.org/series/podcasts/" class="link" target="_blank">Podcasts - Radiolab</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.radiolab.org/" class="link" target="_blank">Home - Radiolab</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jad_Abumrad" class="link" target="_blank">Jad Abumrad - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://transom.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Protools-Screen-Shot.png?9d7bd4" class="link" target="_blank">Protools-Screen-Shot.png 1,677×1,020 pixels</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.radiolab.org/blogs/radiolab-blogland/2008/jan/31/behaves-so-strangely/" class="link" target="_blank">Behaves So Strangely - Radiolab</a> </li><li><a href="http://binarybonsai.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Binary Bonsai</a> </li><li><a href="http://merlinmannwishlist.tumblr.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Merlin Mann&#x27;s Wishlist</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.squarespaceplugins.com/squarespace-6-template-directory/" class="link" target="_blank">Official Squarespace 6 Templates and Themes</a> </li><li><a href="http://shop.5by5.tv/products/thats-fine-for-merlin-mann" class="link" target="_blank">Back to Work That&#x27;s Fine for Merlin T-Shirt | 5by5</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/jadabumrad" class="link" target="_blank">Jad Abumrad (JadAbumrad) on Twitter</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0967967104/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Radio: An Illustrated Guide (9780967967103): Jessica Abel, Ira Glass: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/460/retraction" class="link" target="_blank">Retraction | This American Life</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loxJ3FtCJJA&amp;feature=results_main&amp;playnext=1&amp;list=PLFC5D50E54AAC1C91" class="link" target="_blank">Ira Glass on Storytelling, part 1 of 4 - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2008/07/07/ira-glass-working-through-suck" class="link" target="_blank">Ira Glass on Working Through the Suck | 43 Folders</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/28340758213/squint-and-furrow" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • I’m The Old One I love this photo. [via]</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.radiolab.org/people/oliver-sacks/" class="link" target="_blank">People - Oliver Sacks - Radiolab</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/radiolab" class="link" target="_blank">Radiolab (Radiolab) on Twitter</a> </li><li><a href="http://transom.org/?p=20139" class="link" target="_blank">Transom » Radiolab: An Appreciation by Ira Glass</a> </li><li><a href="http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2011/05/12/%E2%80%9Cthere-are-some-people-who-don%E2%80%99t-wait-%E2%80%9D-robert-krulwich-o

Jul 30, 20121h 17m

Episode 77: Sadness Harmonica

TOPIC: Motivation, Hardware Stores, and Fighting the Last War This week, Dan and Merlin talk about motivation—how it changes, how it doesn't, and how it can be fueled by anxiety and cognitive dissonance. There is also discussion of Merlin's pear tart problem, the challenge of the engineering triangle, and, yeah, a <a href="http://shop.5by5.tv/products/thats-fine-for-merlin-mann">new t-shirt That's Fine for Merlin</a>. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://shop.5by5.tv/products/thats-fine-for-merlin-mann" class="link" target="_blank">Back to Work That&#x27;s Fine for Merlin T-Shirt | 5by5</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.leancrew.com/all-this/" class="link" target="_blank">And now it’s all this</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=commuting-takes-its-toll" class="link" target="_blank">Commuting Takes Its Toll: Scientific American</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/fjohnrickert/status/227441435488686080" class="link" target="_blank">fjohnrickert: &quot;@hotdogsladies That doesn&#x27;t look like you at all! Where are the wrinkles? And the cane?&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace (10% off with offer code, &quot;`yourshow`&quot;) </a> </li><li><a href="http://www.docusign.com/5by5" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] DocuSign (Support 5by5 with a free 30 day trial)</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/comicshack/7" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | The Comic Shack #7: Snakt!</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1866/letters/66_02_20.htm" class="link" target="_blank">Letters: Marx-Engels Correspondence 1864</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/27845336707/money" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • Ubiquitous Capture I already mostly forgot what...</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastroesophageal_reflux_disease" class="link" target="_blank">Gastroesophageal reflux disease - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance" class="link" target="_blank">Cognitive dissonance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracy,_California" class="link" target="_blank">Tracy, California - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089155/combined" class="link" target="_blank">Fletch (1985)</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.leancrew.com/all-this/?s=hipster+pda" class="link" target="_blank">Search results for &#x27;hipster pda&#x27; - All this</a> </li><li><a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/B1_battle_droid" class="link" target="_blank">B1 battle droid - Wookieepedia, the Star Wars Wiki</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/mpu/95" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Mac Power Users #95: Engineering Workflows with Dr. Drang</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/systematic" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Systematic</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.leancrew.com/all-this/2011/01/my-curtain-calls/" class="link" target="_blank">My curtain calls - All this</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.leancrew.com/all-this/2012/05/bolt-upright/" class="link" target="_blank">Bolt upright - All this</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/7350787301/jeff-goldblum" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - &quot;Jeff Goldblum&quot;</a> </li></ul>This week's episode of Back to Work is sponsored by <a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" title="Build a Website - Squarespace 6">Squarespace</a> and <a href="http://www.docusign.com/5by5" title="Electronic Signature &amp; Online Digital Signatures | DocuSign">Docusign</a>.

Jul 23, 20121h 25m

Episode 76: The Avatar of Dorian Gray

TOPICS: Better Meat &amp; Working Backwards This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the many strategic and tactical benefits of reverse-engineering your next project. There is also extensive discussion of choosing, preparing, and cooking meat. It's not food until is sounds like food and it smells like food. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/incomparable/98" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | The Incomparable #98: Obscure References and Sadness</a> </li><li><a href="http://smilesoftware.com/b2w/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] TextExpander: Mac Typing Shortcut Utility Saves You Time!</a> </li><li><a href="http://brettterpstra.com/textexpander-bit-ly-with-authentication/" class="link" target="_blank">TextExpander: bit.ly with authentication - Brett Terpstra</a> </li><li><a href="https://vimeo.com/44456425" class="link" target="_blank">TextExpander 4.0 Fill-In Feature on Vimeo</a> </li><li><a href="http://rayadair.net/world_wide_weber/steak_doneness.htm" class="link" target="_blank">How to Tell If That Steak is Done</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001347JK6/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Jaccard Supertendermatic 48-Blade Tenderizer: Home &amp; Kitchen</a> </li><li><a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57468798-93/netflixs-lost-year-the-inside-story-of-the-price-hike-train-wreck/" class="link" target="_blank">Netflix&#x27;s lost year: The inside story of the price-hike train wreck | Internet &amp; Media - CNET News</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/the_finger_test_to_check_the_doneness_of_meat/" class="link" target="_blank">The Finger Test to Check the Doneness of Meat | Simply Recipes</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0596805888/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Cooking for Geeks: Real Science, Great Hacks, and Good Food (9780596805883): Jeff Potter: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.cookingforengineers.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Cooking For Engineers - Step by Step Recipes and Food for the Analytically Minded</a> </li><li><a href="http://code.squarespace.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Code Library - Squarespace Code Library</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/hotdogsladies/status/223881615322001408" class="link" target="_blank">Twitter / hotdogsladies: @MailChimp @markdicristina</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/061813512X/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: The Complete Meat Cookbook (9780618135127): Bruce Aidells, Denis Kelly: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/068481465X/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House (9780684814650): Cheryl Mendelson, Harry Bates: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace (10% off with offer code, &quot;`yourshow`&quot;) </a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0785158693/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Marvel Masterworks: The Uncanny X-Men Volume 4 (Marvel Masterworks (Numbered)) (9780785158691): Chris Claremont, John Byrne, George Perez: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0763650226/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Little Owl Lost (9780763650223): Chris Haughton: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/27288724805/phoenix" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - (Phoenix at Comic-Con. Sigh.)</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernet" class="link" target="_blank">Fernet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/27352198111/handsome" class="link" target="_blank">[Merlin&#x27;s MailChimp visitor badge]</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatiron_steak" class="link" target="_blank">Flat iron steak - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a h

Jul 16, 20121h 27m

Episode 75: The Mayor of Perspective

TOPIC: Feeling Stuck in the Middle This week, Dan and Merlin talk about a topic suggested by listener, <a href="https://twitter.com/toddsandends/status/222363836374728704">@toddsandends</a>: what happens when you're stuck enforcing rules you don't agree with? Whether you're a security guard, an RA, a SysAdmin, a character on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wire">The Wire</a>, or pretty much anybody else, sometimes there's just stuff you gotta do. Even when you think it's a terrible idea. So, who's allowed to corrupt you, what's it worth, and how long is that going to be okay with you? As ever, work is a lot of work. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace (10% off with offer code, &quot;`yourshow`&quot;) </a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/26777724763/peter-jackson-door" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - A Sense of Scale I’ve wanted to see what’s...</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_wire" class="link" target="_blank">The Wire - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.google.com/search?num=10&amp;hl=en&amp;safe=off&amp;site=&amp;tbm=isch&amp;source=hp&amp;q=dog+diapers&amp;oq=dog+diapers&amp;gs_l=img.3..0j0i5l3j0i24l6.1385.5430.0.5844.12.12.0.0.0.0.124.1129.9j3.12.0...0.0.Vwe6beUYFfU&amp;biw=1007&amp;bih=1464&amp;sei=Nzf7T6i5FYfD2QXz-L2zCQ#q=dog+diap" class="link" target="_blank">dog diapers - Google Search</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24qbIQynztY" class="link" target="_blank">X - See How We Are - (Acoustic) - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/26427965731/trinity" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - Trinity “C’mon, help ol’ Gil out here!”</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085271/combined" class="link" target="_blank">Brainstorm (1983)</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VardFGDZPu4" class="link" target="_blank">Brainstorm Movie Trailer - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/?areaID=1&amp;subAreaID=&amp;query=birds&amp;catAbb=hhh" class="link" target="_blank">SF bay area all housing classifieds &quot;birds&quot; - craigslist</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.red-sweater.com/marsedit/" class="link" target="_blank">MarsEdit 3 - Desktop blog editing for the Mac.</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26TRIz2d1m8" class="link" target="_blank">The Wire - &quot;These are for you McNulty&quot; - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.cesarsway.com/keyword/dog-psychology-center/" class="link" target="_blank">Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan | Achieving balance between people and dogs</a> </li><li><a href="http://laughingsquid.com/san-francisco-multimedia-gulch-nostalgia-via-yahoo-maps/" class="link" target="_blank">San Francisco Multimedia Gulch Nostalgia via Yahoo Maps</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/cyberspace/july-dec99/multimedia_7-20.html" class="link" target="_blank">Online NewsHour: Multimedia Gulch -- July 20, 1999</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Making-sense-of-Multimedia-Gulch-3060560.php" class="link" target="_blank">Making sense of Multimedia Gulch - SFGate</a> </li><li><a href="http://simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/Gil_Gunderson" class="link" target="_blank">Gil Gunderson - Simpsons Wiki</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LBi" class="link" target="_blank">LBi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li></ul>This week's episode of Back to Work is sponsored by our good friends at <a href="http://squarespace.com/backtowork">Squarespace</a>. Get an extra 10% off your new account with offer code "<code>yourshow</code>".

Jul 9, 20121h 27m

Episode 74: Cheap Liberal Arts Relativism

TOPIC: How Much Honesty Can We Stand? This week, Dan and Merlin talk about how ridiculously complex "Honesty" can be. Do "Candor," "Transparency," "Frankness," and all those other Capital Letter Nouns mean the same thing? Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://ask.metafilter.com/218551/Things-said-cant-be-unsaid" class="link" target="_blank">Things said can&#x27;t be unsaid - selfesteem cruelty brutalhonesty | Ask MetaFilter</a> </li><li><a href="http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/30/the-busy-trap/?pagewanted=all" class="link" target="_blank">The &#x27;Busy&#x27; Trap - NYTimes.com</a> </li><li><a href="http://squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace (10% off with offer code, &quot;`yourshow`&quot;) </a> </li><li><a href="http://youlooknicetoday.com/episode/gellies-local-416" class="link" target="_blank">Gellies Local 416 | You Look Nice Today</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.1077thebone.com/" class="link" target="_blank">107.7 The Bone / KSAN-FM San Francisco &gt; Home</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/26363635695/mixed-grill" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - Mixed Grill</a> </li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jester" class="link" target="_blank">Jester - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.esquire.com/features/honesty0707" class="link" target="_blank">I Think You&#x27;re Fat - Esquire</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radical_Honesty" class="link" target="_blank">Radical Honesty - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0691122946/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: On Bullshit (0218681122946): Harry G. Frankfurt: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.griffintechnology.com/support/powermate/" class="link" target="_blank">PowerMate Support | Griffin Technology</a> </li><li><a href="http://tedfromtheinternet.tumblr.com/post/19334082378/morning-zoo" class="link" target="_blank">Ted From The Internet: On a recent 5by5 AD, Dan and Merlin were throwing around the idea of a 5by5 Morning Zoo.</a> </li><li><a href="http://blog.boastr.net/" class="link" target="_blank">Great Tools For Your Mac By Andreas Hegenberg » BetterTouchTool, BetterSnapTool &amp; SecondBar</a> </li><li><a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-57337941-263/tackling-keyboard-shortcut-woes-in-os-x/" class="link" target="_blank">Tackling keyboard shortcut woes in OS X | MacFixIt - CNET Reviews</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.macworld.com/article/1163996/how_to_use_services_in_mac_os_x.html" class="link" target="_blank">How to use services in Mac OS X | Macworld</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/cough_button" class="link" target="_blank">cough button - Wiktionary</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/hotdogsladies/status/219501653156560896" class="link" target="_blank">Twitter / hotdogsladies: M: Sorry about my office t</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jjbu0kSEuQQ" class="link" target="_blank">The Fantastic Mr. Fox&#x27;s &#x27;Trademark&#x27;</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hummer" class="link" target="_blank">John Hummer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=back%20door%20brag" class="link" target="_blank">Urban Dictionary: back door brag</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_and_the_English_Language" class="link" target="_blank">Politics and the English Language - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/orwell46.htm" class="link" target="_blank">George Orwell, &quot;Politics and the English Language,&quot; 1946</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudologia_fantastica" class="link" target="_blank">Pseudologia fantastica - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/184/neighbors"

Jul 2, 20121h 24m

Episode 73: Permission to Unclench

TOPIC: Aspects of Letting Go This week, Dan and Merlin talk about two very different viewports into doing what you want to do and being who you want to be. There's the non-fiddly value you earn from getting junk out of your head and into a place you trust (in this instance, OmniFocus location-based contexts). Then, there's the "what the cuss?" situation faced by listener, "Evan," who's struggling with a work conundrum that's hard on the office freezer and his feelings. How do you move toward doing the right thing in the face of a lot of wrong? And, how do you take care of the piddly crap that's made your brain such a messy white board? Also, there's our new t-shirts, some boot scoots, lots of tickles, plus, that total tool who pushed Shlomo out. Don't even get Merlin started. Literally. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/mpu/91" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Mac Power Users #91: Workflows with Merlin Mann III</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/newsletter" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Subscribe to the Newsletter</a> </li><li><a href="http://colormerl.in/" class="link" target="_blank">Color Merlin!</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace (10% off with offer code, &quot;`laydown`&quot;) </a> </li><li><a href="http://smilesoftware.com/b2w/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] TextExpander: Mac Typing Shortcut Utility Saves You Time!</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.igloosoftware.com/jeangrey" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Igloo Software</a> </li><li><a href="https://worldaeropresschampionship.wordpress.com/recipes/" class="link" target="_blank">Recipes « World Aeropress Championship</a> </li><li><a href="http://timwendelboe.no/2009/06/top-3-aeropress-methods/" class="link" target="_blank">Tim Wendelboe » Blog Archive » Top 3 Aeropress Methods</a> </li><li><a href="https://vimeo.com/44456425" class="link" target="_blank">TextExpander 4.0 Fill-In Feature on Vimeo</a> </li><li><a href="http://me--and---you.tumblr.com/post/24835648875/in-the-second-issue-of-the-bulk-bag-newsletter-of" class="link" target="_blank">Me &amp; You • In the second issue of the BULK BAG! newsletter of...</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/25587751073/me-and-you-reader-submission-thanks" class="link" target="_blank">Me and You: Tuck and Roll from _A Bug&#x27;s Life_</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/25468155778/mandrill-thing" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - The Mandrill Thing For Joel Benjamin and family.</a> </li><li><a href="http://xkcd.com/386/" class="link" target="_blank">xkcd: Duty Calls</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWzhNnHrfFg#t=13m45s" class="link" target="_blank">Los Vengadores - LHMPDM 1x06 Español (España) - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/tag/merlins-faves" class="link" target="_blank">Roderick on the Line (Merlin&#x27;s Favorite Episodes)</a> </li><li><a href="http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=43Otf5Wm6DE" class="link" target="_blank">The Long Winters - &quot;New Girl&quot; [&quot;No! YOU are!&quot;]</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omnifocus/" class="link" target="_blank">OmniFocus for Mac - The Omni Group</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rm_(Unix)" class="link" target="_blank">rm (Unix) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clobbering" class="link" target="_blank">Clobbering - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/25334115526/bandit-hat" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - “Here. Put this bandit hat on.” My God, I love...</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/25382864807/cussing" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - “You Cussing With Me?” (Fantastic Mr. Fox)</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/25521583337/workflows-thre

Jun 25, 20121h 40m

Episode 72: Rocky Balboa Moment

TOPIC: Confidence, Courage, and the Problem with Thinking This week, Dan and Merlin talk about why we may or may not feel confident to do stuff. How do other people seem to get it so easily, and where do they find the courage? Well. You walk through The Forum, you check the mics, and you never let thinking get in your way. Too much thinking? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07So_lJQyqw">UNACCEPTABLE!</a> Dungeon. Seven years. No trials. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://dalrympled.tumblr.com/post/25101459528/dan-benjamin" class="link" target="_blank">Dalrympled (Dan)</a> </li><li><a href="http://dalrympled.tumblr.com/post/25102968991/merlin-mann" class="link" target="_blank">Dalrympled (Merlin)</a> </li><li><a href="http://emersunn.com/post/25368923589/by-this-point-in-my-life-id-also-had-enough" class="link" target="_blank">solipschtick — By this point in my life, I’d also had enough...</a> </li><li><a href="http://me--and---you.tumblr.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Me &amp; You</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/hotdogsladies/status/214580768779931648" class="link" target="_blank">Twitter / hotdogsladies: All of you. Dungeon. Seven</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vp6CsgncKw&amp;feature=youtu.be" class="link" target="_blank">Herb Alpert &amp; The Tijuana Brass - A Taste of Honey (1967)_HQ - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tandoor" class="link" target="_blank">Tandoor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Designer_drug#Inaccurate_descriptions" class="link" target="_blank">Designer drug - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilets_in_Japan" class="link" target="_blank">Toilets in Japan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/25063139973/smoke-and-mirrors" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - Accomplished entirely with that Peter Jackson...</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_Mount_Sinai" class="link" target="_blank">Biblical Mount Sinai - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Baker" class="link" target="_blank">Tom Baker - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.presentationzen.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Presentation Zen</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mosquito_Coast#Cast" class="link" target="_blank">The Mosquito Coast - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/25107018582/inspiration" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - Inspire yourself…every day!!!!!</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0735627355/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Beyond Bullet Points: Using Microsoft PowerPoint to Create Presentations that Inform, Motivate, and Inspire (Business Skills) (English and English Edition) (9780735627352): Cliff Atkinson: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://hivelogic.com/articles/fake-amazon/" class="link" target="_blank">Fake Amazon</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.toastmasters.org/" class="link" target="_blank">Toastmasters International - Home</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chafing-dish" class="link" target="_blank">Chafing-dish - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterno" class="link" target="_blank">Sterno - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/dcjnfaoifoefmnbhhlbppaebgnccfddf" class="link" target="_blank">Chrome Web Store - Template</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07So_lJQyqw" class="link" target="_blank">LEMON GRAB UNACCEPTABLE - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caltrop" class="link" target="_blank">Caltrop - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li

Jun 18, 20121h 27m

Episode 71: Sorry to Lose You as a Son

TOPIC: The Problem with Passive-Aggression. If that's okay with you. This week, Dan and Merlin apologize if they've made you unhappy with an episode about passive-aggressiveness, wussy non-communication, and non-apology apologies. But, maybe, that'll just have to be okay with them. But, could you PLEASE take your tuna out of the fridge, pick up after your dog, make more coffee, change the toilet paper roll, and help with taking trash to the curb? Thank You In Advance For Your Cooperation! — The Management Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/24542907799/next-xmen" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - Q: What’s my next X-Men? Obviously, a lot of you...</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/defunkt/status/211179379361976320/photo/1/large" class="link" target="_blank">Twitter / defunkt: Soon: http://t.co/ufqZ8FiZ</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_agressive" class="link" target="_blank">Passive–aggressive behavior - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/" class="link" target="_blank">PassiveAggressiveNotes.com</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Days_of_Future_Past" class="link" target="_blank">Days of Future Past - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Days_of_Future_Passed" class="link" target="_blank">Days of Future Passed - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiverse_(Marvel_Comics)" class="link" target="_blank">Multiverse (Marvel Comics) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth-616" class="link" target="_blank">Earth-616 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://smilesoftware.com/PDFpen/iOS/index.html" class="link" target="_blank">PDFpen for iPad: PDF Editing Software for Mac iOS</a> </li><li><a href="http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=40f9bca54e3ea011fecc2118d&amp;id=85e512681f" class="link" target="_blank">BULK Bag! Issue #05</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/24709226660/hulk-smashes-loki" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - The Avengers - “Hulk smashes Loki” I can watch...</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.5ives.com/archives/2004/10/10/five-power-tools-of-the-unintentionally-creepy-guy/" class="link" target="_blank">Five power tools of the unintentionally creepy guy | 5ives</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/merlin/5215410262/" class="link" target="_blank">Leave-A-Sign-About-Dog-Poop Guy | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/b2w/57" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Back to Work #57: Start with Anger, End with a Sign</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/24754101748/died-a-human" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - FIN Sigh. Finished #137 last night, drawing The...</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/2012/06/08/the-silent-treatment/" class="link" target="_blank">The Silent Treatment | PassiveAggressiveNotes.com</a> </li><li><a href="http://mailchimp.com/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] MailChimp</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace (10% off with offer code, &quot;`laydown`&quot;) </a> </li><li><a href="http://www.smilesoftware.com/b2w/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Smile (save $15 on PDFpen or PDFpenPro)</a> </li><li><a href="http://turbo.paulstamatiou.com/uploads/2006/07/twttr_logo.png" class="link" target="_blank">IMG: Original &quot;twttr&quot; logo </a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/rsa/status/720937752" class="link" target="_blank">Twitter / rsa: &quot;I have decided that @lonelysandwich, @scottsimpson and @hotdogsladies need to start a podcast. The absence of said podcast is a crime.&quot;</a> </li></ul>This week's episode of Back to Work is sponso

Jun 11, 20121h 39m

Episode 70: Expectation Zero

TOPIC: Recalibrating Expectations This week, Dan and Merlin talk more about struggling with expectations. Everybody's expectations. Including yours. Why it's worth recalibrating your own expectations, managing others' expectations, and accepting the impossibility of knowing—let alone meeting—the expectations of the entire world. Because, that's monkeyballs. We also learn that Merlin likes his buttons touched very gently. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=3997" class="link" target="_blank">Language Log » “Factlets”</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.igloosoftware.com/campaigns/5by5/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">Back To Work - Igloo Software</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearts_of_Darkness:_A_Filmmaker%27s_Apocalypse" class="link" target="_blank">Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker&#x27;s Apocalypse - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/24202696838/like-patty-hearst-in-a-closet" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - Back to Work: “Like Patty Hearst in a Closet” ...</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/b2wshow" class="link" target="_blank">Back to Work (b2wshow) on Twitter</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B003UESJJC/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Apocalypse Now (Apocalypse Now / Apocalypse Now Redux / Hearts of Darkness) (Three-Disc Full Disclosure Edition) [Blu-ray]: Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Francis Ford Coppola: Movies &amp; TV</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0486264645/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Heart of Darkness (Dover Thrift Editions) (9780486264646): Joseph Conrad, Stanley Appelbaum: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.igloosoftware.com/jeangrey" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Igloo Software</a> </li><li><a href="http://mailchimp.com/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] MailChimp</a> </li><li><a href="http://youlooknicetoday.com/episode/druthers" class="link" target="_blank">Druthers, CA | You Look Nice Today</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-34-a-shit-barge-full-of-long-pigs.html" class="link" target="_blank">Ep. 34: &quot;A Sh*t Barge Full of Long Pigs&quot; - Roderick on the Line - Merlin Mann</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/24416055327/cloud-hair" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - “Now, I have cloud hair.” ASTONISHING X-MEN...</a> </li><li><a href="http://i-0.us/bulkbagnews" class="link" target="_blank">Sign-up for Back to Work&#x27;s BULK Bag! Newsletter</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.5ives.com/" class="link" target="_blank">5ives | Merlin&#x27;s Lists of Five Things</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/buildanalyze/80" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Build and Analyze #80: Please, Go to Starbucks</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcXuaZwqUzA&amp;feature=related" class="link" target="_blank">Chris Elliott as Brando on Letterman - Banana dance - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/hotdogsladies/status/210103310705893379" class="link" target="_blank">VIDEO: &quot;I swallowed a bug.&quot; —Marlon Brando (1976)</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/24488845148/big-week" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - In Which Merlin Buys Some Dolls</a> </li><li><a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/baldwinsbeans" class="link" target="_blank">Twitter</a> </li></ul>This week's episode of Back to Work is sponsored by our friends at <a href="http://www.igloosoftware.com/jeangrey">Igloo Software</a> and <a href="https://mailchimp.com/">MailChimp</a>.

Jun 5, 20121h 25m

Episode 69: Seven Dwarfs of Bad Emotion

TOPIC: Boogers and Expectations Are you making perfect reports when your boss just wants them on time? Are you making crème brûlée when you should be jumping in a trench? Are wangs and boogers causing problems at work? This week, Dan and Merlin talk more about expectations – whether you're willing to or not – and the risks of expectations of partners, bosses, and kids. How can you handle expectations? There aren't a lot of easy answers. As you'd probably expect. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://middleclasstool.com/blog/2012/5/24/something-something-meth-joke.html" class="link" target="_blank">middleclasstool - Blog - Something Something Meth Joke</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-Cana" class="link" target="_blank">Pre-Cana - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon&#x27;s_razor" class="link" target="_blank">Hanlon&#x27;s razor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://blog.warbyparker.com/post/9295148964/home-try-on-video" class="link" target="_blank">Zagg Pepper | We’re super excited to show you our latest and...</a> </li><li><a href="http://foundmyplace.net/" class="link" target="_blank">Found My Place - Blog</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.talesofwonder.com/product-exec/product_id/59391/nm/Marvel+Masterworks+Uncanny+X-Men+Vol+2+New+Ed+TP" class="link" target="_blank">Tales of Wonder - Marvel Masterworks Uncanny X-Men Vol 2 New Ed TP</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/confessions-of-a-car-salesman.phtml" class="link" target="_blank">Confessions of a Car Salesman - Print Friendly</a> </li><li><a href="http://mailchimp.com/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] MailChimp </a> </li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace (10% off with offer code, &quot;`goaheadcaller`&quot;) </a> </li><li><a href="http://www.warbyparker.com/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR} Warby Parker (10% off with discount code, &quot;`5BY5TV10`&quot;) </a> </li><li><a href="http://movieline.com/2010/03/23/david-mamets-memo-to-the-writers-of-the-unit/" class="link" target="_blank">David Mamet’s Master Class Memo to the Writers of The Unit - Movieline</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=S0qjK3TWZE8#!" class="link" target="_blank">golden balls. the weirdest split or steal ever! - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prisoner&#x27;s_dilemma" class="link" target="_blank">Prisoner&#x27;s dilemma - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_theory" class="link" target="_blank">Game theory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://foundmyplace.net/post/song-lost-in-space.html" class="link" target="_blank">Found My Place - Blog - Song: &quot;Lost in Space&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0785137041/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: The Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 2 (Marvel Masterworks) (9780785137047): Chris Claremont, Dave Cockrum, John Byrne: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplomacy_(game)" class="link" target="_blank">Diplomacy (game) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/24020987886/boom-public-libraries-rule" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - &quot;Public libraries rule.&quot; - In Which _Uncanny X-Men Masterworks Vol. 2_ Arrives!</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/24041109906/must-somehow-form-a-family" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - &quot;I Love My Blended Family&quot; - In Which Merlin Prepares to Read 5 Years of _X-Men_</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/232054451/tempted" class="link" target="_blank">[KFG] You Look Nice Today - “Lot About a Thing Guy”</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3j2NYZ8FKs&amp;ob=av3e" class="link" target="_blank">Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls - YouTube</a> </li><li>&lt

May 29, 20121h 37m

Episode 68: The Black Queen is Killing Me

TOPIC: Incentive, Inspiration, and Motivation This week, Dan and Merlin are inspired to talk about the incentive and the motivation to make something. Inspiration is marketed as something you're missing, but it has a short expiration date, and if you're more scared than uninspired then it doesn't matter how many pieces of candy you're offered. And what do you do if selling bottled water cozies affects your intrinsic motivation to make them? Well. It's complicated. As usual. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://www.nature.com/news/replication-studies-bad-copy-1.10634" class="link" target="_blank">Replication studies: Bad copy : Nature News &amp; Comment</a> </li><li><a href="http://coffeecollective.blogspot.com/2010/01/updated-aeropress-brewing-method.html?m=1" class="link" target="_blank">The Coffee Collective Blog: Updated Aeropress brewing method</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.lettersofnote.com/2012/05/it-has-never-got-easier.html" class="link" target="_blank">Letters of Note: It has never got easier</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/23487962119/not-lost" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • “La la laaaaaaaa…” (Sneaky Peek of next Squarespace song)</a> </li><li><a href="http://smilesoftware.com/b2w/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] PDFpen from Smile: A Proud Sponsor of Back To Work</a> </li><li><a href="http://i-0.us/bulkbagnews" class="link" target="_blank">Sign-up for Back to Work&#x27;s BULK Bag! Newsletter </a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/specials/6" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | 5by5 Specials #6: Regarding The Talk Show</a> </li><li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/5by5-radio/id520847556?mt=8&amp;partnerId=30&amp;siteID=GfpxbBXXpXE-y3gfJGyOQcSr2tOpkzD12A&amp;partnerId=30&amp;siteID=GfpxbBXXpXE-y3gfJGyOQcSr2tOpkzD12A&amp;partnerId=30&amp;siteID=GfpxbBXXpXE-y3gfJGyOQcSr2tOpkzD12A&amp;partnerId=30&amp;siteID=GfpxbBXXpXE" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 Radio iOS App</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001HBCVX0/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker with Bonus 350 Micro Filters: Kitchen &amp; Dining</a> </li><li><a href="http://nerdboyfriend.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Nerd Boyfriend</a> </li><li><a href="http://brettterpstra.com/nvalt-2-2-public-beta/" class="link" target="_blank">nvALT 2.2 Public Beta - Brett Terpstra</a> </li><li><a href="http://markedapp.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Marked - smart tools for smart writers</a> </li><li><a href="http://brettterpstra.com/marked-1-5-sneak-peek/" class="link" target="_blank">Marked 1.5 Sneak Peak - Brett Terpstra</a> </li><li><a href="https://github.com/ttscoff" class="link" target="_blank">ttscoff (Brett Terpstra) on Github</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EryhQdXTjP8" class="link" target="_blank">Simpsons - Sideshow bob steps on rakes - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/danbenjamin/7243671976/in/photostream" class="link" target="_blank">Bulk Bag at Amy&#x27;s Ice Creams | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a> </li><li><a href="http://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/16328/why-cant-adamantium-cut-through-vibranium" class="link" target="_blank">marvel comics - Why can&#x27;t adamantium cut through vibranium? - Science Fiction and Fantasy</a> </li><li><a href="http://marvel.wikia.com/Adamantium" class="link" target="_blank">Adamantium - Marvel Comics Database</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0014237/" class="link" target="_blank">Dignan (Character)</a> </li><li><a href="https://vimeo.com/303089" class="link" target="_blank">VIDEO: Roxanna &amp; Adam - &quot;The Aristocrats&quot; on Vimeo</a> </li><li><a href="https://pinboard.in/t:eatsleeplove" class="link" target="_blank">Pinboard: global tag page for eatsleeplove</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/jxpx777" class="link" target="_blank">Jamie Phelps (jxpx777) on Twitter</a> </li><li><a href="http://jxpx777.com/" class="link" target="_

May 21, 20121h 14m

Episode 67: Ad Hoc Bra

TOPIC: Trying On The Change This week, Dan and Merlin (who might not have mentioned he didn't sleep much) discuss the balance between placing nickel bets versus going all-in—or at least thinking all-in. You might be talking yourself into stasis or change, but if you don't really try it on first, you may find out the techno and combat boots are nothing compared to living under incontinent grackles. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/22978561381/example-portraiture-tanforan-mall-hm-hm" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • Example Portraiture (Tanforan Mall) Hm. Hm. ...</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/23043152295/3rdmartini-taco-night-was-apparently-a-success" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • 3rdmartini: Taco night was apparently a success....</a> </li><li><a href="http://foundmyplace.net/" class="link" target="_blank">Found My Place - Blog</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_a_Wonderful_Life" class="link" target="_blank">It&#x27;s a Wonderful Life - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/media/rm4165448448/tt0038650" class="link" target="_blank">Pictures &amp; Photos from It&#x27;s a Wonderful Life - IMDb</a> </li><li><a href="http://media.ifccenter.com/images/films/its-a-wonderful-life_592x299.jpg" class="link" target="_blank">its-a-wonderful-life_592x299.jpg 592×299 pixels</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Larry_Wall#1990" class="link" target="_blank">&quot;And don&#x27;t tell me there isn&#x27;t one bit of difference between null and space, because that&#x27;s exactly how much difference there is. :-)&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://blog.mailchimp.com/mailchimp-textmate-bundle/" class="link" target="_blank">New TextMate Bundle, Edit Templates and Campaigns | MailChimp Email Marketing Blog</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7906504/%20http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2012/02/the_avengers_why_i_m_boycotting_marvel_s_movie.html" class="link" target="_blank">The surprisingly complicated legacy of Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee - Grantland</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hofstadter&#x27;s_law" class="link" target="_blank">Hofstadter&#x27;s law - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Grackle" class="link" target="_blank">Common Grackle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.maximumfun.org/shows/bullseye" class="link" target="_blank">Bullseye | Maximum Fun</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleric_(Dungeons_%26_Dragons)" class="link" target="_blank">Cleric (Dungeons &amp; Dragons) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbVdyPZiOLM&amp;feature=related" class="link" target="_blank">Ya Blew It... - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlSHYL9peVc&amp;feature=related" class="link" target="_blank">Tim and Eric&#x27;s Awsome Show Great Job- Mr.Henderson - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.red-sweater.com/marsedit/" class="link" target="_blank">MarsEdit 3 - Desktop blog editing for the Mac.</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1401229743/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: American Vampire Vol. 1 (9781401229740): Scott Snyder, Stephen King, Rafael Albuquereque: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1401230709/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: American Vampire Vol. 2 (9781401230708): Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquereque: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1401233333/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: American Vampire Vol. 3 (9781401233334): Scott Snyder: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1401237185/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: American Vampire Vol. 4 (9781401237189): Scott Snyder, Rafael Alburqurqe: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://mailchimp.com/" class=

May 15, 20121h 20m

Episode 66: Horseradish on My Raccoon

TOPIC: The Pete Campbell Problem Ever notice how you never really "arrive?" Or, have you ever noticed that right when you think you've "arrived," you don't stay arrived for very long—but now have a whole big bunch of new stuff to do? Yeah, us too. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about expectations, the wrong kinds of ambition, and the unquenchable lust for prestige and respect. Good practitioners practice, great leaders lead, and crummy managers just get their fingers all brown from digging around in your chocolate bag. How to see yourself more as your team does—and less as That Guy who deserves more everything. Because there will always be more "everything." Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://foundmyplace.net/post/song-staying-up.html" class="link" target="_blank">Found My Place - Blog - Song: &quot;Staying Up&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://blog.megawertz.com/post/22588769904/i-loved-merlin-manns-song-staying-up-so-much-i" class="link" target="_blank">I loved Merlin Mann’s song Staying Up so much I...</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchestra_hit" class="link" target="_blank">Orchestra hit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115571/" class="link" target="_blank">The Arrival (1996) - IMDb</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/interrogation/2012/04/mad_men_s_pete_campbell_an_interview_with_vincent_kartheiser.single.html#pagebreak_anchor_2" class="link" target="_blank">Mad Men&#x27;s Pete Campbell: An interview with Vincent Kartheiser - Slate Magazine</a> </li><li><a href="http://mailchimp.com/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Email Marketing and Email List Manager | MailChimp</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Build a Website - Create a Blog - Squarespace (Extra 10% off with offer code, &quot;`goaheadcaller`&quot;)</a> </li><li><a href="http://i-0.us/bulkbagnews" class="link" target="_blank">Sign-up for Back to Work&#x27;s BULK Bag! Newsletter</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piriformis_muscle" class="link" target="_blank">Piriformis muscle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanishing_twin" class="link" target="_blank">Vanishing twin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B003XIJ3MW/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Apple Magic Trackpad: Electronics</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.huyfong.com/no_frames/sriracha.htm" class="link" target="_blank">Sriracha</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.tapatiohotsauce.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Tapatio Hot Sauce</a> </li><li><a href="https://beavertonfoods.com/beaver.php" class="link" target="_blank">Beaverton Foods - Beaver Brand Mustards, Horseradish, Mayo, Tartar, Coctail Sauce and More!</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Phoenix_Saga" class="link" target="_blank">The Dark Phoenix Saga - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/22399365684" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe: &quot;SCOTT! JEAN!&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/underscorefunk" class="link" target="_blank">UnderscorefunkDesign (underscorefunk) on Twitter</a> </li><li><a href="http://underscorefunk.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Underscorefunk Design</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzeNAUOp17c" class="link" target="_blank">New Order - True Faith - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc1ldXDJicY" class="link" target="_blank">New Order - Thieves Like Us - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uEBuqkkQRk" class="link" target="_blank">New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle Music Video - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://fireballed.org/" class="link" target="_blank">Fireballed.org - The Anti-Fireball</a> </li&g

May 7, 20121h 23m

Episode 65: A Light Dusting of Life

TOPIC: Stressing Out About Stress Dan and Merlin talk about what happens when stress meets stress, anxiety feeds anxiety, and 10 guys maybe try to jump you in the woods. Which kinds of stress are simply unavoidable? Which ones are addictive? Which ones can be tolerated? And, yes, which kinds of stresses can be vanquished by firing your boss? Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://foundmyplace.net/" class="link" target="_blank">FoundMyPlace.net (Merlin&#x27;s Music Project with Squarespace)</a> </li><li><a href="http://mailchimp.com/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Email Marketing and Email List Manager | MailChimp</a> </li><li><a href="Subscribe to Back to Work&#x27;s new &quot;BULK Bag!&quot; newsletter" class="link" target="_blank">Sign-up for Back to Work&#x27;s BULK Bag! Newsletter</a> </li><li><a href="http://vimeo.com/40980282" class="link" target="_blank">AeroPress “Ritual” on Vimeo</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Build a Website - Create a Blog - Squarespace</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/pricing/" class="link" target="_blank">Pricing - Squarespace</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B003M567V6/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Das Keyboard Model S Professional Mechanical Keyboard: Electronics</a> </li><li><a href="http://youlooknicetoday.com/episode/stenciled-approach" class="link" target="_blank">The Stenciled Approach | You Look Nice Today</a> </li><li><a href="http://nt.med.ncku.edu.tw/biochem/lsn/AccessToInsight/html/canon/sutta/majjhima/mn082.html" class="link" target="_blank">MN 82: Ratthapala Sutta</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Dorothy_Parker" class="link" target="_blank">Dorothy Parker: &quot;If all the girls attending it were laid end to end…&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/33511.html" class="link" target="_blank">Dorothy C. Fisher: &quot;A mother is not a person to lean on but a person to make leaning unnecessary.&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer#Direct_petitions_to_God" class="link" target="_blank">Prayer (Direct petitions to God) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0449208397/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing in the Pits? (9780449208397): Erma Bombeck: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345471725/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">The Grass Is Always Greener over the Septic Tank: Erma Bombeck: 9780345471727: Amazon.com: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/programs/2010/02/20/scripts/noir.shtml" class="link" target="_blank">The World&#x27;s Greatest Joke - &quot;One penguin says, &#x27;You look like you&#x27;re wearing a tuxedo.…&#x27;&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.humorbin.com/showitem.asp?item=24" class="link" target="_blank">The Special Pig Joke - &quot;OK, Fred. So just tell me. How did he get the wooden leg?&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Aristocrats_(joke)" class="link" target="_blank">The Aristocrats (joke) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0436078/combined" class="link" target="_blank">The Aristocrats (2005)</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/danbenjamin/6795366490/in/photostream" class="link" target="_blank">Gruber&#x27;s Das Keyboard | Flickr - Photo Sharing! [1]</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/danbenjamin/6795369998/in/photostream" class="link" target="_blank">Gruber&#x27;s Das Keyboard | Flickr - Photo Sharing! [2]</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382932/combined" class="link" target="_blank">Ratatouille (2007)</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Gein" class="link" target="_blank">Ed Gein - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.o

May 3, 20121h 30m

Episode 64: Frozen Poster

TOPIC: The Surprising Problems of "Doing What You Love" Merlin has some follow up on Agency: be in control of what you give away and why you charge what you charge, and Dan is interested in what happens when you stop loving what you love when you do it as a job. There are no guarantees, so don't mistake the Federalist Papers for Constitutional Law, and if you miss the signs you shouldn't be sailing, you'll just end up vomiting in your bucket hat. You're not going suddenly arrive and do what you love. You get there through course correction: look back at all the ugly birdhouses and look ahead for the next step toward building a home. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://mobile.slate.com/articles/arts/interrogation/2012/04/mad_men_s_pete_campbell_an_interview_with_vincent_kartheiser.2.html" class="link" target="_blank">Mad Men&#x27;s Pete Campbell: An interview with Vincent Kartheiser</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/danbenjamin/status/193078350007373826/photo/1" class="link" target="_blank">Twitter / @danbenjamin: At last, the Bulk Bag at @ ...</a> </li><li><a href="http://soundbord.co/" class="link" target="_blank">The Unofficial 5by5 Soundboard</a> </li><li><a href="http://micahw156.tumblr.com/post/21460486558/bulk-bag" class="link" target="_blank">Micah&#x27;s tumblog - It’s the post that @danbenjamin and @hotdogsladies...</a> </li><li><a href="http://maux.squarespace.com/journal/2012/4/22/back-to-work.html" class="link" target="_blank">Greenview Studios - Journal - Back to Work</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B004Z8VQ2O/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Apogee JAM Studio Quality Guitar Input for iPad, iPhone and Mac: Electronics</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.zappos.com/bucket-hats?gclid=CO_n4_S4y68CFUljTAodYEl3dw&amp;zfcTest=gs:0" class="link" target="_blank">bucket hats, Accessories at Zappos.com</a> </li><li><a href="http://mailchimp.com" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] MailChimp</a> </li><li><a href="http://squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace</a> </li><li><a href="http://vimeo.com/8623084" class="link" target="_blank">Please don&#x27;t let me hit the ground. on Vimeo</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/print/2012/04/the-man-who-broke-atlantic-city/8900/" class="link" target="_blank">The Man Who Broke Atlantic City - Magazine - The Atlantic</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amysicecreams.com/2.0/#/home/" class="link" target="_blank">Welcome to Amy&#x27;s Ice Creams</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy&#x27;s_Ice_Creams" class="link" target="_blank">Amy&#x27;s Ice Creams - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=100-sided+die&amp;hl=en&amp;client=safari&amp;rls=en&amp;prmd=imvns&amp;source=lnms&amp;tbm=isch&amp;ei=dJmVT_eKLMms2gWbobT8BA&amp;sa=X&amp;oi=mode_link&amp;ct=mode&amp;cd=2&amp;ved=0CA4Q_AUoAQ&amp;biw=1024&amp;bih=1068&amp;sei=d5mVT5KrKIXD2QWln5GdAQ#q=100-sided+die&amp;hl=en&amp;safe=off&amp;c" class="link" target="_blank">100-sided die - Google Search</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zocchihedron" class="link" target="_blank">Zocchihedron - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/21405373244/i-want-some-book-bag-its-bulk-bag" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • “I want some ‘book bag.’” It’s “BULK Bag,”...</a> </li><li><a href="http://prolost.com/blog/2011/9/22/chasing-wildebeests.html" class="link" target="_blank">Prolost - Blog - Chasing Wildebeests</a> </li><li><a href="http://scruffythinking.com/scruffy/2011/9/21/chasing-wildebeests.html" class="link" target="_blank">Chasing Wildebeests - Scruffy - Scruffy | Thinking</a> </li><li><a href="http://cherrypy.org/" class="link" target="_blank">CherryPy — A Minimalist Python Web Framework</a> </li><li><a href="http://i-0.us/bulkbagnews" class="link" target="_blank">Subscribe to Back to Work&#x27;s &quot;BULK Bag!&quot; Newsletter</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.g

Apr 23, 20121h 38m

Episode 63: Bold with the Scissors

TOPIC: Agency, Independence, and Outing Your Makebelieve "Partners." Dan and Merlin return to the topic of agency. Who's allowed to speak and act on your behalf? And, what happens when you discover people who've unilaterally decided by fiat to speak and act on your behalf? Well. If your work (and your business) matters to you, you tell them to knock it off. How to reclaim your own stuff, set your own terms, and fire all the non-silent non-partners of the lucrative Free Compliment Industry. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://workshops.squarespace.com/archive/beyond-the-blog.html" class="link" target="_blank">Workshops | Squarespace Workshops - archive - Beyond the Blog</a> </li><li><a href="http://workshops.squarespace.com/archive/building-a-portfolio.html" class="link" target="_blank">Workshops | Squarespace Workshops - archive - Building a Portfolio</a> </li><li><a href="http://blog.squarespace.com/blog/2012/3/30/simplifed-plans-and-pricing.html" class="link" target="_blank">Simplifed Plans and Pricing — The Official Squarespace Blog</a> </li><li><a href="http://squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace.com. Use offer code `turnsout` for 10% off. </a> </li><li><a href="http://smilesoftware.com/b2w/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] TextExpander: Mac Typing Shortcut Utility Saves You Time!</a> </li><li><a href="http://brettterpstra.com/ios-text-editors/" class="link" target="_blank">iTextEditors - iPhone and iPad text/code editors and writing tools compared</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/hotdogsladies/statuses/1537423860" class="link" target="_blank">&quot;If you think it&#x27;s fancy to expect permission to sell stupid shit people said, just wait until you start saying stupid shit worth selling.&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/b2w/12" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Back to Work #12: Chewie&#x27;s Medal is Not Canonical</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2009/04/10/free-me" class="link" target="_blank">Free as in &quot;Me&quot; | 43 Folders</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Steps" class="link" target="_blank">Giant Steps - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry&#x27;s_law" class="link" target="_blank">Henry&#x27;s law - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001KYT6CS/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Sodastream Fountain Jet Soda Maker Starter Kit: Kitchen &amp; Dining</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0802130208/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: A Confederacy of Dunces (9780802130204): John Kennedy Toole, Walker Percy: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/afterdark/143" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | After Dark #143: After Back to Work #63</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.merlinmann.com/faqs/about-merlin/whats-up-with-that-weird-username-you-use-sometimes-does-hot.html" class="link" target="_blank">Merlin&#x27;s Frequently Asked Questions - Merlin Mann</a> </li></ul>Sponsored this week by our pals at <a href="http://squarespace.com/backtowork">Squarespace</a> and <a href="http://smilesoftware.com/b2w/">Smile</a>. Please visit the <a href="http://5by5.tv/b2w/63">show notes for this episode</a> to find links, tips, and special offers.

Apr 16, 20121h 20m

Episode 62: Cultural Molasses

TOPIC: Karmasucks, No-Sayers, and Black and White Thinking Dan and Merlin consider the karmasucks and black and white thinking that lead to inertia and a culture of derision. Anyone can laugh at an agenda, and it only takes one turd in the punchbowl to ruin the party, so don't ask permission, ask yes or no questions, and keep your judge behind your explorer. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://hivelogic.com/articles/buddha-statue-identification/" class="link" target="_blank">Why isn&#x27;t that Buddha statue fat?</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31FFTx6AKmU" class="link" target="_blank">Monty Python - &quot;Election Night Special&quot; - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOfM7WB1ya4" class="link" target="_blank">Phineas and Ferb - &quot;My Nemesis&quot; - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waldorf_education" class="link" target="_blank">Waldorf education - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.creativethink.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Creative Think - Roger von Oech</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0446404667/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative (9780446404662): Roger von Oech: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/explorer/0060960248/2/ref=pd_lpo_ase/002-4570228-7720848?" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: A Kick in the Seat of the Pants: Using Your Explorer, Artist, Judge, and Warrior to Be More Creative: Explore similar items</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX2eEICejB0" class="link" target="_blank">Jonathan Coulton with John Roderick - &quot;Nemeses&quot; - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace.com. Use offer code `turnsout` for 10% off.</a> </li><li><a href="http://phineasandferb.wikia.com/wiki/It%27s_About_Time!" class="link" target="_blank">It&#x27;s About Time! - Phineas and Ferb Wiki - Your Guide to Phineas and Ferb</a> </li><li><a href="http://phineasandferb.wikia.com/wiki/My_Nemesis" class="link" target="_blank">My Nemesis - Phineas and Ferb Wiki - Your Guide to Phineas and Ferb</a> </li><li><a href="http://daytum.com/" class="link" target="_blank">DAYTUM</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_dilemma" class="link" target="_blank">False dilemma - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splitting_(psychology)" class="link" target="_blank">Splitting (psychology) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borderline_personality_disorder" class="link" target="_blank">Borderline personality disorder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.tjhsst.edu/~jleaf/probsolve/crprsolv.htm" class="link" target="_blank">Creative Prob-solving (KISP)</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.spicynodes.org/reference-creativity.html" class="link" target="_blank">Spicynodes : Fostering creativity</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Hopper" class="link" target="_blank">Grace Hopper: &quot;It&#x27;s easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to get permission.&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/hotdogsladies/statuses/12546802419" class="link" target="_blank">&quot;Never let the guy with the broom decide how many elephants can be in the parade.&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Upton_Sinclair" class="link" target="_blank">&quot;It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it!&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/20795598521/time-and-time" class="link" target="_blank">VIDEO: &quot;John Cleese - A Lecture on Creativity&quot; (Do **NOT** miss!)</a> </li><li><a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5947760467246114296" class="link" target="_blank">&quot;Bill Cosby: Himself&quot; - Part One</a>&lt

Apr 9, 20121h 2m

Episode 61: I Handed Him My Luke

Dan and Merlin talk about Dancing Han Solo, going to college in Florida, and developing smarter patterns for Getting Things Diaried. Whether you're calling collect, person-to-person, or station-to-station, it's time to get serious, get realistic, and just get it on the calendar. Send the invite, work those Telephone Thursdays, and make that call E6W ("Every 6 Weeks"). Pick the system that supports your intentions. Then use it. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/03/hammerforum-com" class="link" target="_blank">LensRentals.com - Hammerforum.com</a> </li><li><a href="http://youlooknicetoday.com/episode/lobster-farm" class="link" target="_blank">Lobster Farm | You Look Nice Today</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.threadless.com/product/2982/Old_Old_Friend/tab,guys/style,shirt" class="link" target="_blank">&quot;Old, Old Friend&quot; - Threadless.com - Best t-shirts in the world</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=4OnDizZ7UT0#!" class="link" target="_blank">Dancing to &quot;I&#x27;m Han Solo&quot; on Kinect Star Wars - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://youlooknicetoday.com/news/letter-to-shareholders" class="link" target="_blank">A Sextodecimestrial Letter to YLNT Shareholders | You Look Nice Today</a> </li><li><a href="http://youlooknicetoday.tumblr.com/post/20183855956/the-you-look-nice-today-starter-pack#/" class="link" target="_blank">You Look Nice Today — The You Look Nice Today Starter Pack</a> </li><li><a href="https://code.google.com/p/simplecomic/" class="link" target="_blank">simplecomic - An uncluttered comic viewer for os-x - Google Project Hosting</a> </li><li><a href="http://youlooknicetoday.com/episode/vachina" class="link" target="_blank">Vachina | You Look Nice Today</a> </li><li><a href="http://marvel.wikia.com/Wolverine" class="link" target="_blank">Wolverine - Marvel Comics Database</a> </li><li><a href="http://marvel.wikia.com/Jean_Grey" class="link" target="_blank">Jean Grey - Marvel Comics Database</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/20021002957/like-an-animal" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - Siracusa &quot;LIKE AN ANIMAL!&quot; ringtone</a> </li><li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/comic-zeal-comic-reader/id363990983?mt=8&amp;partnerId=30&amp;siteID=GfpxbBXXpXE-y3gfJGyOQcSr2tOpkzD12A" class="link" target="_blank">App Store - Comic Zeal Comic Reader</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.awayfind.com/" class="link" target="_blank">AwayFind - Mobile notifications for priority messages. The email management solution for Gmail and Exchange.</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.tungle.me/Home/" class="link" target="_blank">Tungle.me | Scheduling Made Easy</a> </li><li><a href="http://cashduketriple7doublewhatwhatmoneysupplyincomemuse78dotcom.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Cash Duke</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/czeins" class="link" target="_blank">Claude Zeins (czeins) on Twitter</a> </li></ul>

Apr 2, 20121h 9m

Episode 60: Living Inside an Unfinished Thing

Dan and Merlin consider how to rethink your work as a platform. It's not just a job, or just a career, or (God forbid) just a brand--it's about deciding when you need to take your time and attention pro. How the stuff you've made and done can be leveraged into the next things you'd like to make and do; how to find the orthogonal angles and unexpected branches; how to learn what you need to learn; and how to take your work so seriously that you'll dare a quick dip in the douche pool. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/24/your-money/why-people-remember-negative-events-more-than-positive-ones.html?_r=2&amp;pagewanted=all" class="link" target="_blank">Why People Remember Negative Events More Than Positive Ones - NYTimes.com</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/rands/status/182635603396009985" class="link" target="_blank">Twitter / @rands: Reputation is the sum tota ...</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2007/07/25/merlins-inbox-zero-talk" class="link" target="_blank">Video for Merlin&#x27;s &quot;Inbox Zero&quot; talk | 43 Folders</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damocles#The_sword_of_Damocles" class="link" target="_blank">Damocles - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everyday_Use" class="link" target="_blank">Everyday Use - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="https://ja.twitter.com/#!/sorrytoloseyou" class="link" target="_blank">Sorry to Lose You (sorrytoloseyou) on Twitter</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raynaud&#x27;s_phenomenon" class="link" target="_blank">Raynaud&#x27;s phenomenon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://macpowerusers.com/2010/03/mpu-023-workflows-with-merlin-mann/" class="link" target="_blank">MPU 023: Workflows with Merlin Mann « Mac Power Users</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_Comic" class="link" target="_blank">Simple Comic - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://bywordapp.com/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Byword • A Simple Text Editor for Mac and iOS</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/magazine/shopping-habits.html?pagewanted=all" class="link" target="_blank">How Companies Learn Your Secrets - NYTimes.com</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/d3617516-728a-11e1-9c23-00144feab49a.html#axzz1qFiAMCge" class="link" target="_blank">A compelling take on breaking bad habits - FT.com</a> </li><li><a href="https://37signals.com/" class="link" target="_blank">37signals: Web-based collaboration apps for small business</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/hotdogsladies/status/183632911084433408" class="link" target="_blank">&quot;If you&#x27;re proud of your work, don&#x27;t worry whether everyone loves it…&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1936891026/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles (9781936891023): Steven Pressfield, Shawn Coyne: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0743235274/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life (9780743235273): Twyla Tharp, Mark Reiter: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/19991602119/good-night-everybody" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • Donny &amp; Marie - “May Tomorrow Be A Perfect Day” ...</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kill_file" class="link" target="_blank">Kill file - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li></ul>Sponsored by <a href="http://bywordapp.com/">Byword</a>, a Simple Text Editor for Mac and iOS

Mar 26, 20121h 10m

Episode 59: Brains All the Way Down

This week, Dan and Merlin tackle the problem of changing cultures at work. It's not a snapshot, it's not a kitchen table, and it may actually have surprisingly little to do with you. Which is complicated. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/flow-powered-by-amazon/id474664425?mt=8&amp;partnerId=30&amp;siteID=GfpxbBXXpXE-y3gfJGyOQcSr2tOpkzD12A&amp;partnerId=30&amp;siteID=GfpxbBXXpXE-y3gfJGyOQcSr2tOpkzD12A&amp;partnerId=30&amp;siteID=GfpxbBXXpXE-y3gfJGyOQcSr2tOpkzD12A&amp;partnerId=30&amp;siteID" class="link" target="_blank">App Store - Flow Powered by Amazon</a> </li><li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rl-classic/id312720263?mt=8&amp;partnerId=30&amp;siteID=GfpxbBXXpXE-y3gfJGyOQcSr2tOpkzD12A&amp;partnerId=30&amp;siteID=GfpxbBXXpXE-y3gfJGyOQcSr2tOpkzD12A&amp;partnerId=30&amp;siteID=GfpxbBXXpXE-y3gfJGyOQcSr2tOpkzD12A&amp;partnerId=30&amp;siteID=GfpxbBXXpXE" class="link" target="_blank">RL Classic for iPhone, iPod touch (4th generation), iPad 2 Wi-Fi, iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G, iPad (3rd generation) and iPad Wi-Fi + 4G on the iTunes App Store</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/stealthmountain" class="link" target="_blank">Stealth Mountain (stealthmountain) on Twitter</a> </li><li><a href="https://github.com/ttscoff/Brett-s-TextExpander-Snippets" class="link" target="_blank">ttscoff/Brett-s-TextExpander-Snippets</a> </li><li><a href="http://te-snippets.com/" class="link" target="_blank">TE-snippets | TextExpander snippets beter the bullitsTE-snippets | TextExpander snippets beter the bullits</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.smilesoftware.com/b2w/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] TextExpander: Mac Typing Shortcut Utility Saves You Time!</a> </li><li><a href="http://smilesoftware.com/TextExpander/snippets.html" class="link" target="_blank">TextExpander: Mac Typing Shortcut Utility Saves You Time!</a> </li><li><a href="http://brettterpstra.com/project/textexpander-tools/" class="link" target="_blank">TextExpander Tools - Brett Terpstra</a> </li><li><a href="https://github.com/drdrang/te-url-snippets" class="link" target="_blank">drdrang/te-url-snippets</a> </li><li><a href="https://github.com/drdrang/tedist" class="link" target="_blank">drdrang/tedist</a> </li><li><a href="http://squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace (30% off 3 months with `buttonitup`)</a> </li><li><a href="http://bywordapp.com/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Byword • A Simple Text Editor for Mac and iOS</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fsck" class="link" target="_blank">fsck - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://cl.ly/103x0O1L040F0s1u3v2Y" class="link" target="_blank">[img] X-Men &amp; Amazon Flow</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.macstories.net/tutorials/use-mobile-documents-folder-to-sync-files-with-icloud-across-macs/" class="link" target="_blank">Use “Mobile Documents” Folder To Sync Files with iCloud Across Macs</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_September" class="link" target="_blank">Eternal September - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://applejack.sourceforge.net/" class="link" target="_blank">Applejack Project Page</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.leancrew.com/all-this/2012/01/radius-81110/" class="link" target="_blank">Radius 81/110 - All this</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.laurelhurstmarket.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Laurelhurst Market Restaurant and Butcher Shop Portland, OR</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2010/04/27/impro-talk" class="link" target="_blank">Video: Merlin&#x27;s Time &amp; Attention Talk (Improvised Rutgers Edition) | 43 Folders</a> </li></ul>Sponsored by <a href="http://bywordapp.com/">Byword</a>, <a href="http://squarespace.com/backtowork">Squarespace</a>, and <a href="http://www.smilesoftware.com/b2w/">Smile</a>.

Mar 19, 20122h 1m

Episode 58: Girl with the QR Tattoo

TOPIC: Changing Inputs Dan turns Merlin's technical difficulties into a discussion of discovering and paying attention to things that have a high ROI. It's not about who you think you are, or the latest and loudest thing. You'll miss something even if you follow 1000 blogs, so remember who you really are. La pregunta: ¿Que hacer? Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="https://austin.sqsp.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Squarespace Food Truck (@ SxSW, Mar 9-17)</a> </li><li><a href="http://austin.sqsp.com/assets/Squarespace-Food-Truck-Menu.pdf" class="link" target="_blank">[PDF] Squarespace-Food-Truck-Menu</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brightkite" class="link" target="_blank">Brightkite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.rescuetime.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Time Management, Productivity, &amp; Project Tracking Software (Mac/PC) | RescueTime</a> </li><li><a href="http://drikin.com/2010/11/spirited-away.html" class="link" target="_blank">Spirited Away - drikin.com - the Mac way</a> </li><li><a href="http://hibariapp.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Hibari: A Mac Twitter client with keyword filtering, muting, inline saved search results, inline conversations, tweet lookup, and more</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles_in_Hamburg#Performances" class="link" target="_blank">The Beatles in Hamburg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://youlooknicetoday.com/razzledazzle" class="link" target="_blank">Razzledazzle | You Look Nice Today</a> </li><li><a href="http://markedapp.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Marked: MultiMarkdown preview, everywhere</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.noodlesoft.com/hazel.php" class="link" target="_blank">Noodlesoft | Hazel</a> </li><li><a href="http://support.google.com/calendar/bin/answer.py?hl=en&amp;answer=154174" class="link" target="_blank">Learn more about Labs features - Google Calendar Help</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.awayfind.com/" class="link" target="_blank">AwayFind - Mobile notifications for priority messages. The email management solution for Gmail and Exchange.</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.otherinbox.com/" class="link" target="_blank">OtherInbox | Save your inbox for real people</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html" class="link" target="_blank">SuperDuper!</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omnifocus/" class="link" target="_blank">OmniFocus for Mac - Products - The Omni Group</a> </li><li><a href="http://m.wired.com/techbiz/people/magazine/15-10/st_thompson" class="link" target="_blank">Your Outboard Brain Knows All</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/javascript/2002/01/01/cory.html" class="link" target="_blank">My Blog, My Outboard Brain - O&#x27;Reilly Media</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.onefoottsunami.com/" class="link" target="_blank">One Foot Tsunami by Paul Kafasis</a> </li><li><a href="http://presurfer.blogspot.com/?m=1" class="link" target="_blank">The Presurfer</a> </li><li><a href="http://kickingbear.com/blog/" class="link" target="_blank">kickingbear</a> </li><li><a href="http://mail.google.com/mail/help/intl/en/priority-inbox.html" class="link" target="_blank">Gmail - Priority Inbox – mail</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2009/10/22/who-you-are" class="link" target="_blank">Makebelieve Help, Old Butchers, and Figuring Out Who You Are (For Now) | 43 Folders</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreyfus_model_of_skill_acquisition" class="link" target="_blank">Dreyfus model of skill acquisition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.loopinsight.com/" class="link" target="_blank">iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple opinion and news | The Loop</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tip_of_the_tongue" class="link" target="_blank">Tip of the tongue - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li>&

Mar 12, 20121h 12m

Episode 57: Start with Anger, End with a Sign

Merlin and Dan talk about successful lawn care secrets and getting angry over dog poop, paper towels, duck crossings, and the Dark Side. No one ever saw the error of their ways because they saw a note from Management. Instead of counting piles and grabbing coals, maybe act a little more like Mr. Rogers. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://rogueamoeba.com/piezo/" class="link" target="_blank">Rogue Amoeba | Piezo: Charmingly Simple Recording From Applications and Audio Devices</a> </li><li><a href="https://dl.dropbox.com/s/kqwwolqu0bwkmxn/dop-poop-piles.jpg" class="link" target="_blank">dop-poop-piles.jpg (768×1024)</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/184/neighbors" class="link" target="_blank">Neighbors | This American Life</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.pittsburghinwords.org/tom_junod.html" class="link" target="_blank">Pittsburgh in Words - Can You Say ... &#x27;Hero&#x27;? by Tom Junod</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/" class="link" target="_blank">PassiveAggressiveNotes.com</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.marco.org/2012/02/25/right-vs-pragmatic" class="link" target="_blank">Right versus pragmatic – Marco.org</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/piyatissa/bl068.html" class="link" target="_blank">The Elimination of Anger: With two stories retold from the Buddhist texts</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_poisons_(Buddhism)" class="link" target="_blank">Three poisons (Buddhism) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Precepts" class="link" target="_blank">Five Precepts - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Noble_Truths" class="link" target="_blank">Four Noble Truths - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Path" class="link" target="_blank">Noble Eightfold Path - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Episode_IV:_A_New_Hope#Writing" class="link" target="_blank">Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://static.nomachetejuggling.com/machete_order.html" class="link" target="_blank">Star Wars: Machete Order</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons" class="link" target="_blank">Tragedy of the commons - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://fanedit.org/49/" class="link" target="_blank">Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Edit » Fanedit.org – Home of the fanedits</a> </li><li><a href="http://fanedit.org/50/" class="link" target="_blank">Star Wars Episode 2: Attack Of The Phantom » Fanedit.org – Home of the fanedits</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/TheEditDoctor" class="link" target="_blank">Mike J. Nichols (theeditdoctor) on Twitter</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/1903.html" class="link" target="_blank">Woody Allen: &quot;Eighty percent of success is showing up.&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Treacher" class="link" target="_blank">Arthur Treacher - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://names.whitepages.com/florida/first/fedow" class="link" target="_blank">&quot;There is 1 person with the first name &#x27;Fedow&#x27; in Florida.&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace.com (30% off 3 months, with offer code, buttonitup)</a> </li></ul>

Mar 5, 20121h 33m

Episode 56: One Giant Beholder Dinosaur

Merlin and Dan talk about your attachment to old coffee cups, Captain America glasses, and Grandma's underwear cabinet—all the physical (and emotional) clutter that keeps you from making the things you love and having the life you want. The Kipple. See: 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. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://www.marco.org/2012/02/25/right-vs-pragmatic" class="link" target="_blank">Right versus pragmatic – Marco.org</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0743292650/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: It&#x27;s All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff (9780743292658): Peter Walsh: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001KYT6CS/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Sodastream Fountain Jet Soda Maker Starter Kit: Amazon.com: Kitchen &amp; Dining</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I07xDdFMdgw" class="link" target="_blank">ikea lamp - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001BBHILG/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Husky PA3242HD 42-Gallon Contractor Clean-Up Bags, 32-Count: Patio, Lawn &amp; Garden</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000BQ7VVY/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Tuff Sak CCB750 42-Gallon Heavy Duty Contractor Clean Up Bags: Home Improvement</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/002926.php" class="link" target="_blank">Cool Tools: It&#x27;s All Too Much</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colloidal_silver" class="link" target="_blank">Medical uses of silver - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Trotsky" class="link" target="_blank">Leon Trotsky - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2007/07/02/clutter-discard-not-organize" class="link" target="_blank">My War on Clutter: Never &quot;organize&quot; what you can discard | 43 Folders</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2007/07/03/clutter-independence-day" class="link" target="_blank">My War on Clutter: Inspiration for Independence Day | 43 Folders</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2007/07/03/clutter-think-big" class="link" target="_blank">My War on Clutter: The Tools to Purge BIG | 43 Folders</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2008/04/21/baby-clutter" class="link" target="_blank">Clutter War II: Attack of the Giant Baby | 43 Folders</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/18459807528/epigraph" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe</a> </li></ul>Sponsored by <a href="http://tinyletter.com/" title="TinyLetter">TinyLetter</a> and <a href="http://www.shopify.com/?utm_source=5by5&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=broad" title="Shopify">Shopify</a>.

Feb 28, 20121h 27m

Episode 55: The Pickles Never Touch

This week Dan and Merlin ponder why there's so much variability in the quality of our work. Whether we're making code, scrubbing toilets, or stinking up the Arby's, what explains our individual drive to do something better? Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/features/" class="link" target="_blank">Features - Squarespace</a> </li></ul>Sponsored by <a href="http://agilebits.com/" title="1Password">1Password</a> and <a href="http://www.squarespace.com/?source=backtowork" title="Squarespace">Squarespace</a>.

Feb 21, 20121h 47m

Episode 54: Freemium Mason

Merlin and Dan talk about returning to paleo, the nature of wieners and discouragement, crown vic habits and anxiety addiction. You won't beat it without a cocktail of grit and care with just the right amount of sacrifice. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://bryce.vc/post/17396972172/rise-of-the-independents" class="link" target="_blank">BRYCE DOT VC</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_dog" class="link" target="_blank">Hot dog - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/specials/4" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | 5by5 Specials #4: Kindacritical</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.studioneat.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Studio Neat — Welcome</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/magazine/my-familys-experiment-in-extreme-schooling.html?pagewanted=all" class="link" target="_blank">My Family’s Experiment in Extreme Schooling - NYTimes.com</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/magazine/what-if-the-secret-to-success-is-failure.html?_r=1&amp;pagewanted=all" class="link" target="_blank">What if the Secret to Success Is Failure? - NYTimes.com</a> </li><li><a href="http://bearcss.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Bear CSS - Helping you build a solid stylesheet foundation based on your markup</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.meyouhealth.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Creators of Daily Challenge - MeYou Health</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.quillscoffee.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Quills Coffee - Welcome to Quills Coffee</a> </li><li><a href="http://quittouching.tumblr.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Quit Touching My Toilet Paper</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/pdxpc-courtyard-portland-city-center/" class="link" target="_blank">Portland Hotel | Downtown Portland Oregon Hotels | Courtyard by Marriott Hotel</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/5tu" class="link" target="_blank">Stu Maschwitz (5tu) on Twitter</a> </li><li><a href="http://prolost.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Prolost - Blog</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0556179/" class="link" target="_blank">IMDb - Stuart T. Maschwitz</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp0HIF3SfI4" class="link" target="_blank">Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Pockets" class="link" target="_blank">Hot Pockets - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.laurelhurstmarket.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Laurelhurst Market Restaurant and Butcher Shop Portland, OR</a> </li><li><a href="http://hivelogic.com/articles/the-paleo-diet-a-link-primer/" class="link" target="_blank">The Paleo Diet: A Link Primer</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/merlin/286941/" class="link" target="_blank">Lo-Carb Chicago Dog | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.united.com/" class="link" target="_blank">United Airlines - Airline Tickets, Airline Reservations, Flight Airfare</a> </li></ul>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.smilesoftware.com/5by5" title="Smile">Smile</a> and <a href="http://www.squarespace.com/?source=backtowork" title="Squarespace">Squarespace</a>.

Feb 16, 20121h 35m

Episode 53: The Wages of Security

In the most average episode ever, Merlin and Dan talk physical and digital work environments so you can get going in the right direction and don't have to spend all day on it. And, when do you know you don't want 10 times more of something and what do you do about it? There's no guarantee of security, even if you show up sober, so start acting like an entrepreneur and choose what you want 10 times more of. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://www.merlinmann.com/bulkbag" class="link" target="_blank">An Unfortunate Little Man - Merlin Mann</a> </li><li><a href="http://blog.squarespace.com/blog/2012/2/6/slideshow-20.html" class="link" target="_blank">Slideshow 2.0 - Blog - The Official Squarespace Blog</a> </li><li><a href="http://hivelogic.com/articles/top-10-programming-fonts/" class="link" target="_blank">Top 10 Programming Fonts</a> </li><li><a href="http://ethanschoonover.com/solarized" class="link" target="_blank">Solarized - Ethan Schoonover</a> </li><li><a href="https://github.com/deplorableword/textmate-solarized" class="link" target="_blank">deplorableword/textmate-solarized - GitHub</a> </li><li><a href="https://github.com/filmgirl/TextMate-Themes/" class="link" target="_blank">filmgirl/TextMate-Themes - GitHub</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appearance_Manager#Kaleidoscope" class="link" target="_blank">Appearance Manager - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://bywordapp.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Byword • A Simple Text Editor for Mac</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/octothorpe" class="link" target="_blank">octothorpe - Wiktionary</a> </li><li><a href="http://calepin.co/" class="link" target="_blank">Calepin</a> </li><li><a href="http://merlin.calepin.co/" class="link" target="_blank">Merlin’s Calepin Thingee</a> </li><li><a href="http://pelican.readthedocs.org/en/2.7.2/index.html" class="link" target="_blank">Pelican — Pelican v2 documentation</a> </li><li><a href="http://pygments.org/" class="link" target="_blank">Pygments — Python syntax highlighter</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drdrang/3229710354/in/set-72157617952751035" class="link" target="_blank">Santa&#x27;s Village artifacts | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a> </li><li><a href="http://blog.squarespace.com/blog/2012/2/6/slideshow-20.html?channel=email&amp;subchannel=newsletter&amp;campaign=2_1_12&amp;source=slideshow" class="link" target="_blank">Slideshow 2.0 - Blog - The Official Squarespace Blog</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/17220034591/an-unfortunate-little-man-for-todays-back-to" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • An Unfortunate Little Man For today’s Back to...</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/17212651298" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe</a> </li><li><a href="http://awkwardstockphotos.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Awkward Stock Photos</a> </li><li><a href="http://hibariapp.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Hibari: A Mac Twitter client with keyword filtering, muting, inline saved search results, inline conversations, tweet lookup, and more</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CD-i" class="link" target="_blank">CD-i - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHnyQXyuTGY" class="link" target="_blank">VIDEO: Mitchell &amp; Webb - &quot;A New Führer&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://nolancaudill.com/2012/01/30/the-front-line/" class="link" target="_blank">The Front Line</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/5503657139/get-with-it" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • “Yet, here we are.” Same way, if you’re caught...</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dunstan/5205561739/" class="link" target="_blank">Rabbit #2 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a> </li><li><a href="http://squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace.com - 15% off 6 months with code `bulkbag`</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.

Feb 7, 20121h 55m

Episode 52: Walk the Coastline, Bitches

TOPIC: The Hidden Cost is the True Cost Merlin is back from MacWorldPipeiWorld to talk with Dan about the True Cost of iceberg lettuce, an anchor tenant, 20 minutes of your time, and how much of your life you're going to eat sand. You don't have a TARDIS to make it back to pick up your kid or make it to Built to Spill so walk the coastline. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/5ef1adb57b/between-two-ferns-with-zach-galifianakis" class="link" target="_blank">Between Two Ferns With Zach Galifianakis: Natalie Portman from Comedy Deathray, Between Two Ferns, Natalie Portman, Zach Galifianakis, Scott Aukerman, and BJPorter</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/03b4a86265/between-two-ferns-with-zach-galifianakis" class="link" target="_blank">Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: Conan O&#x27;Brien &amp; Andy Richter from Between Two Ferns, Andy Richter, Conan O&#x27;Brien, Zach Galifianakis, Comedy Deathray, Scott Aukerman, and BJPorter</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001597/" class="link" target="_blank">Mandy Patinkin - IMDb</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094631/" class="link" target="_blank">Alien Nation (1988) - IMDb</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merlin_Mann" class="link" target="_blank">Merlin Mann - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/where.asp" class="link" target="_blank">snopes.com: Handyman&#x27;s Invoice</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/afterdark/75" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | After Dark #75: Pamphlet</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.quora.com/Engineering-Management/Why-are-software-development-task-estimations-regularly-off-by-a-factor-of-2-3/answer/Michael-Wolfe" class="link" target="_blank">Michael Wolfe&#x27;s answer to Engineering Management: Why are software development task estimations regularly off by a factor of 2-3? - Quora</a> </li><li><a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20101008051717/http://physicalinterface.com/view/that-design-is-money" class="link" target="_blank">That design is money! A better ATM experience from Wells Fargo</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_Long_Is_the_Coast_of_Britain%3F_Statistical_Self-Similarity_and_Fractional_Dimension" class="link" target="_blank">How Long Is the Coast of Britain? Statistical Self-Similarity and Fractional Dimension - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fractals" class="link" target="_blank">Fractal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li></ul>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.squarespace.com/?source=backtowork" title="Squarespace">Squarespace</a>.

Jan 31, 20121h 16m

Episode 51: Living Inside the Nonsense

TOPIC: Slipping on Dates, Sliding on Days Merlin and Dan talk about managing projects, scheduling calls, and being home when you scheduled a party. It SEEMS SO SIMPLE but then Jeannie has to go to Guam and slipping is your SOP. The way out of this quagmire is to admit you can't get out of it. You can't change a culture of slipping with a poster or a fairy princess. You have to fix the slides if you want to fix the slips. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://www.google.com/webfonts" class="link" target="_blank">Google Web Fonts</a> </li><li><a href="https://agilebits.com/store?d=pencil" class="link" target="_blank">Agile Online Store</a> </li></ul>Sponsored by <a href="http://agilebits.com/" title="1Password">1Password</a> and <a href="http://www.squarespace.com/?source=backtowork" title="Squarespace">Squarespace</a>.

Jan 24, 20121h 22m

Episode 50: The Pork Soup Paradox

TOPIC: What to do if you fear a layoff. Merlin and Dan talk about rumors of layoffs—when the fear gets you, and you start filing in the narrative with a panther, even if you're developing the best-of-breed cereal portal or have been in the newspaper's Accounts Payable department for 20 years. What do you do at the fork in the road? Do you interview with The Bobs? Do you just grow up and ask what the hell's happening? Do you try to pray away the hurricane? Or, do you just get tragically okay with being 10 times more terrified for 10 more years? Yes: there are lessons from The Wire. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0321413644/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: The DV Rebel&#x27;s Guide: An All-Digital Approach to Making Killer Action Movies on the Cheap (9780321413642): Stu Maschwitz: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.mobile.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stu_Maschwitz" class="link" target="_blank">Stu Maschwitz - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://prolost.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Prolost - Blog</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.mobile.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_savage" class="link" target="_blank">Noble savage - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.mobile.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_wire" class="link" target="_blank">The Wire - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.mobile.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Industry_Standard" class="link" target="_blank">The Industry Standard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118715/" class="link" target="_blank">The Big Lebowski (1998) - IMDb</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/movies/1" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | 5by5 at the Movies #1: Goodfellas</a> </li><li><a href="http://towson.patch.com/articles/rodgers-forge-snow-journal-curbside-lawn-chairs-and-parking-wars" class="link" target="_blank">Rodgers Forge Snow Journal: Curbside Lawn Chairs and Parking Wars - Towson, MD Patch</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.mobile.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorf" class="link" target="_blank">Gorf - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.arcadecab.com/" class="link" target="_blank">ArcadeCab- MAME cabinet plans and related information</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/b2w/49" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Back to Work #49: The Field of Completion</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/b2w/1" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Back to Work #1: Alligator in the Bathroom</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/2012/01/guantanamo-bay-oral-history-201201/_jcr_content/par/cn_contentwell/par-main/cn_pagination_contai/cn_image.size.s-guantanamo-bay.jpg" class="link" target="_blank">cn_image.size.s-guantanamo-bay.jpg (630×427)</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/15475681701/i-really-need-to-open-my-mail-more-often-if" class="link" target="_blank">&quot;If anyone wants me, I’ll be in my autographed Batgirl photo with the Big Lebowski reference. &quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://scruffythinking.com/scruffy/2011/9/21/chasing-wildebeests.html" class="link" target="_blank">Chasing Wildebeests - Scruffy - Scruffy | Thinking</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0151804/" class="link" target="_blank">Office Space (1999) - IMDb</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000KUHFGM/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Marpac SleepMate 980A Electro-Mechanical Sound Conditioner: Health &amp; Personal Care</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.mobile.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colors_of_noise" class="link" target="_blank">Colors of noise - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://marvel.wikia.com/X-Men_Vol_1_110" class="link" target="_blank">X-Men Vol 1 110 - Marvel Comics Database</a> </li></ul>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.smilesoftware.com/5by5" title="Smile">Smile</a> and <a href="http://www.squarespace.com/?source=backtowork" title="Squarespace">Squarespace</a>.

Jan 18, 20121h 24m

Episode 49: The Field of Completion

John Gruber joins Merlin to talk about blog engines, Lego, bias, credibility, the project triangle, and (duh) Star Wars. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_triangle" class="link" target="_blank">Project triangle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skVBMd53q68" class="link" target="_blank">Star Wars Vintage KENNER Commercial - Death Star - YouTube</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom_Edit" class="link" target="_blank">The Phantom Edit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://fanedit.org/49/" class="link" target="_blank">Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Edit » Fanedit.org – Home of the fanedits</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=star+wars+despecialized&amp;hl=en&amp;safe=off&amp;prmd=imvns&amp;tbm=isch&amp;tbo=u&amp;source=univ&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=T8YNT8WUOIeW2QXx6f2sBw&amp;ved=0CDoQsAQ&amp;biw=1105&amp;bih=673" class="link" target="_blank">star wars despecialized - Google Search</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.screened.com/news/behind-the-scenes-of-harmys-star-wars-despecialized-edition/2917/" class="link" target="_blank">Behind the Scenes of Harmy&#x27;s Star Wars &quot;Despecialized Edition&quot; - Screened</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/talkshow/57" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | The Talk Show #57: The Banana Window</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/talkshow/71" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | The Talk Show #71: Hashcow</a> </li><li><a href="http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/about/about_collections.jsp" class="link" target="_blank">Legacy Tobacco Documents Library: About the Collections</a> </li><li><a href="http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/hlm56b00/pdf?search=%22stallone%22" class="link" target="_blank">re: agreements between Stallone and Asso... (hlm56b00)</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0439882826/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Star Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the Galaxy (9780439882828): Matthew Reinhart: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1931498717/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Don&#x27;t Think of an Elephant!: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate--The Essential Guide for Progressives (9781931498715): George Lakoff, Howard Dean, Don Hazen: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.themodernword.com/eco/eco_mac_vs_pc.html" class="link" target="_blank">Eco - &quot;Writings: IBM vs. Mac&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2009/03/25/blogs-turbocharged" class="link" target="_blank">43f Podcast: John Gruber &amp; Merlin Mann&#x27;s Blogging Panel at SxSW | 43 Folders</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/15676539921/star-wars-popup" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • Star Wars Pop-Up Book Per Back to Work #49. ...</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.marco.org/2011/12/29/bullshit" class="link" target="_blank">Bullshit – Marco.org</a> </li></ul>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.getharvest.com/5by5" title="Harvest">Harvest</a> and <a href="http://www.rackspace.com/5by5" title="Rackspace">Rackspace</a>.

Jan 10, 20121h 41m

Episode 48: An Abrupt Existential Jerk

TOPIC: How habits get made. Dan and Merlin are back for 2012 to discuss how habits are like little hairs or inertia or homeostasis or something. How we build habits, how they get built for us, and what we can learn about habits from making our daily coffee. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://patdryburgh.com/blog/shutting-down-my-porno-site/" class="link" target="_blank">Shutting Down My Porno Site | Pat Dryburgh</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0374275637/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Thinking, Fast and Slow (9780374275631): Daniel Kahneman: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Availability_heuristic" class="link" target="_blank">Availability heuristic</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLMCjuge6oE" class="link" target="_blank">Turn your key, sir!</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photic_sneeze_reflex" class="link" target="_blank">Photic sneeze reflex</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/15131346745/annicka-zombiesenelghetto-black-flag" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • annicka: zombiesenelghetto: Black Flag,...</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeostasis" class="link" target="_blank">Homeostasis</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005IBX9/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Black/Brushed Metal: Kitchen &amp; Dining</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2011/12/food_drives_charities_need_your_money_not_your_random_old_food_.html" class="link" target="_blank">Food drives: Charities need your money, not your random old food. - Slate Magazine</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.merlinmann.com/better" class="link" target="_blank">Better</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000XAL2F4/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Sakura IDenti-Pen Permanent Dual-Point Pen, Black: Arts, Crafts &amp; Sewing</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008IS16/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: uni-ball Gel RT Micro Point Retractable Pens, 12 Blue Ink Pens(69035): Office Products</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006IE8B/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: uni-ball Deluxe Fine Point Roller Ball Pens, 12 Black Ink Pens (60052): Office Products</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.jetpens.com/" class="link" target="_blank">JetPens.com - Japanese Pens and Stationery</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/15bb6522-04ac-11e1-91d9-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1iRNrGZ00" class="link" target="_blank">Thinking, Fast and Slow - FT.com</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.metafilter.com/36975/This-explains-so-much" class="link" target="_blank">This explains so much. | MetaFilter</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2004/11/24/the-forehead-ticket-trick" class="link" target="_blank">The Forehead Ticket Trick | 43 Folders</a> </li><li><a href="http://wiki.43folders.com/index.php/Useful_Landmines" class="link" target="_blank">Useful Landmines - 43FoldersWiki</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Kahneman" class="link" target="_blank">Daniel Kahneman - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace.com (use code `bigweek` for 30% off 3 months)</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.lamag.com/features/Story.aspx?ID=1568281" class="link" target="_blank">Between the Lines - Features - Los Angeles magazine</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Gramsci#Hegemony" class="link" target="_blank">Antonio Gramsci - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Cognitive_biases" class="link" target="_blank">Category:Cognitive biases - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.goldengatebridge.org/research/factsGGBDesign.php#maincable" clas

Jan 4, 20121h 17m

Episode 47: Utter Failure & Hotel Steak

TOPIC: 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. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://mrgan.tumblr.com/post/14868098046/focused-dabbling" class="link" target="_blank">Neven Mrgan&#x27;s tumbl - &quot;Focused dabbling&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/talkshow/72" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | The Talk Show #72: H.R. Fluffypuff</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2006/01/30/fresh-modest-wrapup" class="link" target="_blank">Looking back at our fresh starts &amp; modest changes | 43 Folders</a> </li><li><a href="http://fightwithknives.tumblr.com/post/14837009506/lessons-learned-in-2011" class="link" target="_blank">Fight with knives</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/14870635012/blue-sky-solutioneering-dan-and-i-have-a-very" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - Blue-Sky Solutioneering</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.5ives.com/archives/2008/02/12/five-cues-that-robert-plant-is-ready-to-have-sexual-intercourse-with-you/" class="link" target="_blank">Five cues that Robert Plant is ready to have sexual intercourse with you « 5ives</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/hotdogsladies/status/151415370715119616" class="link" target="_blank">Twitter - &quot;GoDaddy&#x27;s the insane roommate…&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-14-big-city-apology.html" class="link" target="_blank">Ep. 14: &quot;Big City Apology&quot; - Roderick on the Line - Merlin Mann</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.hulu.com/watch/297345/saturday-night-live-comedy-tour-2" class="link" target="_blank">Saturday Night Live: &quot;Kings of Catchphrase Comedy Tour Vol. 2&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2006/01/04/email-dmz" class="link" target="_blank">Fresh Start: The Email DMZ | 43 Folders</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/14887039723/john-the-inbox-baptist" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • Fresh Start: The Email DMZ | 43 Folders Per B2W...</a> </li><li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/how-grinch-stole-christmas!/id268742307?i=268755034&amp;v0=WWW-NAUS-ITSTOP100-TV&amp;ign-mpt=uo%3D2&amp;partnerId=30&amp;siteID=GfpxbBXXpXE-y3gfJGyOQcSr2tOpkzD12A" class="link" target="_blank">iTunes - TV Shows - Dr. Seuss&#x27; How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Remastered Edition</a> </li><li><a href="http://blog.jeffepstein.me/post/14629857835/a-step-by-step-guide-to-transfer-domains-out-of-godaddy" class="link" target="_blank">livin&#x27; the dream · A Step-by-Step Guide to Transfer Domains Out Of GoDaddy</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0394800788/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Horton Hears A Who! (9780394800783): Dr. Seuss: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extensible_Provisioning_Protocol" class="link" target="_blank">Extensible Provisioning Protocol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.sodastreamusa.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Sodastream | Turn Water Into Fresh Sparkling Water And Soda</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_intoxication" class="link" target="_blank">Water intoxication - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onan" class="link" target="_blank">Onan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li></ul>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.squarespace.com/?source=backtowork" title="Squarespace">Squarespace</a> and <a href="http://5by5.tv/advertise" title="Sponsor 5by5">Sponsor 5by5</a>.

Dec 28, 20111h 4m

Episode 46: Not Counting the Mezzanine

Topic: The Meta-Distractions of "Minimalism" This week, Merlin and Dan get all "Zen" about bias and minimalism. Your background won't get any blacker, so stop burning cycles arguing on the internet or worrying about what other people think or how minimal you are. It's not about the bird skeletons, lion skins or barefoot girls. Unless that's what works. Just make sure it really works. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/14520318330/not-counting-the-mezzanine" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • Meet Thorstenson Finlandson</a> </li><li><a href="http://squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace (30% off 3 months with code `fineformerlin`)</a> </li><li><a href="https://agilebits.com/b2w" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] 1Password (40% off everything for B2W listeners)</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI2QZYWoxE0" class="link" target="_blank">The Hudsucker Proxy - &quot;Thorstenson Finlandson&quot;</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/topics/fresh-starts-modest-changes" class="link" target="_blank">Fresh Starts &amp; Modest Changes | 43 Folders</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/374966576/zenzenzenzen" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • 43 Simple Ways To Simplify Your Life</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Wall" class="link" target="_blank">Larry Wall [Wikipedia]</a> </li><li><a href="http://markedapp.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Marked: MultiMarkdown preview, everywhere</a> </li><li><a href="http://mlkshk.com/p/AO01" class="link" target="_blank">Ray Bradbury&#x27;s Desk - mlkshk</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/news/2008/nov/20/man-ball-hoop-bench-and-alleged-thread-teller/" class="link" target="_blank">A man, a ball, a hoop, a bench (and an alleged thread)… TELLER! - Las Vegas Weekly</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0804831866/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Zen Flesh Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings (9780804831864): Paul Reps, Nyogen Senzaki: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1582432546/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Shoes Outside the Door: Desire, Devotion, and Excess at San Francisco Zen Center (9781582432540): Michael Downing: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/14422842720/when-love-breaks-down" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • when love breaks down</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/14388694470/non-canonical-so" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • Non-Canonical So.</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/TJLuoma/status/148973789584162816" class="link" target="_blank">Twitter / @TJLuoma: After 14 years of putting ...</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.theparisreview.org/interviews/4825/the-art-of-fiction-no-21-ernest-hemingway" class="link" target="_blank">Paris Review - The Art of Fiction No. 21, Ernest Hemingway</a> </li><li><a href="http://mmnml.tumblr.com/post/4638952719/mnmlst-dsk" class="link" target="_blank">VIDEO - môr mnml - Merlin&#x27;s Minimalist Workspace </a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjDcARq8ty8" class="link" target="_blank">VIDEO - Penn &amp; Teller&#x27;s Bullet Catch Illusion (amazing!)</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/14443897080/rockpile" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - Intro to Rockpile</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2006/12/21/mb33-distracted-mac" class="link" target="_blank">MacBreak: Minimize distractions on your Mac | 43 Folders</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacGuffin" class="link" target="_blank">MacGuffin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://pixar.wikia.com/M-O" class="link" target="_blank">M-O</a> </li><li><a href="http://stereopsis.com/flux/" class="link" target="_blank">F.lux: software to make your life better</a> </li><li><a href="http:

Dec 20, 20111h 23m

Episode 45: Finagling the Tree Bag

Topic: The Narcissism of Small Differences This week, Merlin has a quiz for Dan to determine whether Ben Franklin, "The Immigrant Song," or Quantum Mechanics has the most cultural impact--as well as his teasing out Dan's go-to for uninstalling Android apps. Paying attention to the same degree you care goes nicely with keeping a sense of humor. Especially about those small differences regarding couch cushions, pink spaceships, and Sgt. Pepper's. The answers are Moby Dick, Julian calendars, ZoSo, chigger bites, and--yes--The Greater Nerd Theory. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickbilton/3779169741/" class="link" target="_blank">Benjamin Franklin&#x27;s daily schedule | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a> </li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/joelhousman/status/146684663493173248" class="link" target="_blank">Twitter / @joelhousman: @hotdogsladies @danbenjami ...</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neils_Bohr" class="link" target="_blank">Niels Bohr - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/talkshow/70" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | The Talk Show #70: Pre-Lit</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/b2w/39" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Back to Work #39: A Source of Rice with Velocity</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.merlinmann.com/better" class="link" target="_blank">Merlin&#x27;s Essay: Better</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Narcissism_of_small_differences&amp;useformat=mobile&amp;mfi=1&amp;mobileaction=view_normal_site" class="link" target="_blank">Narcissism of small differences - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&amp;safe=off&amp;client=safari&amp;q=ZoSo&amp;oq=ZoSo&amp;aq=f&amp;aqi=g5&amp;aql=&amp;gs_sm=e&amp;gs_upl=737982l742870l0l743858l4l4l0l0l0l0l697l1833l5-3l3l0&amp;mvs=0" class="link" target="_blank">ZoSo - Google Search</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/14175673767/discontent" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe • Easily, the best edition of this very important...</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008OWZC/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: How the West Was Won: Led Zeppelin: Music</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Larry_Wall" class="link" target="_blank">Larry Wall Quotes</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/e-mail-addresses-it-would-be-really-annoying-to-give-out-over-the-phone" class="link" target="_blank">McSweeney’s Internet Tendency: List: E-mail Addresses It Would Be Really Annoying to Give Out Over the Phone.</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2010/09/10/my-paladin" class="link" target="_blank">My Faith in Nerds: Stronger Than Any Gelatinous Cube | 43 Folders</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqgyZMOkr48" class="link" target="_blank">Elvis Presley - &quot;Too Much&quot; [worst. guitar solo. ever.]</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFPd6fZaKAs" class="link" target="_blank">Led Zeppelin - &quot;Heartbreaker&quot; (live) [Slamming version; asinine guitar solo]</a> </li><li><a href="http://smilesoftware.com/b2w/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Smile Software (20% off with code `lastchance`)</a> </li><li><a href="http://squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace (30% off 3 months with code `fineformerlin`)</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=All_My_Love_(song)&amp;useformat=mobile" class="link" target="_blank">All My Love (song) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li></ul>Sponsored by <a href="http://5by5.tv/advertise" title="Sponsor 5by5">Sponsor 5by5</a>, <a href="http://www.smilesoftware.com/5by5" title="Smile">Smile</a>, and <a href="http://www.squarespace.com/?source=backtowork" title="Squarespace">Squarespace</a>.

Dec 13, 20111h 9m

Episode 44: Circuitous Bridge of My Own Design

Topic: Moving from dumb nouns to awesome verbs. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the problem with Capital Letter Nouns; how real and specific verbs will always trounce Excellence, Effectiveness, and Mission Statements--even in the Best-of-Breed Pursuance of Five-Nines Quality Across The Enterprise. They also look at transitive and intransitive flavors of "feasance," finding your keyboard's <code>Excellence</code> Key, opting-in for The Johnson Treatment, lancing that actionable boil, and (as ever) shooting the obvious fish in the obvious barrel. Links for this episode:<ul><li><a href="http://vimeo.com/33188508" class="link" target="_blank">Merlin Loves 1Password on Vimeo</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5illustrated.tumblr.com/" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 Illustrated</a> </li><li><a href="http://squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace (offer code: `fineformerlin`)</a> </li><li><a href="https://agilebits.com/b2w" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] 1Password (40% off everything for B2W listeners)</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capgras_delusion" class="link" target="_blank">Capgras delusion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_Sigma" class="link" target="_blank">Six Sigma - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=johnson%20rod" class="link" target="_blank">Urban Dictionary: johnson rod</a> </li><li><a href="https://alamedapointantiquesfaire.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Antiques, Collectibles, Shows, Clothing, Food, By the Bay, Alameda Point Antiques Faire and Michaans Auctions</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2004/10/04/capital-letter-nouns-v-lower-case-verbs" class="link" target="_blank">Capital Letter Nouns v. lower-case verbs | 43 Folders</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_statement" class="link" target="_blank">Mission statement - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agile_software_development" class="link" target="_blank">Agile software development - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.red-sweater.com/marsedit/" class="link" target="_blank">MarsEdit 3 - Desktop blog editing for the Mac.</a> </li><li><a href="http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/malfeasance" class="link" target="_blank">malfeasance legal definition of malfeasance. malfeasance synonyms by the Free Online Law Dictionary.</a> </li><li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/squarespace/id318590874?ls=1&amp;mt=8&amp;partnerId=30&amp;siteID=GfpxbBXXpXE-y3gfJGyOQcSr2tOpkzD12A" class="link" target="_blank">App Store - Squarespace for iOS</a> </li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Instruments_TI-99/4A" class="link" target="_blank">Texas Instruments TI-99/4A - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1423142993/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: The Uncanny X-Men: An Origin Story (9781423142997): Rich Thomas, Storybook Art Group: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0785121013/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Uncanny X-Men Omnibus (v. 1) (9780785121015): Chris Claremont, Len Wein, Dave Cockrum, John Byrne: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/conversation/27" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | The Conversation #27: Missionless Statements</a> </li><li><a href="http://cl.ly/101A3h220F2m2f1k101u" class="link" target="_blank">IMAGE: Merlin&#x27;s Giant X-Men Omnibus</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0596004850/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Extreme Programming Pocket Guide (9780596004859): chromatic: Books</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/13847709130/new-frames" class="link" target="_blank">IMAGE: Merlin&#x27;s New Frames</a> </li><li><a href="http://frakintosh.com/post/13859774637" class="link" target="_blank">Frakintosh - &quot;Hi.&quot;

Dec 7, 20111h 13m

Back to Work