Back to Work

<p><strong>Topic</strong>: Asking questions in order to find better questions</p> <p>This week, Dan and Merlin pick up their discussion of asking better questions and how sometimes the point of asking a question isn't to get an answer, but to get another, even better question.</p> <p>How do you do this? Blundell Chains, hypotheses, the clackity noise, and iteration.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://smilesoftware.com/b2w/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] TextExpander (coupon code: LASTCHANCE)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/?channel=podcast&subchannel=backtowork&source=backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace (offer code: `fineformerlin`)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/b2w/42" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Back to Work #42: Coconut Headphones</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.webstock.org.nz/blog/2011/adam-lisagor-interview-by-merlin-mann/" class="link" target="_blank">Adam Lisagor – interview by Merlin Mann</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://help.squarespace.com/customer/portal/topics/3829-visual-customization/articles" class="link" target="_blank">Visual Customization | Squarespace Help & Support</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://help.squarespace.com/customer/portal/topics/3054-advanced-customization/articles" class="link" target="_blank">Advanced Customization | Squarespace Help & Support</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/" class="link" target="_blank">Roderick on the Line - Merlin's new podcast Dan won't listen to.</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/444164120/check-out-textexpanders-new-fill-functionality" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - Check out TextExpander’s new “Fill” functionality....</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0867096004/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: The Essential Don Murray: Lessons from America's Greatest Writing Teacher (9780867096002): Donald M. Murray, Thomas Newkirk, Lisa C. Miller: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400078695/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: A Writer's Coach: The Complete Guide to Writing Strategies That Work (9781400078691): Jack R. Hart: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0399227016/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Spot Bakes a Cake (9780399227011): Eric Hill: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/13381735863/i-got-the-spot-cake-no-words" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - I got the “Spot” cake No words.</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_Who_Sold_the_World_(song)" class="link" target="_blank">The Man Who Sold the World (song) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND3haD-c0lw" class="link" target="_blank">Hüsker Dü - "New Day Rising"</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/13319350565/humanity-horse" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - Return of Humanity Horse Still brutal. ...</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.jyi.org/features/ft.php?id=447" class="link" target="_blank">JYI.org :: The Psychology of Time</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://blog.publishedandprofitable.com/2009/06/29/more-writing-tips-from-jack-hart-author-a-writers-coach/" class="link" target="_blank">More of Jack Hart’s practical writing tips for authors, from A Writer’s Coach: The Complete Guide to Writing Strategies That Work</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.voanews.com/learningenglish/home/a-23-2006-08-15-voa11-83131467.html" class="link" target="_blank">Getting Into the Writing Game, With Words of Advice From a Coach | Special English | Learning English</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/332714224/don-murray" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - Appreciating Donald Murray</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/169873399/clackity-noise" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - Making the Clackity Noise</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/13192931787/questions-questions" class="link" target="_

<p>This week Dan and Merlin talk about asking good questions instead of massaging your real problem until it fits the comforting solution you found on the cover of a magazine.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.macworld.com/article/163606/2011/11/check_your_musics_icloud_status.html" class="link" target="_blank">Macworld Check your music's iCloud Status | Music and Audio</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.macsparky.com/blog/2011/11/21/macworld-2012-rob-corddry-and-a-magic-show.html" class="link" target="_blank">MacSparky - Blog - Macworld 2012 - Rob Corddry and a Magic Show </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii6kJaGiRaI" class="link" target="_blank">The Mountain Goats - "This Year" (2005)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858539112/" class="link" target="_blank">Lyrics: The Mountain Goats - "This Year"</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR}: Squarespace.com (offer code = `soangry`)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_drawer_effect" class="link" target="_blank">Publication bias - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://chronicle.com/article/As-Dutch-Research-Scandal/129746/" class="link" target="_blank">As Dutch Research Scandal Unfolds, Social Psychologists Question Themselves - Research - The Chronicle of Higher Education</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/15bb6522-04ac-11e1-91d9-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1e0MPRsYN" class="link" target="_blank">Thinking, Fast and Slow - FT.com</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://andrewgelman.com/2011/04/arrows_other_th/" class="link" target="_blank">Arrow’s other theorem « Statistical Modeling, Causal Inference, and Social Science</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.macworld.com/article/163620/2011/11/how_to_upgrade_tracks_to_itunes_match_fast.html" class="link" target="_blank">How to upgrade tracks to iTunes Match, fast | Macworld</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.5ives.com/archives/2004/04/09/five-terrible-fake-acdc-songs-about-how-hard-it-is-to-be-in-a-band/" class="link" target="_blank">Five terrible fake AC/DC songs about how hard it is to be in a band « 5ives</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth-616" class="link" target="_blank">Earth-616 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/12899463738/and-snacks" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe: "…And Snacks"</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://jackcheng.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Jack Cheng</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://givemesomethingtoread.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Give Me Something To Read</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://longreads.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Longreads: The best long-form stories on the web</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.skepdic.com/filedrawer.html" class="link" target="_blank">file-drawer effect - The Skeptic's Dictionary - Skepdic.com</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_thinking" class="link" target="_blank">Magical thinking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cargo_cult" class="link" target="_blank">Cargo cult - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_reading" class="link" target="_blank">Cold reading - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://thesecret.tv/" class="link" target="_blank">Official Web Site of The Secret and The Power</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_(book)" class="link" target="_blank">The Secret (book) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_in_the_Machine_(The_Police_album)" class="link" target="_blank">Ghost in the Machine (The Police album) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://m.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/11/lies-damned-lies-and-medical-science/8269/" class="link" target="_blank">Lies, Damned Lies, and Medical Science - Atlantic Mobile</a><br /&

<p>Dan and Merlin talk more about why we get stuck and how might re-think getting "unstuck." Looking at process over product, remembering how you got here, and getting clear about what you're really trying to make.</p> <p>Merlin also has some updates and tips for your iTunes Matching and your Google searching.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://blog.squarespace.com/blog/2011/11/15/the-great-style-revival.html" class="link" target="_blank">The Great Style Revival - Blog - The Official Squarespace Blog</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://insidesearch.blogspot.com/2011/11/search-using-your-terms-verbatim.html" class="link" target="_blank">Search using your terms, verbatim - Inside Search</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Beefheart" class="link" target="_blank">Captain Beefheart - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/hypercritical/42" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Hypercritical #42: The Wrong Guy</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Metamorphosis" class="link" target="_blank">The Metamorphosis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/eatpraylove.htm" class="link" target="_blank">Elizabeth Gilbert's official website</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://brettterpstra.com/keybindings-new-improved-surround-commands/" class="link" target="_blank">KeyBindings: new, improved</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://brettterpstra.com/marked-scripts-nvalt-evernote-marsedit-scrivener/" class="link" target="_blank">Marked scripts: nvALT, Evernote, MarsEdit, Scrivener - Brett Terpstra</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html" class="link" target="_blank">Elizabeth Gilbert on nurturing creativity | Video on TED.com</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sestina" class="link" target="_blank">Sestina - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/sf/ballpark/seating_pricing.jsp" class="link" target="_blank">Ballpark Seating Chart | SFGiants.com: Ballpark</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castilian_Spanish" class="link" target="_blank">Castilian Spanish - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace.com</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Hundred_Years_of_Solitude" class="link" target="_blank">One Hundred Years of Solitude - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://750words.com/" class="link" target="_blank">About a little thing called 750 Words</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0815411901/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Captain Beefheart: The Biography (9780815411901): Mike Barnes: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stranger_(novel)" class="link" target="_blank">The Stranger (novel) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1451648537/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Steve Jobs (9781451648539): Walter Isaacson: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/15bb6522-04ac-11e1-91d9-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1dc8PzEAZ" class="link" target="_blank">Thinking, Fast and Slow - FT.com</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://cl.ly/1e462Z0Y0z1E3l0N1v0M" class="link" target="_blank">IMG: Smart Playlist for troubleshooting iTunes Match errors</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.scottberkun.com/blog/2009/how-to-write-a-book-part-2/" class="link" target="_blank">How to write a book, part 2 « Scott Berkun</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/355/the-giant-pool-of-money" class="link" target="_blank">(Planet Money) The Giant Pool of Money | This American Life</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.macworld.com/article/163606/2011/11/check_your_musics_icloud_status.html" class="link" target="_blank">Check your music's iCloud Status | Macworld</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0735619670/5by5-20" class="link" target="_b

<p>Dan and Merlin talk about what it means for Google to change the meaning of "plus," and how it might bolster the production of "stuff and needy."</p> <p>They also consider options for "getting unstuck" with a creative project—how, sometimes, the constraints can help a lot more than the options.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://code.squarespace.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Code Library - Squarespace Code Library</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace.com (offer code: `soangry`)</a><br /></li></ul><p>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.squarespace.com/?source=backtowork" title="Squarespace">Squarespace</a>.</p>

<p>On strength and tolerance.</p> <p>Dan and Merlin talk about the many facets of strength, including the complexity of knowing what to be strong about, to whom, and when.</p> <p>It's about way more than nailing the "clean and jerk" or yelling at Sips-His-Coffee-Really-Loud Guy. It's also about accepting all the things they just can't stand about you.</p> <p>Also covered: the inescapability of Italian disco, maintaining an unassailable lawn, confronting skinny ladies in heels, negotiating D-minus hip-hop, and finding the will to spelunk <i>all the way</i> down the personal productivity stack.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.macworld.com/article/163340/2011/11/garageband_for_ios_goes_universal_adds_new_features.html" class="link" target="_blank">GarageBand for iOS goes universal, adds new features | Macworld</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/hotdogsladies/status/51810733268287490" class="link" target="_blank">@hotdogsladies: "Watched a homeless guy throw fried rice at a pigeon for an hour. Would've left sooner but having an audience made them both try WAY harder."</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ted" class="link" target="_blank">Ted (ted) on Twitter</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tedseverson/sets/72157627697519411/" class="link" target="_blank">Roderick On The Line - a set on Flickr (Ted's awesome Roderick on the Line art)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Akyx5iu_z8Y" class="link" target="_blank">Giorgio Moroder ? Chase (theme from Midnight Express) - YouTube</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giorgio_Moroder" class="link" target="_blank">Giorgio Moroder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.discogs.com/artist/Giorgio+Moroder" class="link" target="_blank">Giorgio Moroder Discography at Discogs</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean_and_jerk" class="link" target="_blank">Clean and jerk - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priapism" class="link" target="_blank">Priapism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.drugs.com/sfx/abilify-side-effects.html" class="link" target="_blank">Abilify Side Effects | Drugs.com</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parrhesia" class="link" target="_blank">Parrhesia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.shmoop.com/slaughterhouse-five/fate-free-will-quotes.html" class="link" target="_blank">Slaughterhouse-Five: "Vy you? Vy anybody?"</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/12212942538/plastic-dim-sum-thingee" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - Plastic Dim Sum Thingee (from the artist’s...</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace (use coupon code: `soangry`)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prolapse" class="link" target="_blank">Prolapse - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebration,_Florida" class="link" target="_blank">Celebration, Florida - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lil_Wayne" class="link" target="_blank">Lil Wayne - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mXBbVc4Df8 " class="link" target="_blank">Metallica - Fade to Black (1985)</a><br /></li></ul><p>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.barebones.com/5by5" title="Bare Bones">Bare Bones</a> and <a href="http://www.mailchimp.com/?pid=5by5&source=website" title="MailChimp">MailChimp</a>.</p>

<p>On improving presentation culture.</p> <p>Dan and Merlin talk about bombing the deck, advancing the slides, and striving to improve the self-perpetuating bad culture of presentations.</p> <p>Slide?!?</p> <p>(Also, kid germs in the spaghetti, meeting the angry corn guy, and moving closer to the metal with our Showbot hero.)</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/mutewinter" class="link" target="_blank">Jeremy Mack (mutewinter) on Twitter</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kurtisbeavers.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Kurtis Beavers Illustration</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://pileofturtles.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Turtle Log | A Programmer Blog</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anapanasati" class="link" target="_blank">Anapanasati - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/?channel=podcast&subchannel=backtowork&source=backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Squarespace.com (use coupon code `merlinlovesus`)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/merlin/6264087517/in/photostream/" class="link" target="_blank">In which Crabby learns The Angry Dancing Corn is called, "Cornzilla" | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0735620520/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Beyond Bullet Points: Using Microsoft PowerPoint to Create Presentations That Inform, Motivate, and Inspire (Bpg-Other) (9780735620520): Cliff Atkinson: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0321525655/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery (9780321525659): Garr Reynolds: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/9850299631/pantscrapping-zen" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - No pressure or anything.</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/11735748254/crabby-helping-me-prep-my-slides-taken-with" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - Prepping my “slides”</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cedilla" class="link" target="_blank">Cedilla - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2009/03/25/blogs-turbocharged" class="link" target="_blank">43f Podcast: John Gruber & Merlin Mann's Blogging Panel at SxSW</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2010/04/27/impro-talk" class="link" target="_blank">Video: Merlin's Time & Attention Talk (Improvised Rutgers Edition)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2011/03/28/scared-shitless" class="link" target="_blank">Scared Shitless</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://vimeo.com/5895898" class="link" target="_blank">Seth Godin: Quieting the Lizard Brain on Vimeo</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.targus.com/us/productdetail.aspx?sku=AMP09US" class="link" target="_blank">[Merlin's Remote] Targus Multimedia Presentation Remote | AMP09US</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/presentation-clock/id391324914?mt=8&partnerId=30&siteID=GfpxbBXXpXE-y3gfJGyOQcSr2tOpkzD12A" class="link" target="_blank">App Store - Presentation Clock</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2007/08/23/better-presentations" class="link" target="_blank">How I Made My Presentations a Little Better</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/11923970022/mappy" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - How my weird brain works If you’re curious—and...</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://cl.ly/3r152o1v0o1L2Y0x1J0O" class="link" target="_blank">Sample: Presenter Mode</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.merlinmann.com/media/2009/1/27/video-merlins-macworld-09-talk-toward-patterns-for-creativit.html" class="link" target="_blank">Video: Merlin's Macworld '09 Talk, "Toward Patterns for Creativity" - Merlin's Media - Video, Audio, Photos and More - Merlin Mann</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.indietalk.com/showthread.php?t=34544" class="link" target="_blank">2 types of stories "1. Hero goes on a

<p>This week, Merlin loves and hates iCloud while loving and REALLY loving Dropbox. He and Dan observe angry corn, discuss emailing files to yourself, wonder what to do with an ugly photo, and explore Mr. Noodle's brother, Mr. Noodle.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.apple.com/icloud/what-is.html" class="link" target="_blank">Apple - iCloud stores your content and pushes it to your devices.</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://smilesoftware.com/b2w/" class="link" target="_blank">TextExpander: Mac Typing Shortcut Utility Saves You Time!</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://usesthis.com/" class="link" target="_blank">The Setup</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/victoriabarret/2011/10/18/dropbox-the-inside-story-of-techs-hottest-startup/" class="link" target="_blank">Dropbox: The Inside Story Of Tech's Hottest Startup - Forbes</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://dropdav.com/" class="link" target="_blank">DropDAV: Home</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2011/10/17/instapaper-4" class="link" target="_blank">Instapaper 4: Deciding to Read | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.eventbee.com/v/thecombine2011/discount?code=COMESEEMEATTHECOMBINEIN2011" class="link" target="_blank">The Combine 2011 - Eventbee</a><br /></li></ul><p>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://squarespace.com/5by5" title="Squarespace">Squarespace</a>.</p>

<p>Merlin Mann talks with Dan Benjamin about his dogged obsession with the flexibility of index cards—for propping up tables, giving very small cuts, and getting babies hygienically removed. Then, there is much talk of graphing your focal length against your time and attention.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.danpatrick.com/" class="link" target="_blank">The Dan Patrick Show | Official Home</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2009/03/25/blogs-turbocharged" class="link" target="_blank">43f Podcast: John Gruber & Merlin Mann's Blogging Panel at SxSW | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://kickingbear.com/blog/archives/244" class="link" target="_blank">kickingbear» Blog Archive » About Steve</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2005/04/04/anne-lamott-on-index-cards" class="link" target="_blank">Anne Lamott on index cards | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I25UeVXrEHQ" class="link" target="_blank">Richard Stallman Eats Something From His Foot - YouTube</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick" class="link" target="_blank">New Podcast: "Roderick on the Line" - John Roderick and Merlin Mann</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2011/03/28/scared-shitless" class="link" target="_blank">Scared Shitless | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj7KRcV8r3M" class="link" target="_blank">Geena Davis - The Fly - YouTube</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2004/09/03/introducing-the-hipster-pda" class="link" target="_blank">Introducing the Hipster PDA | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mole_(unit)" class="link" target="_blank">Mole (unit) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/4025626210/what-you-do" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - Synecdoche, New York - Official Trailer I...</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/merlin/3970549456/" class="link" target="_blank">This explains everything | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI-PYIGZxoE" class="link" target="_blank">Armand Van Helden - Hear My Name - YouTube</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.gladwell.com/2002/2002_03_25_a_paper.htm" class="link" target="_blank">gladwell dot com - the social life of paper</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=8BE073Ic3RUC&pg=PA13&lpg=PA13&dq=malcolm+gladwell+keep+less+paper&source=bl&ots=C4jucM6Ozy&sig=0s106pRvoAzw9CG4TqRi1SQpcrw&hl=en&ei=3uWUTr_bAqbr0gHEyPnjBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBoQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=" class="link" target="_blank">Make Magazine: "Death to Paper! Long Live Paper!"</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.merlinmann.com/media/2009/1/27/video-merlins-macworld-09-talk-toward-patterns-for-creativit.html" class="link" target="_blank">Video: Merlin's Macworld '09 Talk, "Toward Patterns for Creativity" - Merlin's Media - Video, Audio, Photos and More - Merlin Mann</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://arstechnica.com/staff/fatbits/2011/10/steve-jobs-a-personal-remembrance.ars" class="link" target="_blank">Steve Jobs: a personal remembrance</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://daringfireball.net/2011/10/universe_dented_grass_underfoot" class="link" target="_blank">Daring Fireball: Universe Dented, Grass Underfoot</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://technologizer.com/2011/10/09/apple-steve-jobs-stallman/" class="link" target="_blank">A Strange Sort of Prison, a Strange Sort of Freedom</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105104/" class="link" target="_blank">Passenger 57 (1992) - IMDb</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hype_Williams_videography" class="link" target="_blank">Hype Williams videography - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0743235266/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon: "The Creative Habit" by Twyla Tharpe</a><br /></li><

<p>How to handle job interviews.</p> <p>Merlin and Dan can't solve the problem of interviews being dumb, but Merlin will tell you what is wrong with you, how long you'll have to wait for your resume to get you a job, how Larry Wall interviews for a Perl job, and whether or not the answer is always Yes, like they were just telling Stephen (yes, Hawking).</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seduction_community" class="link" target="_blank">Seduction community - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2009/08/04/enough" class="link" target="_blank">Merlin's Talk: "With All Due Respect to the Seduction Community"</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Wall" class="link" target="_blank">Larry Wall - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/hotdogsladies/status/9827218926600192" class="link" target="_blank">Twitter / @hotdogsladies: "You guys know if there's any Monopoly Guy/Sir Topham Hatt slash fiction?"</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.coldstonecreamery.com/catering/" class="link" target="_blank">Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream Catering</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.blackjack-university.com/classroom/information/3.html" class="link" target="_blank">Blackjack Classroom</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_position_effect" class="link" target="_blank">Serial position effect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/158008270X/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: What Color Is Your Parachute? 2011: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers (9781580082709): Richard N. Bolles: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.jobhuntersbible.com/" class="link" target="_blank">JobHuntersBible.com:</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://web.archive.org/web/200011090708/http://www.merlin.nu/resume.html" class="link" target="_blank">Résumé of Merlin Mann (10/2000)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandre_Dumas" class="link" target="_blank">Alexandre Dumas, père - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandre_Dumas,_fils" class="link" target="_blank">Alexandre Dumas, fils - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Candy_bars" class="link" target="_blank">Category:Candy bars - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20010607052340/http://www.danbenjamin.com/resume.html" class="link" target="_blank">Résumé of Dan Benjamin (06/2001)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/waywaiwaywai/6181432961/" class="link" target="_blank">Awesome B2W-related sketchbook drawing. So great.</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/10705647855/you-stay-classy-marriott" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - You stay classy, Marriott</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://brettterpstra.com/keybinding-madness/" class="link" target="_blank">KeyBinding madness - Brett Terpstra</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.siracusasaidso.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Siracusa said so. - Actual quotes, complaints, and wise sayings from John Siracusa as heard on 5by5's entertaining Hypercritical broadcast.</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.authenticjobs.com/jobs/9953/sales-representative" class="link" target="_blank">Sales Representative at 5by5 Studios ~ Authentic Jobs</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JBvfZTx-vs" class="link" target="_blank">Good Will Hunting - Funny Job Interview (Ben Affleck) - YouTube</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.viddler.com/explore/rooreynolds/videos/17/" class="link" target="_blank">Viddler.com - Merlin Mann - Worst Website Ever - SXSW 2008 - Uploaded by rooreynolds</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/1903.html" class="link" target="_blank">Quote Details: Woody Allen: Eighty percent of success... - The Quotations Page</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphasia" class="link" target="_blank">Aphasia - Wiki

<p>How to say "no."</p> <p>Merlin talks with Dan about saying No to toilet paper diamonds, mints on pillows, and things you don't have the wallet for instead of saying Yes to a crate of bananas you don't have enough information about or giving a qualified Yes to planning Christmas parties you don't have any interest in.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.collativelearning.com/the%20shining.html" class="link" target="_blank">THE SHINING (1979) analysis by Rob Ager</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385531737/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Brandwashed: Tricks Companies Use to Manipulate Our Minds and Persuade Us to Buy (9780385531733): Martin Lindstrom: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/hypercritical/34" class="link" target="_blank">5by5 | Hypercritical #34: Pride in Craftsmanship</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance" class="link" target="_blank">Cognitive dissonance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/1779611/priming-whole-foods-derren-brown" class="link" target="_blank">How Whole Foods "Primes" You To Shop | Fast Company</a><br /></li></ul><p>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.helpspot.com/5by5/" title="HelpSpot">HelpSpot</a> and <a href="http://www.rackspace.com/5by5" title="Rackspace">Rackspace</a>.</p>

<p>Merlin Mann and Dan Benjamin have a totally natural emotional reaction to the unreasonable demands they place on themselves after reading The Spongebob Report. Maybe they wouldn't have offended non-ex-Marines if they had just taken some time and consulted their Manager of Expectations.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/9757810837/hell" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - [Probably the Greatest Keynote Slide of All Time]</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/danbenjammin" class="link" target="_blank">Dan Benjammin' (danbenjammin) on Twitter</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://jasobrecht.com/eddie-van-halen-complete-1978-interviews/" class="link" target="_blank">Eddie Van Halen: The Complete 1978 Interviews</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/danbenjamin/1372787859/" class="link" target="_blank">[Dan] with the Les Paul (circa 1991) | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/12/is-spongebob-squarepants-bad-for-children/?pagewanted=all" class="link" target="_blank">Is SpongeBob SquarePants Bad for Children? - NYTimes.com</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/10007375880/i-find-this-photo-just-dazzlingly-disturbing" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - ["the visual equivalent of being told you’re eating human flesh"]</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrame" class="link" target="_blank">Macramé - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khpQQLzWHF8" class="link" target="_blank">Guided by Voices - Game of Pricks (Amoeba Records) - YouTube</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://twitpic.com/2bj58" class="link" target="_blank">Ashton Kutcher's Lady in Her Panties</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/hypercritical/33" class="link" target="_blank">Hypercritical #33 [Jay-Sir on Markdown and why he doesn't use it]</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/11/lies-damned-lies-and-medical-science/8269/?single_page=true" class="link" target="_blank">Lies, Damned Lies, and Medical Science - Magazine - The Atlantic</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/cookplastic.asp" class="link" target="_blank">snopes.com: Microwaving Plastic Releases Cancer-Causing Agents</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.plasticsinfo.org/Functional-Nav/FAQs/Plastic-in-Microwave/default.aspx" class="link" target="_blank">FAQs: Using Plastics in the Microwave</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.unplggd.com/unplggd/books-guides-resources/tech-myth-is-it-safe-to-microwave-plastic-138236" class="link" target="_blank">Tech Myth: Is it Safe to Microwave Plastic? | Apartment Therapy Unplggd</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chancre" class="link" target="_blank">Chancre - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></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><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesneriad" class="link" target="_blank">Gesneriaceae - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://pbskids.org/caillou/" class="link" target="_blank">Caillou: Games, Coloring and Activities | PBS KIDS</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.zeldman.com/dwws/" class="link" target="_blank">Designing With Web Standards, 3rd Edition</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://diveintomark.org/archives/2003/08/29/semantics" class="link" target="_blank">Won’t somebody please think of the gerbils? [dive into mark]</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.blueprintcss.org/" class="link" target="_blank">Blueprint: A CSS Framework | Spend your time innovating, not replicating</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2011/09/08/peds.2011-2071.full.pdf+html" class="link" target="_blank">The Effects of Fast-Paced Cartoons</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2011/09/12/nickelodeon-responds-to-study-claiming-spongebob-hinders-preschoolers-attention-spans/" class="link" target="_blank">Nickelodeon Respo

<p>Merlin and Dan talk about Dan's sabbatical, hotdogs, services, triggers, Quicksilver, Launchbar, and why there's no 'I' in 'ordnance.'</p> <p>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.mailchimp.com/?pid=5by5&source=website" title="MailChimp">MailChimp</a> and <a href="http://www.smilesoftware.com/5by5" title="Smile">Smile</a>.</p>

<p>With Dan on sabbatical, Merlin is joined by <a href="http://twitter.com/johnroderick"><strong>John Roderick</strong></a> of <a href="http://www.thelongwinters.com/">The Long Winters</a> to talk about life as a bull in a china closet, craving real-world constraints, making better records, and being banned for life from Interpol’s corn chip bowl.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0XLKcMoXRE" class="link" target="_blank">Van Halen - Hot For Teacher - YouTube</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I6JGVjUPUU" class="link" target="_blank">Def Leppard- Bringing on the Heartbreak - YouTube</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_John_%22Mutt%22_Lange" class="link" target="_blank">Robert John "Mutt" Lange - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway_to_Hell_(album)" class="link" target="_blank">Highway to Hell - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.washington.edu/" class="link" target="_blank">University of Washington - washington.edu</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.thelongwinters.com/" class="link" target="_blank">The Long Winters</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/johnroderick" class="link" target="_blank">john roderick (johnroderick) on Twitter</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Roderick_(musician)" class="link" target="_blank">John Roderick (musician) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.themerlinshow.com/ep/012-interview-john-roderick" class="link" target="_blank">012: Interview: John Roderick | The Merlin Show</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.themerlinshow.com/ep/016-interview-john-roderick-part-2" class="link" target="_blank">016: Interview: John Roderick, Part 2 | The Merlin Show</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.themerlinshow.com/ep/017-interview-john-roderick-part-3" class="link" target="_blank">017: Interview: John Roderick, Part 3 | The Merlin Show</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.themerlinshow.com/ep/018-interview-john-roderick-part-4" class="link" target="_blank">018: Interview: John Roderick, Part 4 | The Merlin Show</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2011/01/21/meet-hotrod" class="link" target="_blank">Video: John Roderick on String Art Owls, Copper Pipe, and Bono's Boss | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=johnroderick&w=35034346876%40N01&s=int&ss=2&z=e" class="link" target="_blank">Flickr: Merlin's extensive "John Roderick" gallery</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TknNcpAAlA" class="link" target="_blank">"Blue Diamonds" - the Long Winters - YouTube</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fvd7jspvi88" class="link" target="_blank">The Long Winters: "The Commander Thinks Aloud" - YouTube</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcrKRsxcmJg" class="link" target="_blank">The Long Winters - Through With Love Preview - YouTube</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTnLVX689fE" class="link" target="_blank">Harvey Danger - Sad Sweetheart of the Rodeo - YouTube</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://new.thelongwinterslibrary.com/readingroom?order=field_author_value&sort=desc&page=1" class="link" target="_blank">reading room | the long winters library & archive</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impasto" class="link" target="_blank">Impasto - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenthaler" class="link" target="_blank">Helen Frankenthaler - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/253301149/philipsburg" class="link" target="_blank">Richard Hugo reads "Degrees of Grey in Philipsburg"</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://wesleystace.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Wesley Stace | John Wesley Harding</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Tho

<p>With Dan on sabbatical, Merlin is joined by <strong>Jonathan Coulton</strong> to talk about traveling, horn sections, and Jonathan’s new album, <em>Artificial Heart</em>.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.jonathancoulton.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Jonathan Coulton - Home Page</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://jococruisecrazy.com/" class="link" target="_blank">JoCo Cruise Crazy II: February 19–26, 2012 | A 7-day Southern Caribbean cruise on Holland America’s ms Westerdam, with Jonathan Coulton and friends | JoCo Cruise Crazy II</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://thingaweekredux.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Thing a Week Redux</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.themerlinshow.com/ep/002-interview-jonathan-coulton" class="link" target="_blank">002: Interview: Jonathan Coulton | The Merlin Show</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.themerlinshow.com/ep/007-interview-jonathan-coulton-part-2" class="link" target="_blank">007: Interview: Jonathan Coulton, Part 2 | The Merlin Show</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/abattoir" class="link" target="_blank">abattoir - definition of abattoir by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1157605/" class="link" target="_blank">Anvil! The Story of Anvil (2008) - IMDb</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.paulandstorm.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Paul and Storm » Original Comedy Music from Professional Singing Persons</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.jonathancoulton.com/2011/07/28/first-track-from-artificial-heart/" class="link" target="_blank">Jonathan Coulton - First Track from Artificial Heart</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.jonathancoulton.com/store/" class="link" target="_blank">Jonathan Coulton - Store</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Flansburgh" class="link" target="_blank">John Flansburgh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://tmbw.net/wiki/John_Flansburgh" class="link" target="_blank">John Flansburgh - TMBW: The They Might Be Giants Knowledge Base</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.jonathancoulton.com/store/merchandise/" class="link" target="_blank">Jonathan Coulton - Shirts and Stuff</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=JOCO-SKULLCRUSHER&Category_Code=JOCO" class="link" target="_blank">TopatoCo: Skullcrusher Mountain Shirt</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://tmbw.net/wiki/Jonathan_Coulton" class="link" target="_blank">Jonathan Coulton - TMBW: The They Might Be Giants Knowledge Base</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.theawl.com/2011/08/a-conversation-with-john-flansburgh-and-jonathan-coulton" class="link" target="_blank">A Conversation With John Flansburgh And Jonathan Coulton | The Awl</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.jonathancoulton.com/wiki/Artificial_Heart" class="link" target="_blank">Artificial Heart (album) - JoCopedia, the Jonathan Coulton wiki</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.jonathancoulton.com/wiki/Sticking_It_To_Myself" class="link" target="_blank">Sticking It To Myself - JoCopedia, the Jonathan Coulton wiki</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.jonathancoulton.com/wiki/Today_With_Your_Wife" class="link" target="_blank">Today With Your Wife - JoCopedia, the Jonathan Coulton wiki</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-h4-rlD_sY" class="link" target="_blank">Jonathan Coulton - "Mr. Fancy Pants" in SF - YouTube</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.zendrum.com/catalog.html" class="link" target="_blank">Zendrum | Catalog</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWEzf-mska4" class="link" target="_blank">Rick Springfield - Love Is Alright Tonite - YouTube</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/273/put-your-heart-in-it" class="link" target="_blank">Put Your Heart In It | This American Life</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.stanharrison.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Stan Harrison- Composer and Saxophone Player</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://tmbw.net/wiki/Dan_Levine"

<p>With Dan on sabbatical, Merlin is joined by TV’s <strong>Rob Corddry</strong> (<em>Children’s Hospital</em>, <em>The Daily Show</em>, <em>Hot Tub Time Machine</em>) to talk about <em>Getting Things Done</em>, writing, fear, and finding success as a blood-soaked clown.</p></p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/a00e525200/who-are-you-in-sex-and-the-city-from-naked-babies-and-jordan_morris" class="link" target="_blank">Who Are You in Sex and the City? from Naked Babies and Jordan_Morris</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/fe1c56e87b/rob-corddry-has-a-broner-from-fod-team-and-rob-corddry?rel=player" class="link" target="_blank">Rob Corddry Has A Broner from Funny Or Die, Rob Corddry, and Brad</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://tmkk.pv.land.to/xld/index_e.html" class="link" target="_blank">X Lossless Decoder: Lossless audio decoder for Mac OS X</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://howardstern.com/" class="link" target="_blank">HowardStern.com - Official site of The Howard Stern Show</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/08/08/super-8-howard-stern/" class="link" target="_blank">Howard Stern denies 'Super 8' bootleg | Inside Movies | EW.com</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://youtube-global.blogspot.com/2010/03/broadcast-yourself.html" class="link" target="_blank">YouTube Blog: Broadcast Yourself</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.adultswim.com/presents/childrenshospital/" class="link" target="_blank">Adult Swim Presents: Childrens Hospital Season 3</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2006/11/28/productive-talk-comp" class="link" target="_blank">Productive Talk Compilation: 8-episode podcast with GTD's David Allen | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/bruceseeds" class="link" target="_blank">Bruce Seeds (bruceseeds) on Twitter [Thanks for help finding that SPY article!]</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://i-0.us/pYD8Vy" class="link" target="_blank">PDF: "Celebrity Refuseniks" - _Spy_ March 1993</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0142000280/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (9780142000281): David Allen: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://mailchimp.com/?pid=5by5&source=website" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Email Marketing and Email List Manager | MailChimp</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Website Builder - Build a Website, Create a Blog - Squarespace</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://wufoo.com/" class="link" target="_blank">[SPONSOR] Wufoo: Online Form Builder - Create Web Forms & Surveys</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://blogcritics.org/video/article/bloody-clowns-sex-and-sickness-childrens/page-3/" class="link" target="_blank">Bloody Clowns, Sex, and Sickness: Childrens Hospital Premieres on Adult Swim Sunday - Page 3 - Blogcritics Video</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0055T3RFQ/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Let It Beard: Boston Spaceships: Music</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000035GN/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Bakesale: Sebadoh: Music</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HISecnfIFU" class="link" target="_blank">Thelonious Monk - Monk's Dream - YouTube</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/buildanalyze/35" class="link" target="_blank">Build and Analyze #35: Fair and Balanced - 5by5</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://perpetua.tumblr.com/post/59017796/guided-by-voices-empties-crushed-and-fired-away" class="link" target="_blank">Fluxtumblr - Guided By Voices "Empties Crushed and Fired Away"</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/merlin/5891935669/" class="link" target="_blank">Ladies? | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.bigchampagne.com/musicrow/frame.php" class="link" target="_blank">BigChampagne - Online Media Measurement</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://vod.fx

<p>Dan and Merlin talk about kid stuff, including the threat of Hot Wheels® donation, the inevitability of skinned knees, the nefariousness of the hospital gift basket, plus an important way every Dad has to go pro.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://m.dooce.com/2011/08/03/wherein-i-go-touch-more-insane" class="link" target="_blank">Wherein I go a touch more insane | dooce®</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mike-friends-blog/30-years-ago-today" class="link" target="_blank">30 Years Ago Today: The Day the Middle Class Died | MichaelMoore.com</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://stephenlazar.com/blog/2011/08/woodcarving-what-is-your-secret/" class="link" target="_blank">Woodcarving: What is your secret? « Outside the Cave</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140233032/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Naked Consumer: How Our Private Lives Become Public Commodities (9780140233032): Erik Larson: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://mlkshk.com/p/5XCQ" class="link" target="_blank">Prepping. - mlkshk</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurosis" class="link" target="_blank">Neurosis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0316778001/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two (Revised and Updated Edition) (9780316778008): William Sears, Martha Sears, Robert Sears, James Sears: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curb_Your_Enthusiasm" class="link" target="_blank">Curb Your Enthusiasm - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0251872/" class="link" target="_blank">Bob Einstein - IMDb</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amysicecreams.com/2.0/#/home/" class="link" target="_blank">Welcome to Amy's Ice Creams</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabbos_goy" class="link" target="_blank">Shabbos goy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.smilesoftware.com/b2w" class="link" target="_blank">[Sponsor] Sponsor: Smile Software</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://smilesoftware.com/b2w/" class="link" target="_blank">TextExpander: Mac Typing Shortcut Utility Saves You Time!</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/?source=backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">[Sponsor] Build a Website - Create a Blog - Squarespace</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://wufoo.com/" class="link" target="_blank">[Sponsor] Wufoo: Online Form Builder - Create Web Forms & Surveys</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodor_Herzl" class="link" target="_blank">Theodor Herzl - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://sandwichvideo.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Sandwich Video</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breathless_(1960_film)" class="link" target="_blank">Breathless (1960 film) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hysteria" class="link" target="_blank">Hysteria - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li></ul><p>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.smilesoftware.com/5by5" title="Smile">Smile</a>, <a href="http://www.squarespace.com/?source=backtowork" title="Squarespace">Squarespace</a>, and <a href="http://wufoo.com" title="Wufoo">Wufoo</a>.</p>

<p>Merlin and Dan discuss the shameful state of film school, the realities of Ape Law, Merlin's rock opera, and the subliminal downside of Spongebob's big promotion.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://blog.mailchimp.com/we-commissioned-a-rock-opera/" class="link" target="_blank">We Commissioned A Rock Opera | MailChimp Email Marketing Blog</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://blog.squarespace.com/blog/2011/7/21/slideshows-slideshows-everywhere.html" class="link" target="_blank">Slideshows, Slideshows Everywhere - Blog - The Official Squarespace Blog</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://wufoo.com/docs/notifications/" class="link" target="_blank">Wufoo Docs · Notification Settings</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://mailchimp.com/sometimes-theres-a-man/" class="link" target="_blank">Sometimes There's A Man</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/3074281879/plica-plica" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - Get that "Plica Plica" song</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Joan_Rivers_A_Piece_of_Work/70129356?trkid=2361637" class="link" target="_blank">Netflix: Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://wufoo.com/2011/07/28/using-wufoo-for-project-inquiry-forms/" class="link" target="_blank">Wufoo Blog · Using Wufoo for Project Inquiry Forms</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://alexandertechnique.mymobilebuilder.com/" class="link" target="_blank">AlexanderTechnique.com</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_technique" class="link" target="_blank">Alexander technique - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://colinmarshall.libsyn.com/we-have-ham-radios-merlin-mann-on-media-fear-and-caring-about-what-you-make" class="link" target="_blank">The Marketplace of Ideas</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ham_the_Chimp" class="link" target="_blank">Ham the Chimp - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=ham+chimp&hl=en&safe=off&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=sXA4TtaHIYXUiAKo8_DcDg&ved=0CCUQsAQ&biw=1352&bih=779" class="link" target="_blank">ham chimp - Google Search</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/hotdogsladies/status/82849058477178880" class="link" target="_blank">Twitter / @hotdogsladies: Show of hands: Who wants ...</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://ccmixter.org/" class="link" target="_blank">ccMixter - Welcome to ccMixter</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/?source=backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">Build a Website - Create a Blog - Squarespace</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMC_Javelin" class="link" target="_blank">AMC Javelin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2011/06/subconscious-information-processing.html" class="link" target="_blank">A VC: Subconscious Information Processing</a><br /></li></ul><p>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.getflow.com/" title="Flow">Flow</a>, <a href="http://www.squarespace.com/?source=backtowork" title="Squarespace">Squarespace</a>, and <a href="http://wufoo.com" title="Wufoo">Wufoo</a>.</p>

<p>This week Wutang Dan and The MZA bring the ruckus to finding a job, selling your Mustang, and putting your house on the market: remember that you can't negotiate with reality, Merlin can't do anything to make you love him, enthusiasm is irreplaceable, and you've got to find your position of strength. Protect ya neck!</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2010/11/04/suddenly-last-sandwich" class="link" target="_blank">A Sandwich, A Wallet, and Elizabeth Taylor's Cousin | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.getflow.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Flow: Task Management and Online Collaboration for Teams</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://wufoo.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Wufoo: Online Form Builder - Create Web Forms & Surveys</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/?source=backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">Build a Website - Create a Blog - Squarespace</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=pony+interior&hl=en&prmd=ivnsfd&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=YjkzTobuJ-fjiALE2IDECA&ved=0CCQQsAQ&biw=1368&bih=1216" class="link" target="_blank">pony interior - Google Search</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Mustang#First_generation_.2819641.2F2.E2.80.931973.29" class="link" target="_blank">Ford Mustang - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kat_Von_D" class="link" target="_blank">Kat Von D - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/158008270X/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: What Color Is Your Parachute? 2011: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers (9781580082709): Richard N. Bolles: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/b2w/24" class="link" target="_blank">Back to Work #24: The Daddy for your Destiny - 5by5</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/b2w/23" class="link" target="_blank">Back to Work #23: Failure is ALWAYS an Option - 5by5</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://colinmarshall.libsyn.com/we-have-ham-radios-merlin-mann-on-media-fear-and-caring-about-what-you-make" class="link" target="_blank">The Marketplace of Ideas</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sin-eater" class="link" target="_blank">Sin-eater - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folk_devil" class="link" target="_blank">Folk devil - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li></ul><p>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.getflow.com/" title="Flow">Flow</a>, <a href="http://www.squarespace.com/?source=backtowork" title="Squarespace">Squarespace</a>, and <a href="http://wufoo.com" title="Wufoo">Wufoo</a>.</p>

<p>Dan and Merlin talk about nerds getting problems and about using Markdown in BBEdit, Textmate or any text app because you need to find tools that remove friction, not distractions.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://blog.agilebits.com/2011/07/os-x-lion-and-the-state-of-the-new-1password-extension/" class="link" target="_blank">OS X Lion and the state of the new 1Password extension (Updated) | Agile Blog</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://daringfireball.net/projects/markdown/" class="link" target="_blank">Daring Fireball: Markdown</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://fletcherpenney.net/multimarkdown/" class="link" target="_blank">MultiMarkdown</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.leancrew.com/all-this/" class="link" target="_blank">And now it’s all this (Blog of "Dr Drang")</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://brettterpstra.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Welcome to BrettTerpstra.com, home of Brett Terpstra and his nerdery</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macromedia_HomeSite" class="link" target="_blank">Macromedia HomeSite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celiac_disease" class="link" target="_blank">Coeliac disease - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/buildanalyze/34" class="link" target="_blank">Build and Analyze #34: My Best Dan Benjamin Impression - 5by5</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://macromates.com/" class="link" target="_blank">TextMate — The Missing Editor for Mac OS X</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.barebones.com/products/bbedit/bbedit10.html" class="link" target="_blank">Bare Bones Software | BBEdit 10 is here!</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posting_style" class="link" target="_blank">Posting style - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.leancrew.com/all-this/2011/07/text-files-and-me-iv-bbedit-and-textmate/" class="link" target="_blank">Text files and me IV - BBEdit and TextMate - All this</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://brettterpstra.com/projects/" class="link" target="_blank">Projects - Brett Terpstra</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://brettterpstra.com/project/nvalt/" class="link" target="_blank">nvALT 2.0 - Notational Velocity Fork</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://bundle.weblogzinc.com/docs/index.php" class="link" target="_blank">Blogsmith Blogging Bundle for Textmate</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://brettterpstra.com/project/markdown-service-tools/" class="link" target="_blank">Markdown Service Tools - Brett Terpstra</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.sodastreamusa.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Sodastream | Turn Water Into Fresh Sparkling Water And Soda</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://manual.macromates.com/en/bundles" class="link" target="_blank">TextMate Manual » Bundles</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://bywordapp.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Byword • A Simple Text Editor for Mac</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://cl.ly/1J120M3k2m3w3F0I1a01" class="link" target="_blank">Untitled-1.jpg</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://blog.macromates.com/2005/introduction-to-scopes/" class="link" target="_blank">TextMate Blog » Introduction to scopes</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://bywordapp.com/markdown/guide.html" class="link" target="_blank">Byword MultiMarkdown Guide</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.practicallyefficient.com/2011/07/21/word-internet/" class="link" target="_blank">Think of Microsoft Word as the internet</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0777432/" class="link" target="_blank">Scott Schwartz - IMDb</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://macpowerusers.com/2011/03/mpu-046-workflows-with-merlin-mann-ii/" class="link" target="_blank">MPU 046: Workflows with Merlin Mann II « Mac Power Users</a><br /></li></ul><p>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omniplan/" title="OmniPlan 2">OmniPlan 2</a> and <a href="http://www.getharvest.com/5by5" title="Harvest">Harvest</a>.</p>

<p>Dan's in a closet, but Merlin has a lot of FU from the last show: good jobs don't get posted on Craigslist and while you may not know what's gonna happen next, you're not just gonna install Xcode and retire on your angry bird so either do your research, get mercantile and take the leap of faith or you'll be polishing your golden handcuffs.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.macsparky.com/blog/2011/7/12/juggling.html" class="link" target="_blank">MacSparky - Blog - Juggling</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satisficing" class="link" target="_blank">Satisficing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principle_of_good_enough" class="link" target="_blank">Principle of good enough - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rational_ignorance" class="link" target="_blank">Rational ignorance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhOG25fM8so" class="link" target="_blank">YouTube - "Preparing for John Siracusa's Review of OS X Lion"</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/karlvanhoet" class="link" target="_blank">Karl Van Hœt (karlvanhoet) on Twitter</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/7537932744/hi-im-12-how-am-i-even-allowed-to-go-to" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - Hi. I’m 12. How am I even allowed to go to...</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/3074281879/plica-plica" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - "Plica Pilca" (Back to Work Theme Song)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://blog.pinboard.in/2011/03/anatomy_of_a_crushing/" class="link" target="_blank">Anatomy of a Crushing (Pinboard Blog)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://pinboard.in/" class="link" target="_blank">Pinboard: social bookmarking for introverts</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/b2w/23" class="link" target="_blank">Back to Work #23: Failure is ALWAYS an Option - 5by5</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.scifihifi.com/podworks/" class="link" target="_blank">Sci-Fi Hi-Fi: PodWorks</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/afterdark/34" class="link" target="_blank">After Dark #34: After Back To Work 024 - 5by5</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0789723107/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Don't Make Me Think! A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability (0029236723101): Steve Krug, Roger Black: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cybernetics" class="link" target="_blank">Cybernetics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1568303823/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Secrets of Successful Web Sites (0752059038236): David Siegel: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1568304331/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Creating Killer Web Sites (2nd Edition) (0752059043315): David Siegel: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/7586895324/my-business-papers" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - “My Business Papers” Dan’s cover letter. The...</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/francescabuchko/5891335614/in/photosof-merlin/" class="link" target="_blank">backtowork_final | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/7615584145/the-wand" class="link" target="_blank">The Wand of Brooklyn [Thanks, chainmailformanatees]</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clutch_(eggs)" class="link" target="_blank">Clutch (eggs) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_plural" class="link" target="_blank">Collective noun - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_collective_nouns_for_birds" class="link" target="_blank">List of collective nouns for birds - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://pileofturtles.com/2011/07/showbot/" class="link" target="_blank">Showbot | Turtle

<p>This week, Dan and Merlin determine that even the Chico Marx of notebooks is the right one if you're writing in it, failure is ALWAYS an option: fully committing didn't do Pickett any good, but you should commit to narrowing scope and deciding what success is. Why? Fact or Fiction: You can start a business on the side.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/7251688767/true-dat" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - Robb Wolff on "Perfection"</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.lettersofnote.com/2011/07/persist.html?m=1" class="link" target="_blank">Letters of Note: PERSIST</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://qpradio.org/post/75687764/14-second" class="link" target="_blank">QPR: Jim Fairness and the 14-Second Work Year</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://qpradio.org/post/4473144685/anton-cantrusku" class="link" target="_blank">QPR: Commentary by Anton Cantrusku</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickett's_Charge" class="link" target="_blank">Pickett's Charge - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Porkins" class="link" target="_blank">Jek Tono Porkins - Wookieepedia, the Star Wars Wiki</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Wedge" class="link" target="_blank">Wedge Antilles - Wookieepedia, the Star Wars Wiki</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://blog.agilebits.com/2011/06/toward-better-master-passwords/" class="link" target="_blank">Toward Better Master Passwords | Agile Blog </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">B2W Squarespace Signup (coupon code: "backtowork7") </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://agilebits.com/products/1Password" class="link" target="_blank">AgileBits: 1Password </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/2801827778/picketts-charge" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - Need a fast primer on storytelling? The Civil...</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.pbs.org/civilwar/classroom/episode5.html" class="link" target="_blank">The Civil War . In the Classroom . Using the Series . Episode Five | PBS</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/6312696182/disjointed" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - “Disjointed” A View to a Kill: Just giving up.</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?ProgrammersNotebook" class="link" target="_blank">Programmers Notebook</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/hypercritical/23" class="link" target="_blank">Hypercritical #23: No Sentence Left Behind - 5by5</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.thewho.net/whotabs/gear/guitar/schecter.html" class="link" target="_blank">Schecter/Giffin 'Telecaster'-style Guitars | Pete Townshend’s Guitar Gear | Whotabs</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.voxshowroom.com/northcoast/rickenbacker/66012/index.html" class="link" target="_blank">North Coast Music: Rickenbacker 660/12</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.google.com/m/search?site=images&source=mog&hl=en&gl=us&client=safari&q=damn%20the%20torpedoes%20tom%20petty&sa=N" class="link" target="_blank">damn the torpedoes tom petty - Google Search</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m3eJxZEai0" class="link" target="_blank">YouTube - M&Ms Commercial - "Thank you Easter Bunny, Bawk Bawk!"</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigermilk" class="link" target="_blank">Tigermilk - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://jimmymarks.tumblr.com/post/6877905287/leaked-dan-benjamins-new-show-on-the-5by5" class="link" target="_blank">Leaked! Dan's new show, "Go Ahead, Caller!"</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-pattern" class="link" target="_blank">Anti-pattern - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Ken-Burns-The-Civil-War/60030478" class="link" target="_blank">Netflix - Watch Ken Burns: The Civil War</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://i-0.us/oSwxjJ" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - Ne

<p>This week, Merlin and Dan share their Pick: <i>The Macintosh Computer</i>.</p> <p>Also, a 17-minute experimental startup sound, catching conflicts, shivving the stagecoach, machine-gunning with SoundMaster, the dangers of ResEdit, and the future of recumbent bike baskets. But not Charcoal. Are you KIDDING me?</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.peterme.com/2007/08/27/thoughts-on-and-pics-of-the-original-macintosh-user-manual/" class="link" target="_blank">Thoughts on (and pics of) the original Macintosh User Manual : peterme.com</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://agilebits.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Welcome to AgileBits</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://blog.agilebits.com/2011/06/toward-better-master-passwords/" class="link" target="_blank">Toward Better Master Passwords | Agile Blog</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">B2W Squarespace Signup (coupon code: "backtowork6")</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_bar_party" class="link" target="_blank">(NSFW) Mars bar party - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://vimeo.com/21742166?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+argoroots+(Argo)" class="link" target="_blank">Webstock '11: John Gruber - The Gap Theory of UI Design on Vimeo</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.simongrant.org/web/eco.html" class="link" target="_blank">Umberto Eco's piece on Mac and DOS, Catholic and Protestant</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://musicthing.blogspot.com/2005/05/tiny-music-makers-pt-2-microsoft-sound.html" class="link" target="_blank">Music Thing: TINY MUSIC MAKERS: Pt 2: The Microsoft Sound</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.the1920snetwork.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Welcome to The 1920's Radio Networks</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.britishsixtiesradio.com/" class="link" target="_blank">British Sixties Radio: Your Time Machine to Swinging London! - Live on the Internet</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://daringfireball.net/2011/06/its_all_software" class="link" target="_blank">Daring Fireball: It's All Software</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://thisismynext.com/2011/06/13/icloud-apple-strategy-flaw/" class="link" target="_blank">iCloud and Apple’s truth: can you win if you don’t play? | This is my next...</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ResEdit" class="link" target="_blank">ResEdit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.folklore.org/ProjectView.py?name=Macintosh&topic=Software+Design&sortOrder=Sort+by+Rating&detail=Show+Titles+and+Info" class="link" target="_blank">Folklore.org: Macintosh Stories </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=system+6&hl=en&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=CmAKTvWXHYa6sAPkz_SKDw&ved=0CE0QsAQ&biw=1469&bih=1168#hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=macintosh+system+6&oq=macintosh+system+6&aq=f&aqi=&aql=undefined&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=2456l347" class="link" target="_blank">macintosh system 6 - Google Search </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambient_1:_Music_for_Airports" class="link" target="_blank">Ambient 1: Music for Airports - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://daringfireball.net/linked/2011/06/21/wp7-gartenberg" class="link" target="_blank">Daring Fireball Linked List: Windows Phone 7 on the Carriers' Pay-No-Mind List?</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appearance_Manager" class="link" target="_blank">Appearance Manager - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://originaltrilogy.com/fan-edits/fan-project-details.cfm/Fan-Edits/title/Star-Wars-Episode-IV-A-New-Hope-Revisited-NTSC/project/265/category/4/" class="link" target="_blank">Fanedits.com Fan Edits - Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope "Revisited" [NTSC] (Adywan) - fanedits.com</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9kPIp4MtX0" class="link" target="_blank">YouTube - Music For Airports</a><br /></li><li><a href="

<p>Merlin and Dan talk about the problem of permanent zeroes, desiring not to desire, why "hypocrisy" is killing you, stepping back on the path without apologizing, Merlin's new tattoo, and—yeah—going a little easier on yourself.</p> <p>Also, how almost everything is like a glass of water and John Siracusa is literally and uniquely Squidward. </p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.heraclitusfragments.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Heraclitus - The Fragments</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schadenfreude" class="link" target="_blank">Schadenfreude - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0306414/" class="link" target="_blank">The Wire (TV Series 2002–2008) - IMDb</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Sarlacc" class="link" target="_blank">Sarlacc - Wookieepedia, the Star Wars Wiki</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://brighteryellow.tumblr.com/post/5176897110/velocity-of-disappointment-back-to-work-14" class="link" target="_blank">the size of tiny changes in the heart</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/5503657139/get-with-it" class="link" target="_blank">[audio] Alan Watts: “Yet, here we are.”…"You are a wave of the stream itself. So, get with it!" - kung fu grippe</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/6664989735/watts-riot" class="link" target="_blank">[audio] Introduction to Buddhism by Alan Watts </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://madphilosopher.ca/doc/philosophies_of_asia.html#buddhism" class="link" target="_blank">The Philosophies of Asia--Alan Watts (Introduction to Buddhism) </a><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/04/21/135508305/the-sad-beautiful-fact-that-were-all-going-to-miss-almost-everything?sc=tw&cc=share" class="link" target="_blank">The Sad, Beautiful Fact That We're All Going To Miss Almost Everything : Monkey See : NPR</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.22.0.than.html" class="link" target="_blank">Maha-satipatthana Sutta: The Great Frames of Reference</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/thanissaro/agendas.html" class="link" target="_blank">The Agendas of Mindfulness</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn51/sn51.015.than.html" class="link" target="_blank">Brahmana Sutta: To Unnabha the Brahman</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://diydharma.org/right-now-thanissaro-bhikkhu" class="link" target="_blank">Right Now by Thanissaro Bhikkhu | D.I.Y. Dharma</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.lessons4living.com/wmaz_week204.htm" class="link" target="_blank">The 84th Problem</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2006/04/07/mindfulness" class="link" target="_blank">Mindfulness: The practice of being "here" | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2006/03/20/lifehacked" class="link" target="_blank">Lifehacked by Matt Haughey; mindfulness, ho | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://mlkshk.com/p/3POX" class="link" target="_blank">Sometimes There's a Man - mlkshk</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/decisionmaker-pro/id349646587?mt=8&partnerId=30&siteID=GfpxbBXXpXE-y3gfJGyOQcSr2tOpkzD12A" class="link" target="_blank">Decision Maker Pro</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Untranslatability" class="link" target="_blank">Untranslatability - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.squarespace.com/backtowork" class="link" target="_blank">B2W Squarespace Signup (coupon code: "backtowork6")</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/hotdogsladies/statuses/1484846827" class="link" target="_blank">"Adulthood ultimately means becoming a hypocrite on your own terms."</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/hotdogsladies/status/24958023646580736" class="link" target="_blank">"People who regard honesty & hypocrisy as incompatible strike me as either dishonest, hypocritical, or both. Is that hypocritical? You bet."</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugripp

<p>Merlin and Dan talk about getting started, putting on your shoes instead of shopping for pedometers, false dilemmas, doing as much work with your hands as you've done in your head, why you should leave some water in the pump, meta-fiddling, and getting better.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="https://mlkshk.com/p/399R" class="link" target="_blank">Yeah, THIS just happened. Breville. 1800 watts. Toast. BOOM!Photo courtesy of @e_shirt - mlkshk</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00357YS3A/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Breville BOV650XL Compact 4-Slice Smart Oven with Element IQ: Kitchen & Dining</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/hypercritical/21" class="link" target="_blank">Hypercritical #21: Reading Playboy for the Articles - 5by5</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.maximumfun.org/sound-young-america/maxfuncon-merlin-mann-doing-creative-work-sound-young-america" class="link" target="_blank">MaxFunCon: Merlin Mann on Doing Creative Work; The Sound of Young America</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/merlin/3639634546/" class="link" target="_blank">“Outline” - MaxFunCon Talk | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Wampa" class="link" target="_blank">Wampa - Wookieepedia, the Star Wars Wiki</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/080504891X/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day: A Guide to Starting, Revising, and Finishing Your Doctoral Thesis (9780805048919): Joan Bolker: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0684854295/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Ernest Hemingway on Writing (9780684854298): Larry W. Phillips: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2008/12/01/courageous-sucking" class="link" target="_blank">Photography, and the Tolerance for Courageous Sucking | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0786880708/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life (9780786880706): Jon Kabat-Zinn: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nwwKbM_vJc" class="link" target="_blank">YouTube - Mindfulness with Jon Kabat-Zinn</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=January+18%2C+2011" class="link" target="_blank">January 18, 2011 - Wolfram|Alpha</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2009/08/04/enough" class="link" target="_blank">Fake Rocks, Salami Commanders, and Just Enough to Start | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/6523716751/um" class="link" target="_blank">Um. Feel the magic first-hand: Episode... - kung fu grippe</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.onthemedia.org/splash/" class="link" target="_blank">On The Media</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73iheHjvJ3w" class="link" target="_blank">YouTube - HAPPY DAYS - Richie Almost Dies</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisglass" class="link" target="_blank">Flickr: chrisglass' Photostream</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://chrisglass.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Chris Glass</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00009XVCZ/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://parislemon.com/" class="link" target="_blank">parislemon.</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI23U7U2aUY" class="link" target="_blank">YouTube - Ira Glass on Storytelling, part 3 of 4</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://nprfreshair.tumblr.com/post/4931415362/nobody-tells-this-to-people-who-are-beginners-i" class="link" target="_blank">NPR Fresh Air</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://wiki.5by5.tv/wiki/Back_to_Work" class="link" target="_blank">Back to Work - 5by5Wiki</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/back-to-work/id415535037?partnerId=30&siteID=GfpxbBXXpXE-y3gfJGyOQcSr2tOpkzD12A" class=

<p>Merlin and Dan talk about mindful tool adoption, screwdriver museums, why Vi users may (or may not) be cannibalistic insects—plus debate on whether a home video of a toy horse falling down in someone's bathroom is about Humanity. Also, Dan effs with Merlin's head. Again.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://vimeo.com/24654366" class="link" target="_blank">Maladroite Cheval. on Vimeo</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://vimeo.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Vimeo</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://tumultco.com/hype/" class="link" target="_blank">Tumult Hype</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By9d_0wBvLM&feature=related" class="link" target="_blank">YouTube - David Lynch - Funny Moments</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://vimeo.com/1063136" class="link" target="_blank">How and where not to do The Fishstick on Vimeo</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.skytag.com/filebuddy/index.html" class="link" target="_blank">The most popular file utility for the Macintosh</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://fetchsoftworks.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Fetch Softworks</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://macromates.com/" class="link" target="_blank">TextMate — The Missing Editor for Mac OS X</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://dropbox.com" class="link" target="_blank">Dropbox</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.secondgearsoftware.com/elements/" class="link" target="_blank">Elements — Dropbox powered text editor for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch from Second Gear</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://notesy-app.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Notesy</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://nebulousapps.net/notes.html" class="link" target="_blank">Nebulous Notes</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vi" class="link" target="_blank">vi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/1169153343/only-you" class="link" target="_blank">Introducing "?—": A Distraction-Free Writing Environment - kung fu grippe</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://bbedit.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Bare Bones Software | Welcome</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://chipotle.tumblr.com/post/5207966724/text-editor-intervention" class="link" target="_blank">Coyote Tracks - Text Editor Intervention</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.sublimetext.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Sublime Text: The text editor you'll fall in love with</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://flyingmeat.com/acorn/" class="link" target="_blank">Acorn, a great Mac image editor, built for humans.</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.pixelmator.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Pixelmator</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://tapbots.com/software/tweetbot/" class="link" target="_blank">Tweetbot — Tapbots</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.goodreader.net/goodreader.html" class="link" target="_blank">goodiware.com :: products :: GoodReader</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.panic.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Panic - Shockingly Good Mac Software.</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.omnigroup.com/" class="link" target="_blank">The Omni Group</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://bywordapp.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Byword • A Simple Text Editor for Mac</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.iawriter.com/" class="link" target="_blank">iA Writer</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/contacts-cleaner/id411369012?mt=12&partnerId=30&siteID=GfpxbBXXpXE-y3gfJGyOQcSr2tOpkzD12A" class="link" target="_blank">Contacts Cleaner on the Mac App Store</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://wateree.net/syncman/" class="link" target="_blank">Syncman | Synchronize Address Book with Gmail</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://mailplaneapp.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Mailplane - the best way to use Gmail on the Mac</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://sparrowmailapp.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Sparrow — The new mail for Mac</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.busymac.com/" class="link" target="_blank">BusyCal - Sync calendars

<p>Merlin and Dan talk about educating "That's Just a Button Guy," practicing more humane pushback, asking better questions, why laundromats don't accept "focus," plus what happens when you put WAY too much crap in your five-pound bag.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0861713214/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Mindfulness in Plain English</a><br /></li></ul><p>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.istockphoto.com/5by5" title="iStockphoto">iStockphoto</a> and <a href="http://www.mailchimp.com/?pid=5by5&source=website" title="MailChimp">MailChimp</a>.</p>

<p>Merlin Mann and Dan Benjamin talk about checking email under the table to catch up on your 27 high priority tasks, a good time to use the word priority, blowing cycles on meeting with Narnia's stakeholders, and getting tasks out of your dreamcatcher.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://chainmailformanatees.tumblr.com/post/5781339069/too-close-to-the-metal-wallpapers-im-flattered" class="link" target="_blank">BONUS AWESOME: Too Close to the Metal Wallpapers (Chainmail for Manatees)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2009/04/28/priorities" class="link" target="_blank">ESSAY: Mud Rooms, Red Letters, and Real Priorities | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/node/47671/322109" class="link" target="_blank">ESSAY: GTD: Priorities don't exist in a vacuum | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2010/02/05/first-care" class="link" target="_blank">ESSAY: First, care. | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seven_Habits_of_Highly_Effective_People" class="link" target="_blank">WIKI: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (Importance vs. Urgency)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Lakein" class="link" target="_blank">WIKI: Alan Lakein (Lakein's question: "What is the best use of my time right now?")</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=iykLVJAK49kC&pg=PT162&lpg=PT162&dq=Four-Criteria+Model+for+Choosing+Actions+in+the+Moment&source=bl&ots=0xN_OlL9Gh&sig=wyc87EgLAIhoa1tRqcoJYzQdFw8&hl=en&ei=K97dTZTaEa_XiALXivnpCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=" class="link" target="_blank">CONCEPT: GTD & "The Four-Criteria Model for Choosing Actions in the Moment" - Google Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0006NAMUO/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">ROCKET: Estes 1948 Big Bertha Flying Model Rocket Kit (Amazon.com)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_and_motion_study" class="link" target="_blank">CONCEPT: Time and motion study - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheaper_by_the_dozen" class="link" target="_blank">WEBB: Cheaper by the Dozen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://graphicr.pl/baconray/" class="link" target="_blank">SONG: Bacon Ray - Sundays In A Row</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://icetothebrim.com/2011/cut-the-bullshit-do-the-hard-work-on-your-desktop/#comment-2257" class="link" target="_blank">BONUS AWESOME: Cut the bullshit, do the hard work, on your desktop — Ice To The Brim</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=covey+quadrants&hl=en&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=9ObeTbyKDcffiAKp19znCg&ved=0CBsQsAQ&biw=1747&bih=1317" class="link" target="_blank">CHART: covey quadrants - Google Search</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.estesrockets.com/rockets/kits/skill-1/001948-big-berthar" class="link" target="_blank">ROCKET: 001948 - Big Bertha™ - Skill 1 - Kits By Skill Level - Rockets</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmxcmpR1GQA" class="link" target="_blank">VIDEO: Caddyshack: Playing Through ("Over on Briar")</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://eliotswasteland.tripod.com/" class="link" target="_blank">POEM: "The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot as hypertext </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0156948702/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">BOOK: The Waste Land: A Facsimile and Transcript of the Original Drafts Including the Annotations of Ezra Pound </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0142000280/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">BOOK: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (Amazon)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2004/09/08/getting-started-with-getting-things-done" class="link" target="_blank">HOWTO: Getting started with "Getting Things Done" | 43 Folders </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2005/09/12/building-a-smarter-to-do-l

<p>Merlin Mann and Dan Benjamin aren't afraid of lawyers, dentists, negative feelings, or of not being afraid of something.</p> <p>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.rackspace.com/5by5" title="Rackspace">Rackspace</a> and <a href="http://www.shopify.com/?utm_source=5by5&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=broad" title="Shopify">Shopify</a>.</p>

<p>Merlin Mann and Dan Benjamin are here to discuss the awareness of fear, asking yourself why, and knowing the problem instead of chasing fake confidence, patches, and hacks.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hetty_Green" class="link" target="_blank">Hetty Green - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_eightfold_path" class="link" target="_blank">Noble Eightfold Path - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulness_(Buddhism)" class="link" target="_blank">Mindfulness - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://audiodharma.org/teacher/1/" class="link" target="_blank">Audio Dharma - Gil Fronsdal's Dharma Talks</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0861713214/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Mindfulness in Plain English: Revised and Expanded Edition (9780861713219): Bhante Henepola Gunaratana: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma4/mpe.html" class="link" target="_blank">Mindfulness In Plain English</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUrzicaiRLU" class="link" target="_blank">Abba - "Knowing Me, Knowing You"</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/5375334991/then-when" class="link" target="_blank">MP3: Sometimes There’s a Man - Part II "Then, When?" - kung fu grippe </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://symonsez.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/green.gif" class="link" target="_blank">Canonical Photo of Hetty Green</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0307741206/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Alan Watts - "The Wisdom of Insecurity: A Message for an Age of Anxiety" </a><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYMQMc3eB5s" class="link" target="_blank">YouTube - Joni Mitchell - "Talk To Me" </a><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5782PQO5is" class="link" target="_blank">YouTube - Joni Mitchell - "Blue"</a><br /></li></ul><p>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.freshbooks.com?ref=1014" title="FreshBooks">FreshBooks</a> and <a href="http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omnifocus/" title="OmniGroup: OmniFocus">OmniGroup: OmniFocus</a>.</p>

<p>Merlin Mann joins Dan Benjamin to talk about problems that are impossible, problems that are boring, problems that you're scared of, and why you need to differentiate between fear and anxiety so you can be scared of something interesting.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://s4.thisnext.com/media/largest_dimension/5C6017AB.jpg" class="link" target="_blank">5C6017AB.jpg 277×277 pixels</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=Princess+Ardala&hl=en&safe=off&rls=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=qVLATeGuFJC3tge__ZTcBA&biw=1164&bih=668" class="link" target="_blank">Princess Ardala - Google Search</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://yourmonkeycalled.com/post/5140182102/do-i-love-terry-gross-yes-of-course-i-do-come" class="link" target="_blank">Do I love Terry Gross? - your monkey called</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.io.com/unigames/jeffdee.html" class="link" target="_blank">Jeff Dee's Home Page</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deities_%26_Demigods" class="link" target="_blank">Deities & Demigods - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expedition_to_the_Barrier_Peaks" class="link" target="_blank">Expedition to the Barrier Peaks - [Merlin's favorite AD&D module]</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/afterdark/20" class="link" target="_blank">After Dark #20: After Back To Work 014 - 5by5 </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/5201422193/ubi-sunt" class="link" target="_blank">Sometimes There’s a Man (Part I) MP3 Download ... - kung fu grippe </a><br /></li></ul><p>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.webtrends.com/products/analytics?source=Display&details=60022&WT.mc_id=A105by5Leaderboards_60022" title="Webtrends">Webtrends</a> and <a href="http://www.mailchimp.com/?pid=5by5&source=website" title="MailChimp">MailChimp</a>.</p>

<p>Dan and Merlin talk about "Cranking" - Merlin's latest post at 43folders.com.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2011/04/22/cranking" class="link" target="_blank">Cranking | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.pork.co.nz/AboutPork/100NZBacon.aspx" class="link" target="_blank">100% New Zealand Bacon</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Bruce-Springsteen-Born-to-Run-30th-Anniversary-Edition-Wings-for-Wheels-The-Making-of-Born-to-Run/70042528#height2076" class="link" target="_blank">Netflix: Bruce Springsteen: Born to Run: 30th Anniversary Edition: Wings for Wheels: The Making of Born to Run</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Cyrano_de_Bergerac/60011695?trkid=2361637#height1757" class="link" target="_blank">Netflix: Cyrano de Bergerac</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.poynter.org/author/chipscan/" class="link" target="_blank">» Chip Scanlan | Poynter.</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://clicks.robertgenn.com/male-answer.php" class="link" target="_blank">Male Answer Syndrome</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Louis-C.K.-Chewed-Up/70108425" class="link" target="_blank">Netflix - Watch Louis C.K.: Chewed Up </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0393309339/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: The Triggering Town: Lectures and Essays on Poetry and Writing - Richard Hugo</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.videohippy.com/video/50101/Springsteen--Thunder-Road" class="link" target="_blank">Bruce Springsteen - "Thunder Road" - London, 1975</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyCEqpMupIc" class="link" target="_blank">YouTube: Cyrano de Bergerac Theatre Scene</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.veen.com/jeff/archives/000328.html" class="link" target="_blank">The Poetry of Project Management, by Jeffrey Veen </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/5006655583/special-test" class="link" target="_blank">"May I mambo dogface to the banana patch?" - kung fu grippe </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/afterdark/18" class="link" target="_blank">After Dark #18: After Back To Work 013 - 5by5 </a><br /></li></ul><p>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.campaignmonitor.com/worldview/" title="Worldview">Worldview</a> and <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/app/intuit-blog/id421430913?mt=8?cid=soc_5by5_itunes " title="Intuit">Intuit</a>.</p>

<p>Merlin Mann has some "followup" before he and Dan Benjamin discuss entrusting your agency to others, how to reclaim it, and picking the right balance between expertise and challenge instead of fixing your metadata.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theasc.com/ac_magazine/May2008/PostFocus/page1.php" class="link" target="_blank">The ASC -- American Cinematographer: Post Focus:</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.themerlinshow.com/ep/002-interview-jonathan-coulton" class="link" target="_blank">002: Interview: Jonathan Coulton | The Merlin Show</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.merlinmann.com/phoneguy/2006/10/12/dont-run-dos.html" class="link" target="_blank">Don't Run DOS - 30 Seconds with Phone Guy - Merlin Mann</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.merlinmann.com/phoneguy/2006/10/22/kinda-my-idea.html" class="link" target="_blank">Kinda My Idea - 30 Seconds with Phone Guy - Merlin Mann</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://cl.ly/3i2d0a122E3F1c1o3J1w" class="link" target="_blank">_Inbox Zero_ cover - Merlin's Mockup </a><br /></li><li><a href="https://swrevisited.wordpress.com/anhr-change-list/" class="link" target="_blank">ANH:R Change List | Star Wars Revisited News</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://cl.ly/46241N23352i2G363h47" class="link" target="_blank">Csikszentmihalyi: Challenge vs Skill.jpeg</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://lifeofthebeatles.blogspot.com/2008/07/purple-chick-discography.html" class="link" target="_blank">In The Life Of...The Beatles: Purple Chick Discography</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/4758745387/chewies-medal" class="link" target="_blank">kung fu grippe - RE: Chewie's Medal</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mihaly_Csikszentmihalyi" class="link" target="_blank">WIKIP: Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (That "Flow" Guy)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2011/01/21/meet-hotrod" class="link" target="_blank">Video: John Roderick on String Art Owls, Copper Pipe, and Bono's Boss | 43 Folders </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/4767165831/where-the-fuck-do-i-begin" class="link" target="_blank">Of Sawdust and Mistakes - kung fu grippe </a><br /></li></ul><p>Sponsored by <a href="http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/13001-83639-38901-10" title="Audible">Audible</a> and <a href="http://www.mailchimp.com/?pid=5by5&source=website" title="MailChimp">MailChimp</a>.</p>

<p>Merlin Mann joins Dan Benjamin to talk about futureproofing your passion by finding your obsession and voice, putting away your buggy whip and evolving, spreading your chips out across safe and risky investments, and taking smarter chances.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/pipeline/49" class="link" target="_blank">The Pipeline #49: Philip Elmer-DeWitt - 5by5</a><br /></li></ul><p>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.shopify.com/?utm_source=5by5&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=broad" title="Shopify">Shopify</a> and <a href="http://bs.serving-sys.com/BurstingPipe/adServer.bs?cn=tf&c=20&mc=click&pli=2248483&PluID=0&ord=[timestamp]" title="King of the Apps">King of the Apps</a>.</p>

<p>Dan and Merlin try to remove the airquotes from "inspiration" by talking about what it's great for (shipping better and more interesting stuff), what it's terrible for (getting started). Also covered: Dan's Old Testament name(s), part of Merlin's body that was once believed to be inspired by air, the problem with Some Hot Chick Typing in Her Underwear, TKTKTK writing tips, plus Batgirl. <em>Always</em> with the Batgirl.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://musicthing.blogspot.com/2007/06/practice-in-front-of-bush-captain.html" class="link" target="_blank">Music Thing: Practice in front of a bush: Captain Beefheart's rules for guitarists</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://thedali.org/" class="link" target="_blank">Salvador Dali Museum (thedali.org) / The official site of the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, featuring a comprehensive collection of works by Salvador Dali.</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://750words.com/" class="link" target="_blank">750 Words</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.rescuetime.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Time Management, Productivity, & Project Tracking Software (Mac/PC) | RescueTime</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.lettersofnote.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Letters of Note</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.maximumfun.org/sound-young-america/maxfuncon-merlin-mann-doing-creative-work-sound-young-america" class="link" target="_blank">TSoYA: "With All Due Respect to the Seduction Community…" (Merlin Mann on Doing Creative Work)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/3GMZQOUWPO8X0" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: MERLIN D MANN: Wishlist</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://not-a-freak.deviantart.com/favourites/?offset=288#/d1fucoo" class="link" target="_blank">Writer's Block 1 by =Scherbius</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2005/09/08/kick-procrastinations-ass-run-a-dash" class="link" target="_blank">Kick procrastination's ass: Run a dash | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2005/10/11/procrastination-hack-1025" class="link" target="_blank">Procrastination hack: '(10+2)*5' | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At_Last_the_1948_Show" class="link" target="_blank">At Last the 1948 Show - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2004/11/18/hack-your-way-out-of-writers-block" class="link" target="_blank">Hack your way out of writer's block | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/topics/fresh-starts-modest-changes" class="link" target="_blank">Fresh Starts & Modest Changes | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://macpowerusers.com/2011/03/mpu-046-workflows-with-merlin-mann-ii/" class="link" target="_blank">MPU 046: Workflows with Merlin Mann II « Mac Power Users</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.webstock.org.nz/talks/speakers/merlin-mann/scared-shitless-how-i-mostly-learned-love-being-af/" class="link" target="_blank">Webstock 2011 - Merlin Mann -" Scared Shitless: How I (Mostly) Learned to Love Being Afraid of Pretty Much Everything" [Merlin cries like a hobo pussy. Happy now?]</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2010/10/05/distraction" class="link" target="_blank">“Distraction,” Simplicity, and Running Toward Shitstorms | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhenwczhnf1qcc8nno1_500.jpg" class="link" target="_blank">"Some Hot Chick Typing in Her Underwear" (Now re-Tumblr-d 8656 times. KILL ME. —mdm) </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isumZjs3dKA" class="link" target="_blank">Wu Tang Clan - "Triumph" - In which Inspectah Deck drops the SINGLE GREATEST VERSE in hip-hop history [~00:00:36-00:01:25] </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBG7P-K-r1Y" class="link" target="_blank">Foo Fighters - "Everlong" </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68C-r9kSLNE" class="link" target="_blank">Kraftwerk - "Autobahn" </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE7IMHRjbeQ" class="link" target="_blank">The Wrens - &qu

<p>Dan and Merlin improvise topics this week and get from Synechode, NY to dopamine, being scared and being safe, believing your thoughts and coloring your dreams, and solving problems by moving your hands instead of thinking.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.literatureandlatte.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Literature and Latte</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.merlinmann.com/better" class="link" target="_blank">Better - Merlin Mann</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2008/09/08/four-years" class="link" target="_blank">Four Years | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://blog.boastr.net/" class="link" target="_blank">Great Tools For Your Mac By Andreas Hegenberg » BetterTouchTool, BetterSnapTool & SecondBar</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIizh6nYnTU" class="link" target="_blank">YouTube - SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK : Official Trailer -- HD</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzEhoyXpqzQ " class="link" target="_blank">Louis CK - Turning 40 ("That's just a new *thing* you do")</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0470877006/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Mac at Work (9780470877005): David Sparks: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/3886701357/each-time-i-sit-down-to-write-i-dont-know-if-i " class="link" target="_blank">"Each time I sit down to write..." - Don Murray</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAudiobook?id=276082455&s=143441&partnerId=30&siteID=GfpxbBXXpXE-y3gfJGyOQcSr2tOpkzD12A" class="link" target="_blank">Audiobook: "Writing Down the Bones" by Natalie Goldberg</a><br /></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><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/169873399/clackity-noise" class="link" target="_blank">Making the Clackity Noise - kung fu grippe </a><br /></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 (March 13th, 2010)</a><br /></li></ul><p>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.mailchimp.com/?pid=5by5&source=website" title="MailChimp">MailChimp</a>.</p>

<p>This week, Merlin Mann and Dan Benjamin eighty-six their restaurant jobs—emptying grease traps, handling logs of meat, and sharing what they learned by bringing mostly bad food to America's table. Dan burns velvet hands, Merlin's Mom gives the guy with the coupon a kung fu, and old people want a monkey dish of sauce before they boost all your Sweet'N Low.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2006/06/11/perfect-apostrophe" class="link" target="_blank">43F Podcast: The Perfect Apostrophe | 43 Folders</a><br /></li></ul><p>Sponsored by <a href="http://sourcebits.com" title="Sourcebits">Sourcebits</a> and <a href="http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/13001-83639-38901-10" title="Audible">Audible</a>.</p>

<p>Merlin Mann and Dan Benjamin relate to Richard–a listener in the middle of a quarter life crisis working jobs he doesn't like–with stories from their pasts, suggestions to combat the cascade of seriousness, and some first steps for breaking out of the vocational wheel.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarter-life_crisis" class="link" target="_blank">Quarter-life crisis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_return" class="link" target="_blank">Saturn return - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://paperartstudio.tripod.com/artistsway/id4.html" class="link" target="_blank">Artist's Dates</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.theartistsway.com/" class="link" target="_blank">The Artist's Way</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://paperartstudio.tripod.com/artistsway/id3.html" class="link" target="_blank">Morning Pages</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://cather.unl.edu/ss006.html" class="link" target="_blank">WCA: "Paul's Case"</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B003ZSISIU/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Writing Down the Bones eBook: Natalie Goldberg, Staughton Lynd: Kindle Store</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.nataliegoldberg.com/" class="link" target="_blank">NATALIE GOLDBERG</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/169873399/clackity-noise" class="link" target="_blank">Making the Clackity Noise - kung fu grippe</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.theartistsway.com/index.php?f90a4dac66e2ce578e9b972a5d87c8bc=f41e2fff70c4e90f2f814041836bb59a" class="link" target="_blank">The Artist's Way</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://youlooknicetoday.com/episode/where-ham" class="link" target="_blank">Where Is the Ham? | You Look Nice Today</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/merlin/318814/in/set-1034127/" class="link" target="_blank">FL Driver's License; Summer, 1991 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.breakoutofthebox.com/NatalieGoldberg.pdf" class="link" target="_blank">Excerpts from Natalie Goldberg/Writing Down the Bones and Wild Mind</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://doodle.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Doodle: easy scheduling</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.liketowrite.com/daybooks.html" class="link" target="_blank">daybooks</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0867096004/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: The Essential Don Murray: Lessons from America's Greatest Writing Teacher (9780867096002): Donald M. Murray, Thomas Newkirk, Lisa C. Miller: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://youlooknicetoday.com/episode/vachina" class="link" target="_blank">Vachina | You Look Nice Today</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2005/09/19/writing-sensible-email-messages" class="link" target="_blank">Writing sensible email messages | 43 Folders </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiocracy" class="link" target="_blank">Idiocracy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.mindtools.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Mind Tools - Management Training, Leadership Training and Career Training </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.mind-mapping.co.uk/make-mind-map.htm" class="link" target="_blank">How to Make a Mind Map® </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/332714224/don-murray" class="link" target="_blank">Appreciating Donald Murray (a/k/a, “Quit trying... - kung fu grippe </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e2OEgafELw" class="link" target="_blank">YouTube - Idiocracy (2006) [trailer] </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.google.com/images?q=Baron+Karza&biw=1440&bih=780" class="link" target="_blank">Baron Karza - Google Image Search [SWEET Micronauts]</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://snltranscripts.jt.org/90/90ksinatra.phtml" class="link" target="_blank">"Sounds like pops and buzzes from here" </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfug

<p>Merlin Mann is back from Webstock and ready to recap with Dan Benjamin, which leads back to caring first, performance and fear, meditation, hypnotherapy, and why you really need the hard answer instead just more tips.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/conversation/27" class="link" target="_blank">The Conversation #27: Missionless Statements - 5by5</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.macsparky.com/blog/2010/3/13/mac-power-users-workflows-with-merlin-mann.html" class="link" target="_blank">MacSparky - Blog - Mac Power Users - Workflows with Merlin Mann</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2004/09/03/introducing-the-hipster-pda" class="link" target="_blank">Introducing the Hipster PDA | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macguffin" class="link" target="_blank">MacGuffin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1934356050/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: Pragmatic Thinking and Learning: Refactor Your Wetware (Pragmatic Programmers) (9781934356050): Andy Hunt: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/020161622X/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master (0785342616224): Andrew Hunt, David Thomas: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2006/07/24/b2gtd-mind-sweep" class="link" target="_blank">Back to GTD: Do a fast "mind-sweep" | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://usingomnifocus.com/" class="link" target="_blank">BOOK: "Creating Flow with OmniFocus," by Kourosh Dini, M.D. (HIGHLY recommended by Merlin)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://hivelogic.com/articles/the-paleo-diet-a-link-primer" class="link" target="_blank">Hivelogic - The Paleo Diet: A Link Primer</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://qpradio.org/post/75687764/14-second" class="link" target="_blank">AUDIO: Quotidian Public Radio - "The 14-Second Work Year"</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2009/10/22/who-you-are" class="link" target="_blank">VIDEO: Makebelieve Help, Old Butchers, and Figuring Out Who You Are (For Now) | 43 Folders </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/3587001410/hi" class="link" target="_blank">PHOTO: "We Look Nice Today" by lonelysandwich - kung fu grippe </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://imdb.com/title/tt0109444/" class="link" target="_blank">Clear and Present Danger (1994)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1585425524/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play (9781585425525): Neil Fiore: Books </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://m.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/02/14/110214fa_fact_wright?currentPage=all" class="link" target="_blank">Paul Haggis vs. the Church of Scientology : The New Yorker </a><br /></li></ul><p>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.mailchimp.com/?pid=5by5&source=website" title="MailChimp">MailChimp</a> and <a href="http://codeconf.com/" title="CodeConf 2011">CodeConf 2011</a>.</p>

<p>Merlin Mann and Dan Benjamin talk about the black art of paying attention to the right things, how lamps are no substitute, that it's hard whether you’re working from home or a cube, being honest about your expertise before looking for independence, and the need to move past inspiration.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning–Kruger_effect" class="link" target="_blank">Dunning–Kruger effect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_Forms" class="link" target="_blank">Theory of Forms - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></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><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.enerjy.com/blog/?p=234" class="link" target="_blank">Software Integrity Blog » Blog Archive » The Dreyfus Model - Back In The Spotlight? </a><br /></li></ul><p>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.shopify.com/?utm_source=5by5&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=broad" title="Shopify">Shopify</a> and <a href="http://bs.serving-sys.com/BurstingPipe/adServer.bs?cn=tf&c=20&mc=click&pli=2248483&PluID=0&ord=[timestamp]" title="King of the Apps">King of the Apps</a>.</p>

<p>Merlin Mann and Dan Benjamin talk about trying to change other people, how things really aren’t that bad, balancing fear or being driven by fear, leaving capacity for when you get The Pitch, procrastination (eventually), and giving yourself permission to fail in an interesting way. You’re not gonna get black lung from a spreadsheet.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://blog.precipice.org/why-wesabe-lost-to-mint" class="link" target="_blank">Why Wesabe Lost to Mint - Marc Hedlund's blog</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Frankl" class="link" target="_blank">Viktor Frankl - Wikipedia ("…finding meaning in all forms of existence…")</a><br /></li></ul><p>Sponsored by <a href="http://www.mailchimp.com/?pid=5by5&source=website" title="MailChimp">MailChimp</a> and <a href="http://sourcebits.com" title="Sourcebits">Sourcebits</a>.</p>

<p>Merlin Mann and Dan Benjamin discuss ADD, Buddhism, mindfulness, concentration, and insight.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://bestofwikipedia.tumblr.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Best of Wikipedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma4/mpe.html" class="link" target="_blank">Mindfulness In Plain English</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0861713214/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Mindfulness in Plain English [Amazon]</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Barber" class="link" target="_blank">Red Barber - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.webstock.org.nz/" class="link" target="_blank">Webstock 2011 — 14th-18th February 2011</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0394704681/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Amazon.com: The Wisdom of Insecurity (9780394704685): Alan W. Watts: Books</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://i-0.us/eCfWL8" class="link" target="_blank">Bacon Ray - "Tomfoolery" 7-inch (1995) [DL B2W's theme song, "Plica Plica"]</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2005/04/27/anne-lamott-put-the-puppy-back-on-the-paper" class="link" target="_blank">Anne Lamott: Put the puppy back on the paper | 43 Folders </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.merlinmann.com/phoneguy/2011/1/14/hillbilly-excel.html" class="link" target="_blank">Hillbilly Excel - 30 Seconds with Phone Guy - "It's all buttoned up…"</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1562827693/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Book: Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life [MDM: "...book with brown and green cover..."]</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.merlinmann.com/news/2010/9/24/merlin-webstock-2011-keynote-two-new-workshops.html" class="link" target="_blank">Merlin @ Webstock 2011: Keynote + Two New Workshops</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/310374331/zen-arcade-2" class="link" target="_blank">Hüsker Dü - Zen Arcade (Side 2 of 4) ["Punch it!"]</a><br /></li></ul><p><a href="http://www.webstock.org.nz/">Webstock 2011</a> will be the mostest bestest scientifically proven amazingest conference ever. In the history of the world. Fact.</p>

<p>Merlin Mann and Dan Benjamin formulate a five-minute warning tactic before discussing the reality of bringing change to your company, some patterns that work for startups, solving the right problem at the right level, why you can’t find the innovation button, and using PathFinder as a Finder replacement.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.themerlinshow.com/ep/005-interview-chris-wetherell" class="link" target="_blank">Video: Interview: Chris Wetherell | The Merlin Show</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.themerlinshow.com/ep/013-interview-chris-wetherell-part-2" class="link" target="_blank">Video: Interview: Chris Wetherell, Part 2 | The Merlin Show</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/020161622X/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Book: The Pragmatic Programmer by Andy Hunt and David Thomas</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2007/01/05/macbreak-pathfinder" class="link" target="_blank">Video: Path Finder video demo on MacBreak | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005TNXB/5by5-20" class="link" target="_blank">Book: Dynamics of Software Development by Jim McCarthy, Denis Gilbert</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.pragprog.com/titles/ahptl/pragmatic-thinking-and-learning" class="link" target="_blank">Book: Pragmatic Thinking and Learning by Andy Hunt</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.webstock.org.nz/11/programme/workshops.php#mann2" class="link" target="_blank">Workshop: "Sinking your Sailboats: Managing Innovation by Saying True Things" by Merlin @ Webstock 11</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://cocoatech.com/" class="link" target="_blank">App Pick: Path Finder 5 by Cocoatech (OS X File Browser/Finder Replacement)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skunkworks_project" class="link" target="_blank">Skunkworks project - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:One_of_Pavlov%27s_dogs.jpg" class="link" target="_blank">Image: One of Pavlov's dogs.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macguffin" class="link" target="_blank">MacGuffin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://evhead.com/2005/11/ten-rules-for-web-startups.asp" class="link" target="_blank">Evan Williams | evhead: Ten Rules for Web Startups [2005]</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_bias" class="link" target="_blank">Cognitive bias - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://i-0.us/eb9wXV" class="link" target="_blank">Quote: "The awful thing about life is this: Everybody has their reasons" (La règle du jeu, 1939) </a><br /></li><li><a href="http://flic.kr/p/8WSkLA" class="link" target="_blank">Image: "Leave-A-Sign-About-Dog-Poop Guy" </a><br /></li></ul><p>This episode is sponsored by <a href="http://www.omnigroup.com/">The Omni Group</a>, makers of fine Mac and iOS apps like OmniFocus, OmniGraffle, and OmniOutliner.</p>

<p>In the inaugural episode of Back to Work, Merlin Mann and Dan Benjamin discuss why they’re doing this show, getting back to work instead of buying berets, the lizard brain, and compare the Shadow of the Mouse to San Francisco, and eventually get to some practical tips for removing friction.</p> <p>Links for this episode:</p><ul><li><a href="http://brettterpstra.com/" class="link" target="_blank">Welcome to BrettTerpstra.com, home of Brett Terpstra and his nerdery</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://github.com/carlhuda/janus" class="link" target="_blank">carlhuda/janus - GitHub</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.practicallyefficient.com/" class="link" target="_blank">practically efficient — technology, workflows, life</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.macsparky.com/" class="link" target="_blank">MacSparky - Blog</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://brooksreview.net/" class="link" target="_blank">The Brooks Review</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.leancrew.com/all-this/" class="link" target="_blank">And now it’s all this</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.danrodney.com/mac/" class="link" target="_blank">Dan Rodney's List of Mac OS X Keyboard Shortcuts & Keystrokes</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.43folders.com/2009/03/25/blogs-turbocharged" class="link" target="_blank">43f Podcast: John Gruber & Merlin Mann's Blogging Panel at SxSW | 43 Folders</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://wafflesoftware.net/thisservice/" class="link" target="_blank">waffle software · ThisService</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://onethingwell.org/" class="link" target="_blank">One Thing Well</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.aaronsw.com/2002/html2text/" class="link" target="_blank">html2text: THE ASCIINATOR (aka html2txt)</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://5by5.tv/conversation/27" class="link" target="_blank">The Conversation #27: Missionless Statements - 5by5</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://peepcode.com/products/smash-into-vim-i" class="link" target="_blank">Smash into Vim [Screencast]</a><br /></li></ul><p>Sponsored by <a href="http://postmarkapp.com" title="Postmark">Postmark</a> and <a href="http://www.rackspace.com/5by5" title="Rackspace">Rackspace</a>.</p>