DISCUSSED : Rabbit, rabbit!; Dan wants to be sedated; at some point, Merlin had most of the optimism bred out of him; a lot of problems and small beefs get overlooked for survival and sanity reasons right now; Dan shares listener recommendations for movies like the Missions Impossible ; time was, you went to the weird video store and just hoped you got the good guy; Dan wants to remind you that he signed a letter of agreement—a CONTRACT ; maybe it's time we abandon that increasingly meaningless ...
Sep 01, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : Merlin has a lot of infrastructure going on; your hosts share strong feelings on time zone discrimination and its attendant big-timing; Dan has more cool videos coming to his channel ; some boring nerd talk on voice recording options; Dan needs your suggestions for more movies like the Missions Impossible; in Follow-Up, there's some good news and some bad news related to both COVID and San Francisco; hurricanes are coming!; Merlin figures out why Safari on his Mac got so slow; though...
Aug 25, 2020•1 hr 26 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : time is hard; X-Men for eight cellos; in follow-up, Dan has some clues for troubleshooting his jumpy screen; it's valuable to understand what problem you didn't solve; then, of course, comes the extended weekly airing of COVID grievances; Merlin needs advice on choosing a Zoom recorder; check out Dan's new thing !; recommendations for Ted Lasso and Ethan Hunt; some lessons to bring home from vacation; plus, some more reckons on life after COVID. Links for this episode: How Dan Record...
Aug 18, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : Dan is joining a campaign, and Merlin's eyesight now precludes him from being an AD&D dungeon master; Dan has a concern about his laptop screen and needs your help; then, the boys settle in for a good, old-fashioned recommendations episode; podcasts, pens, video editing apps, a 3D printer, a new SoundSource, hard drives, and even a moisturizing cream for your little patch. Links for this episode: AmazonSmile : MUJI Aluminum Body Fountain Pen - Fine Nib - with 2 Refill Ink Cartrid...
Aug 11, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : the joys of a movie that reveals itself over multiple viewings; good storytelling is difficult but so rewarding; as you know, Bob, a lot of movies have that Walk Hard problem; Merlin has questions about Dan's day-to-day in Travis County; people are cooking the books; why do so many people have the Extremis virus these days?; we could still make a big dent; and, finally, wow, the demands for performance sure can be exhausting. Links for this episode: Fair Play Mystery (Concept) - Comi...
Aug 04, 2020•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : Merlin has discovered a unique new voice emerging from the medical and spiritual communities; your hosts interrogate the implications of this new material; Dan and Merlin have media recommendations; as a main topic, your hosts explore the many, intertwined complexities of trying to figure out "the future" right now. Links for this episode: Stella Immanuel, Trump’s New COVID-19 Doctor, Believes in Alien DNA, Demon Sperm, and Hydroxychloroquine Walls Are Back - The Atlantic Personal sp...
Jul 28, 2020•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : There's really only one topic right now, and it's not going away any time soon. Many analogies and historical echoes are explored. The future, if it exists, is going to be very weird. Links for this episode: And the Band Played On (film) - Wikipedia Cooter (30 Rock) - Wikipedia And the Band Played On streaming: where to watch online? What teachers really think about school reopening in the fall. Four teachers on their fears and frustrations heading into the 2020 school year. There Is...
Jul 21, 2020•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : knife talk and flea market nostalgia; a deep dive on state knife law; knife tips from listeners; Merlin reinstalled Homebrew; comfort viewing amidst these challenging times; also, a healthy fear of Australian spiders. Links for this episode: Flea Market | Drive in Movies| Florida Swap Shop California’s Knife Laws – What You Need to Know California Knife Laws - Rules On Possession And Use California Knife Laws 2019 - Is It Legal to Carry One? - Riderz Law Crater C33T Knife | Leatherma...
Jul 14, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : Merlin has flies in his bathroom; Dan's town is really going through some times; there's some COVID talk, duh; Merlin solved a very strange iOS beta bug; main topic involves some thoughts on the Apple betas and the tantalizing future that they imply; Dan has a new keyboard and an accompanying conspiracy theory; leathers men are discussed; and, finally, Merlin needs to use the bathroom—provided the flies will allow it. Links for this episode: European Union - Wikipedia Our Ability to ...
Jul 07, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : the things we can and cannot do anything about; the things that can and cannot change; and the wisdom to know all of the differences. Links for this episode: Ep. 389: "The New March" - Roderick on the Line - Merlin Mann State Flag - 1845 - Florida Department of State On March 3, 1845, Florida became the twenty-seventh state. Citizens of Tallahassee presented incoming Governor William D. Moseley with a flag that flew at his inauguration. However, because of a controversy sur...
Jun 30, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : Dan and Merlin take a first look at Apple's recently-announced iOS and iPadOS updates. Links for this episode: iPad Keyboards - Apple Paul Verhoeven - Wikipedia Secure, Fast & Private Web Browser with Adblocker | Brave Browser AmazonSmile : Arlo Pro 3 – Wire-Free Security 2 Camera System | 2K with HDR, Indoor/Outdoor, Color Night Vision, Spotlight, 160° View, 2-Way Audio, Siren | Works with Alexa | (VMS4240P) : Camera & Photo WWDC 2020 Special Event Keynote — Apple - YouTube ...
Jun 23, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : Merlin is nauseated, and Dan has advice on what you definitely should or should not buy at a gas station; Merlin says he'll be brief, but, as usual, it turns into a real stem-winder as…; Merlin addresses the complexity of treating mental illness in a way that doesn't upend your body and life ; Dan needs some TV show recommendations, but has very strong feelings about talking animals; Merlin wonders aloud if he's ever met @Darth ; case close . Links for this episode: 5by5 | Back to Wo...
Jun 19, 2020•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : Dan and Merlin talk about hot dogs. Links for this episode: Uncured Beef Frankfurters (Natural Casing) | Boar's Head Products - Hot Dogs - Applegate PRODUCTS « Kahns Donate - Howard Brown Health "Howard Brown was established on the premise that healthcare in the LGBTQ community should be a readily accessible right, not a luxury – that those who lack the privilege of adequate health coverage or access to competent medical providers should be able to find care in a confidential an...
Jun 09, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : not everything can be everything; pain accumulates; getting weepy about a cool teacher; expanding on our new thought technology for reframing negative thoughts and feelings; abstracting that new thought technology to tons of different endeavors; why won't they just let me win this video game?; the scissors and Scotch Tape are wherever you left them ; the joys of ritual and control; the importance of infrastructure; break the big thing into a bunch of little things; Merlin performs a ...
Jun 02, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : Skype struggles; nobody likes parsnips; Dan remotely teaches Merlin to cut his own hair; Dan introduces a new game show, and Merlin is dealing with poop; life is not currently optimized for multiple-event days; Merlin challenges you to remember when exactly eight minutes has gone by; why we'll eventually each discover what the hell happened on our personal Galápagos; the exhaustion of Zoom calls; an omnibus recommendation related to movies; finally, Dan Columbos Merlin with a questio...
May 26, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : discussion of The Freshman and thoughts on what makes a movie "hold up"; has anyone ever craved a three-star movie?; what Merlin really wants is a smart friend; Dan is enjoying On Becoming a God in Central Florida ; the difficulty of making weird good; I didn't buy it a beer; your mask is not a case for your beard; Dan has follow-up on bikes; Merlin has follow-up on companies and WFH help; thoughts on what we know and don't know about the difficulties of ““reopening””; the benefits a...
May 19, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : Here we are in Spain; a lot went on behind the scenes of The Wizard of Oz ; also Modern Problems existed; further discussion of 80s movies; they used to make more movies; B-MO gets a show?; secrets of the child whisper network; Saturday morning memories; C19 is making a lot of holes and gaps in kids' lives; what even is the deal with colleges?; wisdom from the great Kevin Kelly ; it's one thing to know something, but it's another thing to know something; and, finally, beginning to ex...
May 12, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : Dan has concerns!; every road has many parts, but you seriously need to show your humanity; stop signs are really just velocipede serving suggestions; not all wood floats; too soon; an ambitious crossover is proposed; Cormac McCarthy rules ; Phillip W. Battery sure has a lot going on for a busy and attentive new dad; as a main topic, your hosts bounce off a terrific recent episode of Merlin's beloved You're Wrong About ; hey, what B2W-ish lessons can be drawn from the response to the...
May 05, 2020•1 hr 23 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : Merlin is having a strange day, and Dan notices everything ; please remember that fear and stress and anxiety are pretty terrible motivators; praise for On Becoming a God in Central Florida and 1Password; security theater vs. security reality; Dan's new mouse is as quiet as a…what's the word?; Brushing with Hardest Available Toothbrush Considered Harmful; Dan is gently exposing his son to one of the great films. So what?; a couple great pieces on making actual good passwords; recomme...
Apr 28, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : our perception of value is definitely personal and maybe even a little generational; sometimes, the only thing you can afford is the best; a listener question about where your hosts are with comics; further praise for TaskPaper; updates on macOS text editing; Merlin capitulates to Catalina; Dan answers a listener question about coping with chronic back pain; learning how to stop rehearsing frailty by embracing the wonders of momentum. Links for this episode: CBR and CBZ Files (What T...
Apr 21, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : Dan loves it when things just work and so does Merlin; Dan is composting, and Merlin is down to clown; ¡repita después de mi!; massive real-time follow-up; playing with iBeacons; excellent follow-up and notes from listeners; many reccomendations; memories of Grad Night; this is a very silly one. Links for this episode: The Weirdly Enduring Appeal of Weird Al Yankovic - The New York Times Estimote – experts in location and proximity solutions We are experts in location and proximity s...
Apr 14, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Transcript available on Metacast TW: very brief mention of suicide around minute 24. DISCUSSED : a classic three-act episode! Expertise is difficult to explain—let alone to teach; the Sunday Scaries are real ; it's an interesting (and surprising) time for people with anxiety and depression; let's keep trying to give each other a break; some follow-up on Descript and the One-Drawer Project; You Look Nice Today is back ; finally, Dan has some tips on surviving working from home. Links for this episode: Coronavirus Is Making a Lot...
Apr 07, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this very intimate episode, Dan and Merlin share some ideas for positive yet do-able projects to improve your life and world in these dumb, scary times. Also, covered in this episode: recommendations for Max Richter's Sleep and an insane new podcast production app called " Descript ". Links for this episode: Sleep (album) - Wikipedia Max Richter: Sleep Album Review | Pitchfork The audacious composer Max Richter has created an eight-hour piece meant to serve as a sleep aid. But it is more than...
Mar 31, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast Difficult times and the Venn overlap between anxiety and OCD. Hang in there, everybody. Links for this episode: Epistemic Trespassing | Mind | Oxford Academic Epistemic trespassers are thinkers who have competence or expertise to make good judgments in one field, but move to another field where they lack competence—and pass judgment nevertheless. We should doubt that trespassers are reliable judges in fields where they are outsiders. On "epistemic trespassing" In which Merlin has learn...
Mar 24, 2020•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : “ CATS — Now and Forever!”; BokBok.wtf ; on civic responsibility; Dan browses worms, and Merlin finds him a spider; Dan wants some keyboard advice, and Merlin just needs a ride; some thoughts on engaging versus escaping right now; praise for Danny Elfman and Oingo Boingo; suggestions for leveraging the wonder of libraries today; Dan is working on a big Minecraft project, also some listener letters. Links for this episode: Bok Bok — Merlin Mann (BokBok.wtf) 'How come Merlin says “Bok ...
Mar 17, 2020•1 hr 19 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : heck, yeah, there's a lot of uncertainty; the woeful knock-on effects of COVID-19, from SxSW to presidential handshaking; Dan graciously accepts Merlin's apology; it's so important that you not touch the fish's face; Dan's Podcast Method is back, baby; you can tell an ecosystem is healthy when the advice about it diversifies; Dan explains the Kelvin Timeline and why he hates it; a Celebration of Bones emerges; Merlin is intrigued by Otter and a little unsure about Jumbo; Dan wants yo...
Mar 09, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : Merlin's uvula thing is back; some handy one-liner suggestions; the boys are loving uBar, and this leads to a dive on how they use the macOS Dock; praise for Witch; Ultraman is back, baby!; 500,000° is very, very hot; some nebulous, initial thoughts about a bracing call to focus on doing the work (and not how it looks to others when you're doing the work); a listener letter on alternatives for music hosting and streaming in the Apple ecosystem; wow, hard drives sure got super-cheap, ...
Mar 03, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : Skype steals focus, and Merlin ate your poem; music is pretty great; some odds and sods and recommendations; everyone should have a bell; learning to trust your system (and yourself); listener mailbag; Dan loves his new backpack; more on bulwarks against madness . Links for this episode: Carole King 1971 - YouTube USBPre 2 Troubleshooting Steps - Sound Devices How to turn your Mac startup chime back on Say It, Don't Spray it: Specific Tasks for Specific Outcomes - YouTube BBC Fo...
Feb 25, 2020•1 hr 19 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED : Merlin isn't quite awake yet and has some audio struggles in the midst of a new project; Dan is bringing back The Podcast Method ; committing something to media can still be very special; podcasts are cool, and you should make one; praise for Temple Grandin, a Jason Snell video, and a big upgrade over the stock Home app for iOS; solid syncing has raised a lot of boats; updates on the iOS text editor landscape; and, finally, thoughts on the future of sustainable iOS app development. L...
Feb 18, 2020•1 hr 26 min•Transcript available on Metacast DISCUSSED: new muting!; infrastructure is hard; on dogs; Dan gets a podcast recommendation from his fish guy; who we're 'shipping on Star Trek ; a free musical performance for a beloved sponsor; some good TED talks; do we like ligatures in monospace fonts?; Dan is getting restarted with OmniFocus, and Merlin has many, many thoughts and suggestions; finally, your hosts conclude by communicating The Pig Joke. Classic. Links for this episode: Joe Smith: How to use a paper towel | TED Talk Mouseless...
Feb 11, 2020•2 hr 36 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
