Back To Work

TOPIC: Wait, what'd I DO?!? This week, Dan and Merlin talk about anger, misunderstandings, and trying to do the right thing. How bewildering (and emotional) it can be to feel misunderstood—as well as trying to better understand what we may have done wrong. Emotions are armor-piercing bullets. Links for this episode:David Letterman airs Robin Williams tribute | PopWatch | EW.comLetterman gave us a glimpse of just how electric Williams’ late night appearances were with a compilation video of his times on the show. The video features some of Williams’ trademark physical, over-the-top comedy, but it also focuses on Williams’ laughter, how he threw his head back and guffawed. Going Deep With David Rees | National Geographic ChannelThought Stopping: Why it doesn't work, and what works better."Treat Worry like a Heckler, not a Mugger" All About Change"What, when I do it, will lead to my long-term well-being and happiness?" Matthieu Ricard: The habits of happiness | Talk Video | TED.comWhat is happiness, and h

TOPIC: Thinking, Thinking, Thinking. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the inextricable links between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. They also take some time to fondly remember Robin Williams. Links for this episode:BIOGRAPHY: Robin Williams LifetimeWilliams was bullied badly during childhood for being chubby and would often spend much of his time playing alone in the family's large home to avoid his tormentors. Eventually, he conquered his overweight label though by joining the wrestling and tracks teams, and realised he could make the other children laugh as a way of gaining respect from them. Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life: Steve Martin: 9781416553656: Amazon.com: BooksChris Evans (actor) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaChristopher Robert "Chris" Evans (born June 13, 1981)[1] is an American actor and film director. Evans is best known for his superhero roles as Johnny Storm / Human Torch in Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007) [VIDEO] Craig Ferguson and

While Merlin takes a short sabbatical, Dan is joined by special guest David Sparks to talk about presentations, making your thing, balancing acts, iBooks author, paying for your kids' school with side projects, old man glasses, and more. Links for this episode:5by5 | Mac Power UsersLearn about getting the most from your Apple technology with focused topics and workflow guests. Creating Mac Power Users, one geek at a time since 2009.Hosted by David Sparks and Katie Floyd. MacSparkyTHE WAKE #1 | VertigoPresentations — MacSparkyMind map - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaA mind map is a diagram used to visually organise information. A mind map is often created around a single concept, drawn as an image in the center of a blank landscape page, to which associated representations of ideas such as images, words and parts of words are added. Major ideas are connected directly to the central concept, and other ideas branch out from those.Mind maps can be drawn by hand, either as "rough notes" during a lecture, meeting

TOPIC: Stupid can't stick to me. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the distinction between being against something vs. not having an opinion about it vs. just choosing not to let the world stick to you. Links for this episode:Marked 2 - Smarter tools for smarter writersMarked is a previewer for Markdown files. Use it with your favorite text editor and it updates every time you save. With robust features for previewing, reviewing and exporting beautiful documents, you can work in plain text while reveling in rich formatting. Presentations — MacSparkyMost presentations are terrible. That, however, does not need to be the case for your presentations. Author David Sparks, a trial attorney and seasoned technology speaker, explains how to create your own exceptional presentation. This Presentation Field Guide explains how to plan a presentation that will connect with your audience, the technical wizardry to create a stunning presentation, and walks you through presentation day to make sure it goes off without a

TOPIC: A Personal History of Personal Publishing This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the constantly-changing landscape of online publishing. How we got from home pages to blogs to social media and beyond. Things move around, things get shorter (or longer), and things get super-weird and unpredictable. How do you decide where your stuff goes and who do you expect it to reach in this whackadoodle environment? You won't believe what happens next! Links for this episode:Ep. 117: "Put on the Carrot Hat" - Roderick on the Line - Merlin MannThe Problem: John’s Siri just speaks to him in Welsh. Chrome Web Store - Library ExtensionNerd Merit Badges - 02: Inbox ZeroYou’ve reached an empty email inbox. For extra credit, you maintain an empty inbox from Monday through Friday! Doomed to Repeat It — The Message — MediumThere’s always some big deal in email—in 2013 it was Mailbox, an app that made it easy to sort and process email. There was a long waiting list for people who wanted to download and use the sof

TOPIC: Yes. Yes. This week, Dan and Merlin follow-up on their recent 5by5 at the Movies episode about Glengarry Glen Ross, talking more about sales culture, media consumption, how our personal data gets used to close us, and why Dan admires Ricky Roma. Or, Tony Roma, as you call him. Links for this episode:5by5 | 5by5 at the Movies #3: A Slight Burglary: Glengarry Glen RossMerlin Mann and Dan Benjamin talk about Glengarry Glen Ross. A Slight Burglary: Glengarry Glen Ross on HuffdufferSee You at the Top: Zig Ziglar: 9789971643096: Amazon.com: BooksNaked Consumer: How Our Private Lives Become Public Commodities: Erik Larson: 9780140233032: Amazon.com: Booksround tuit - WiktionaryA circular object giving its owner the ability to get done everything that would have otherwise been put off to a later date. 'Original' Round Tuit! - Round Tuit gifts - Round Tuit Coins - Round Toit Origins - Round Tuit HistoryShowbotWatch Planet Hulk Online | NetflixWhen Earth's superheroes exile the volatile Incredible Hu

TOPIC: Motivation This week, Dan and Merlin talk about their upcoming 5by5 at the Movies episode on Glengarry Glen Ross, which segues naturally into a discussion of the many aspects of motivation. Carrots, sticks, bonuses, fear, status, and just growing up all shape our understanding of why we (and, yeah, others) do what we do. What happens when our motivation starts better accounting for how other people are motivated? Get them to sign on the line which is dotted. Links for this episode:A B2W HeroesCon Greeting on VimeoDan Benjamin and Merlin Mann host a well-known (comics) podcast called "Back To Work". They couldn't be at HeroesCon 2014, so we put together a nice greeting, featuring a few favorite comics creators. Guest Post: Breaking The Low Mood Cycle | Captain Awkward"Thoughts influence behavior, which influences outcome, which in turn feeds back into your thoughts." [[via](https://twitter.com/tiff_frye/status/483644723425329152)] 5by5 | 5by5 at the Movies #3: Glengarry Glen RossMerlin Mann and Dan

TOPIC: (Not) Solving People Problems With Technology. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the challenge of finding business workflows that…actually work. And, what happens if you try to fix a "people problem" with a technical solution. Also, detailed discussion on Wolverine's healing factor, gruesome hand-shaving, Florida's giant grasshoppers, dangerous bourbon foil, and varieties of elves. Come to Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #4 PSA: Hey, if you live in the Bay Area and you like comics and/or Merlin, please come out to Two Cats Comics on Thursday night and hang out with Merlin. [more »] Links for this episode:Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #4 — Merlin MannMERLIN MANN (Back to Work, Roderick on the Line, You Look Nice Today, et al.) invites you to drop by Two Cats Comics on the evening of Thursday, June 26th to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.” Is West Portal the ‘new Noe’? - On The Block5by5 | The NewsWBP SYSTEMS / Heap CRM / Keep all your information together, with the Small Business CRM / Messages,

TOPIC: "Creativity" where you din't expect it. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about PIXAR, creativity, and FoldingText before finally succumbing to the treachery of Skype. Links for this episode:FoldingText — Plain text productivity for Mac usersFor Mac users who love plain text. FoldingText is the markdown text editor with productivity features. Unlike other editors, FoldingText does outlining, todo lists, and more. 5by5 | The Incomparable #197: Fail FastWe love Pixar, and we're a bunch of creative professional types. So as you can imagine, we devoured "Creativity Inc.", by Pixar president Ed Catmull. Is it a business book or an anti-business book? How do you foster creativity? Is Pixar's formula one that provides safety while preventing works of staggering genius? How much is a director or writer the author of a Pixar movie, and how much is the studio itself? And is the wild success of "Frozen" proof of anything?Panelists John Siracusa, Glenn Fleishman, Lisa Schmeiser, and David J. Loehr. Pet Pig Saves Fam

TOPIC: Dan & Merlin in Fancy San Francisco This week, Dan and Merlin visit across a table in a darkened room to talk about WWDC, San Francisco's lesser-known features, and how to spend less time bogged down in day-to-day junk. Links for this episode:Episode 20: Self Doubt with Merlin Mann — The NudgeCotton Bureau – Sportsball by Jory RaphaelCelebrate your love of sportsball with this officially sanctioned National Sportsball Association League shirt. Just in time for the Super World Bowl Series Championships. 5by5 WWDC 2014 Party - YouTubeThis week's episode of Back to Work is kindly sponsored by: Squarespace (10% off with offer code, "ITSYOURSHOW") - Squarespace is the easiest way for anyone to create an exceptional website. BusyCal - Powerful time-saving calendar features in a friendly, easy-to-use package.

TOPIC: Culture is what we DO. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about processing a hotel room and leading by example. Links for this episode:John Dickerson - How to Process a Hotel RoomHOWTO process your new hotel room Replace any... | kung fu grippeRed Oxx Air Boss Carry-on Bag Designed for 1 Bag Business Travelers.Red Oxx Travel Basket Key Tray and Coin ValetHONEY, WHERE'S THE ROOM KEY? LOOK IN THE VALET! NEVER MISPLACE YOUR ESSENTIALS AGAIN. YOUR PERSONAL VALET. ShowbotListener-submitted titles for this episode. It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff: Peter Walsh: 9780743292658: Amazon.com: BooksSponsored by PDFpen Scan+ from Smile.

TOPIC: How to undig a river. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about an email message from a listener who's having trouble getting away from his inbox long enough to do what he needs to, introducing a mindfulness exercise that may help point to a deeper problem. (This is a good one) Links for this episode:7: The Passionate TaskRich Stevens and Merlin Mann join Moisés and John to discuss the state of digital comics, content discovery, and recommend some good reads. "Melnibonér" - kung fu grippeShowbotListener-submitted titles for this episode. Cultural hegemony - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaIn Marxist philosophy, however, the term describes the domination of a culturally diverse society by the ruling class, who manipulate the culture of the society — the beliefs, explanations, perceptions, values, and mores — so that their ruling-class worldview becomes the worldview that is imposed and accepted as the cultural norm Nonsense From the Huffington PostThis week's episode of Back to Work is kindly sp

TOPIC: It's like wallets and backpacks. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about H.R. Giger, Dan's latest Android experiment, more on app privacy, and why we need both wallets, backpacks, and suitcases. You know. Analogies. Links for this episode:[SPONSOR] Build a Website — Squarespace[SPONSOR] Online Eyeglasses & Sunglasses - $95 Rx Glasses | Warby Parker5by5 | The Incomparable #194: A Real Imaginary FriendGrab your black cat and portable radio, climb on your mom's broomstick, and join us for a discussion of Hayao Miyazaki's classic animated film "Kiki's Delivery Service." This film features a climactic scene featuring an out-of-control dirigible, so you know we love it.With panelists Merlin Mann, John Siracusa, and Steve Lutz. Bonus Track | Mann Canon (Episode 194b)Many digressions from our “Kiki’s Delivery Service” episode, including all the stuff John Siracusa told us to remove because it’s just him making references to Merlin’s podcasts so obscure even Merlin doesn’t remember them.May 10, 2014 • 17 minu

Merlin and Dan talk about Marked, Drafts, MLKSHK shutting down, App.net, routers, Hong King Phoey, poisoned meatballs, and more. Links for this episode:Hansure - Product DetailsHansureTM is a wearable device that makes hand sanitization possible at the point of patient care. Where tradional approaches to increase hand hygiene compliance rely on monitoring, judging, forcing, penalizing and collecting HCW's data, HansureTM is built on the fundamental principle to simplify the hand hygiene process for the HCWs. HansureTM ensures that no opportunity for hand hygiene is ever missed by any HCW by addressing the real challenges that prevent HCWs from being compliant to the hand hygiene guidelines. HansureTM is available in two versions - A cost effective mechanical version and a fully automated electronic device. More suspected poisoned meatballs in S.F. - SFGateMarked 2 - Smarter tools for smarter writersMarked is a previewer for Markdown files. Use it with your favorite text editor and it updates every time you sa

Merlin Mann and Dan Benjamin talk about comiXology and the future of online digital purchases. Links for this episode:Wonder Woman (2009) (V)A modern man's trespass of the island of the Amazons enables an imprisoned war god to escape and Princess Diana wins the responsibility to recapture him. Nonsense From the Huffington PostSquarespace Metrics for iPad — The Official Squarespace BlogWith its fluid design and powerful inspection tools, Squarespace Metrics provides valuable insight into your data through key performance indicators, interactive charts, and dynamic views – all with a beautiful interface you can truly enjoy. Starting today, we’re pleased to offer Metrics for the iPad as a universal download. The House Rules | The Thom Zahler WeblogSo, I’m taking the opportunity of the New Year to post my schedule. It’s important to manage expectations. How fast should you be expected to respond to an email? When is too early to call? So, here we go with my five house rules. Captain America: Man Out of Time Digit

TOPIC: Standing up to Attention Bullies. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the world's impossible expectations regarding each of our own time, attention, and access. What happens when we tacitly allow the universe to ask us anything any time for any reason? How do we develop the sympathy to understand how vastly our schedules and priorities differ at a given moment? Well. One possible solution is to learn to find the courage to not be terminally ""busy"" all the time. That's all on us. Links for this episode:[SPONSOR] Harry's - Quality Men’s Shaving Products. Fair Prices. Simple.Warren Ellis » How To See The FutureBut I’ll suggest to you something. The theories of atemporality and manufactured normalcy and zero history can be short-circuited by just one thing.Looking around. Morgan Stanley's Parker On Email Access - Business InsiderIn a new note to clients, Parker writes that he got an email from someone saying they had "limited access" to their email. He proceeds to explain how that's a lame

TOPIC: Ubi Sunt, LCS? This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the uneasy future of local comic shops—especially in light of Amazon's announced acquisition of comiXology. Links for this episode:[SPONSOR] lynda.com Favorite Podcasts for Writers | The Star-Dusted Sirens"But some episodes also cover more esoteric issues like agency or creativity. Merlin excels at taking all those nebulous ideas about work that we’ve all had, and then nailing down the core of them so they can’t wiggle off the examining table and back into the dark recesses of our minds before we’ve at least identified the problem. Dan will then diffidently explain how the Buddha approached the same issue. And did I mention the comic books? They talk about comic books. A LOT." Interview: Martin Blaser, Author Of 'Missing Microbes' : NPR"He tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross that with the overuse of antibiotics, as well as some other now-common practices like cesarean sections, we've entered a danger zone — a no man's land between the world of ou

TOPIC: The future we can't know. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about how quickly technology is evolving, how janky that evolution can be, and how terrible we all are at forecasting what will come next and beyond. Could Merlin have ever imagined he'd pay $3.00 for an episode of Under the Gunn? No, he could not. Links for this episode:The health effects of a world without darkness – Rebecca Boyle – AeonYou Are Not So SmartList of cognitive biases - RationalWikiCognitive bias describes the inherent thinking errors that humans make in processing information. Some of these have been verified empirically in the field of psychology, while others are considered general categories of bias. These thinking errors prevent one from accurately understanding reality, even when confronted with all the needed data and evidence to form an accurate view. End-of-history illusion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaThe end-of-history illusion is a ubiquitous psychological illusion in which teenagers and adults of all ages belie

TOPIC: Words mean things. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the blight of buzzwords, jargon, and douchespeak writ large. Links for this episode:Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaThought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism popularized the term "thought-terminating cliché". This refers to a cliché that is a commonly used phrase, or folk wisdom, sometimes used to quell cognitive dissonance. Though the clichéd phrase in and of itself may be valid in certain contexts, its application as a means of dismissing dissent or justifying fallacious logic is what makes it thought-terminating. 5by5 | CMD+Space #90: The First Bar, with Merlin MannThis week Myke is joined by Merlin Mann, for an impromptu episode of CMD Space. They talk about scheduling your content to meet the needs of your audience, allowing your work to become 'yours', breaking the mould in your in environment, setting standards for your work and being a creative person in a corporate culture. Roderick on

TOPIC: Curiosity & Creativity This week, Dan and Merlin talk more about expertise and how it relates to the ineffable qualities of curiosity and creativity. Can curiosity be inspired or taught? Or, is it just something you either have or don't? How do we buck the implicit authority to explore the vast universe of "unnecessary things?" Links for this episode:21 Compelling Reasons Why Florida Should Be Kicked Out Of The United States | Thought CatalogLet me just start this by saying that I was born in Florida, lived there for a while, and have/visit many a family member there. Losing Florida will be an emotional hit for me as well. But it’s high time we just took that table saw of democracy and severed Florida off to float in the Atlantic. Here is why. 5by5 | Back to Work #163: Head Lice :-(TOPIC: LEGO and ExpertiseThis week, Dan and Merlin talk about LEGO and what becoming a Master Builder can teach us about expertise.Also: tooth fairies, binder clips, and the pedagogical warning shot.WARNING: This episod