Back To Work

Topic: Asking questions in order to find better questions 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. How do you do this? Blundell Chains, hypotheses, the clackity noise, and iteration. Links for this episode:[SPONSOR] TextExpander (coupon code: LASTCHANCE)[SPONSOR] Squarespace (offer code: `fineformerlin`)5by5 | Back to Work #42: Coconut HeadphonesAdam Lisagor – interview by Merlin MannVisual Customization | Squarespace Help & SupportAdvanced Customization | Squarespace Help & SupportRoderick on the Line - Merlin's new podcast Dan won't listen to.kung fu grippe - Check out TextExpander’s new “Fill” functionality....Amazon.com: The Essential Don Murray: Lessons from America's Greatest Writing Teacher (9780867096002): Donald M. Murray, Thomas Newkirk, Lisa C. Miller: BooksAmazon.com: A Writer's Coach: The Complete Guide to Writing Str

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. Links for this episode:Macworld Check your music's iCloud Status | Music and AudioMacSparky - Blog - Macworld 2012 - Rob Corddry and a Magic Show The Mountain Goats - "This Year" (2005)Lyrics: The Mountain Goats - "This Year"[SPONSOR}: Squarespace.com (offer code = `soangry`)Publication bias - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaAs Dutch Research Scandal Unfolds, Social Psychologists Question Themselves - Research - The Chronicle of Higher EducationThinking, Fast and Slow - FT.comArrow’s other theorem « Statistical Modeling, Causal Inference, and Social ScienceHow to upgrade tracks to iTunes Match, fast | MacworldFive terrible fake AC/DC songs about how hard it is to be in a band « 5ivesEarth-616 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediakung fu grippe: "…And Snacks"Jack ChengGive Me Something To ReadLongreads: The b

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. Merlin also has some updates and tips for your iTunes Matching and your Google searching. Links for this episode:The Great Style Revival - Blog - The Official Squarespace BlogSearch using your terms, verbatim - Inside SearchCaptain Beefheart - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia5by5 | Hypercritical #42: The Wrong GuyThe Metamorphosis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaElizabeth Gilbert's official websiteKeyBindings: new, improvedMarked scripts: nvALT, Evernote, MarsEdit, Scrivener - Brett TerpstraElizabeth Gilbert on nurturing creativity | Video on TED.comSestina - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaBallpark Seating Chart | SFGiants.com: BallparkCastilian Spanish - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[SPONSOR] Squarespace.comOne Hundred Years of Solitude - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaAbout a little th

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." They also consider options for "getting unstuck" with a creative project—how, sometimes, the constraints can help a lot more than the options. Links for this episode:Code Library - Squarespace Code Library[SPONSOR] Squarespace.com (offer code: `soangry`)Sponsored by Squarespace.

On strength and tolerance. Dan and Merlin talk about the many facets of strength, including the complexity of knowing what to be strong about, to whom, and when. 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. 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 all the way down the personal productivity stack. Links for this episode:GarageBand for iOS goes universal, adds new features | Macworld@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."Ted (ted) on TwitterRoderick On The Line - a set on Flickr (Ted's awesome Roderick on the Line art)Giorgio Moroder ? Chase (theme from Midnight Express) - YouTubeGiorgio Moroder - Wikipedia

On improving presentation culture. Dan and Merlin talk about bombing the deck, advancing the slides, and striving to improve the self-perpetuating bad culture of presentations. Slide?!? (Also, kid germs in the spaghetti, meeting the angry corn guy, and moving closer to the metal with our Showbot hero.) Links for this episode:Jeremy Mack (mutewinter) on TwitterKurtis Beavers IllustrationTurtle Log | A Programmer BlogAnapanasati - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[SPONSOR] Squarespace.com (use coupon code `merlinlovesus`)In which Crabby learns The Angry Dancing Corn is called, "Cornzilla" | Flickr - Photo Sharing!Amazon.com: Beyond Bullet Points: Using Microsoft PowerPoint to Create Presentations That Inform, Motivate, and Inspire (Bpg-Other) (9780735620520): Cliff Atkinson: BooksAmazon.com: Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery (9780321525659): Garr Reynolds: Bookskung fu grippe - No pressure or anything.kung fu grippe - Prepping my “slides”Cedilla - Wikipedia, the free

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. Links for this episode:Apple - iCloud stores your content and pushes it to your devices.TextExpander: Mac Typing Shortcut Utility Saves You Time!The SetupDropbox: The Inside Story Of Tech's Hottest Startup - ForbesDropDAV: HomeInstapaper 4: Deciding to Read | 43 FoldersThe Combine 2011 - EventbeeSponsored by Sponsor 5by5, Smile, and Squarespace.

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. Links for this episode:The Dan Patrick Show | Official Home43f Podcast: John Gruber & Merlin Mann's Blogging Panel at SxSW | 43 Folderskickingbear» Blog Archive » About SteveAnne Lamott on index cards | 43 FoldersRichard Stallman Eats Something From His Foot - YouTubeNew Podcast: "Roderick on the Line" - John Roderick and Merlin MannScared Shitless | 43 FoldersGeena Davis - The Fly - YouTubeIntroducing the Hipster PDA | 43 FoldersMole (unit) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediakung fu grippe - Synecdoche, New York - Official Trailer I...This explains everything | Flickr - Photo Sharing!Armand Van Helden - Hear My Name - YouTubegladwell dot com - the social life of paperMake Magazine: "Death to Paper! Long Live Paper!

How to handle job interviews. 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). Links for this episode:Seduction community - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaMerlin's Talk: "With All Due Respect to the Seduction Community"Larry Wall - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaTwitter / @hotdogsladies: "You guys know if there's any Monopoly Guy/Sir Topham Hatt slash fiction?"Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream CateringBlackjack ClassroomSerial position effect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaAmazon.com: What Color Is Your Parachute? 2011: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers (9781580082709): Richard N. Bolles: BooksJobHuntersBible.com:Résumé of Merlin Mann (10/2000)Alexandre Dumas, père - Wikipedia, the free encyclop

How to say "no." 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. Links for this episode:THE SHINING (1979) analysis by Rob AgerAmazon.com: Brandwashed: Tricks Companies Use to Manipulate Our Minds and Persuade Us to Buy (9780385531733): Martin Lindstrom: Books5by5 | Hypercritical #34: Pride in CraftsmanshipCognitive dissonance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaHow Whole Foods "Primes" You To Shop | Fast CompanySponsored by HelpSpot and Rackspace.

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. Links for this episode:kung fu grippe - [Probably the Greatest Keynote Slide of All Time]Dan Benjammin' (danbenjammin) on TwitterEddie Van Halen: The Complete 1978 Interviews[Dan] with the Les Paul (circa 1991) | Flickr - Photo Sharing!Is SpongeBob SquarePants Bad for Children? - NYTimes.comkung fu grippe - ["the visual equivalent of being told you’re eating human flesh"]Macramé - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaGuided by Voices - Game of Pricks (Amoeba Records) - YouTubeAshton Kutcher's Lady in Her PantiesHypercritical #33 [Jay-Sir on Markdown and why he doesn't use it]Lies, Damned Lies, and Medical Science - Magazine - The Atlanticsnopes.com: Microwaving Plastic Releases Cancer-Causing AgentsFAQs: Usi

Merlin and Dan talk about Dan's sabbatical, hotdogs, services, triggers, Quicksilver, Launchbar, and why there's no 'I' in 'ordnance.' Sponsored by MailChimp and Smile.

With Dan on sabbatical, Merlin is joined by John Roderick of The Long Winters 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. Links for this episode:Van Halen - Hot For Teacher - YouTubeDef Leppard- Bringing on the Heartbreak - YouTubeRobert John "Mutt" Lange - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaHighway to Hell - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaUniversity of Washington - washington.eduThe Long Wintersjohn roderick (johnroderick) on TwitterJohn Roderick (musician) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia012: Interview: John Roderick | The Merlin Show016: Interview: John Roderick, Part 2 | The Merlin Show017: Interview: John Roderick, Part 3 | The Merlin Show018: Interview: John Roderick, Part 4 | The Merlin ShowVideo: John Roderick on String Art Owls, Copper Pipe, and Bono's Boss | 43 FoldersFlickr: Merlin's extensive "John Roderick" gallery"Blue Diamonds" - th

With Dan on sabbatical, Merlin is joined by Jonathan Coulton to talk about traveling, horn sections, and Jonathan’s new album, Artificial Heart. Links for this episode:Jonathan Coulton - Home PageJoCo 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 IIThing a Week Redux002: Interview: Jonathan Coulton | The Merlin Show007: Interview: Jonathan Coulton, Part 2 | The Merlin Showabattoir - definition of abattoir by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.Anvil! The Story of Anvil (2008) - IMDbPaul and Storm » Original Comedy Music from Professional Singing PersonsJonathan Coulton - First Track from Artificial HeartJonathan Coulton - StoreJohn Flansburgh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJohn Flansburgh - TMBW: The They Might Be Giants Knowledge BaseJonathan Coulton - Shirts and StuffTopatoCo: Skullcrusher Mountain ShirtJonathan Coulton - TMBW: The They Might Be Giants Knowledge B

With Dan on sabbatical, Merlin is joined by TV’s Rob Corddry (Children’s Hospital, The Daily Show, Hot Tub Time Machine) to talk about Getting Things Done, writing, fear, and finding success as a blood-soaked clown. Links for this episode:Who Are You in Sex and the City? from Naked Babies and Jordan_MorrisRob Corddry Has A Broner from Funny Or Die, Rob Corddry, and BradX Lossless Decoder: Lossless audio decoder for Mac OS XHowardStern.com - Official site of The Howard Stern ShowHoward Stern denies 'Super 8' bootleg | Inside Movies | EW.comYouTube Blog: Broadcast YourselfAdult Swim Presents: Childrens Hospital Season 3Productive Talk Compilation: 8-episode podcast with GTD's David Allen | 43 FoldersBruce Seeds (bruceseeds) on Twitter [Thanks for help finding that SPY article!]PDF: "Celebrity Refuseniks" - _Spy_ March 1993Amazon.com: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (9780142000281): David Allen: Books[SPONSOR] Email Marketing and Email List Manager |

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. Links for this episode:Wherein I go a touch more insane | dooce®30 Years Ago Today: The Day the Middle Class Died | MichaelMoore.comWoodcarving: What is your secret? « Outside the CaveAmazon.com: Naked Consumer: How Our Private Lives Become Public Commodities (9780140233032): Erik Larson: BooksPrepping. - mlkshkNeurosis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaAmazon.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: BooksCurb Your Enthusiasm - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaBob Einstein - IMDbWelcome to Amy's Ice CreamsShabbos goy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[Sponsor] Sponsor: Smile SoftwareTextExpander: Mac Typing Shortcut Utility Saves You Time![Sponsor] Bu

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. Links for this episode:We Commissioned A Rock Opera | MailChimp Email Marketing BlogSlideshows, Slideshows Everywhere - Blog - The Official Squarespace BlogWufoo Docs · Notification SettingsSometimes There's A Mankung fu grippe - Get that "Plica Plica" songNetflix: Joan Rivers: A Piece of WorkWufoo Blog · Using Wufoo for Project Inquiry FormsAlexanderTechnique.comAlexander technique - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaThe Marketplace of IdeasHam the Chimp - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaham chimp - Google SearchTwitter / @hotdogsladies: Show of hands: Who wants ...ccMixter - Welcome to ccMixterBuild a Website - Create a Blog - SquarespaceAMC Javelin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaA VC: Subconscious Information ProcessingSponsored by Flow, Squarespace, and Wufoo.

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! Links for this episode:A Sandwich, A Wallet, and Elizabeth Taylor's Cousin | 43 FoldersFlow: Task Management and Online Collaboration for TeamsWufoo: Online Form Builder - Create Web Forms & SurveysBuild a Website - Create a Blog - Squarespacepony interior - Google SearchFord Mustang - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaKat Von D - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaAmazon.com: What Color Is Your Parachute? 2011: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers (9781580082709): Richard N. Bolles: BooksBack to Work #24: The Daddy for your Destiny - 5by5Back to Work #23: Failure is ALWAYS an Option - 5by5The Marketplace of IdeasSin-eater - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaFolk devil - Wikip

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. Links for this episode:OS X Lion and the state of the new 1Password extension (Updated) | Agile BlogDaring Fireball: MarkdownMultiMarkdownAnd now it’s all this (Blog of "Dr Drang")Welcome to BrettTerpstra.com, home of Brett Terpstra and his nerderyMacromedia HomeSite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaCoeliac disease - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaBuild and Analyze #34: My Best Dan Benjamin Impression - 5by5TextMate — The Missing Editor for Mac OS XBare Bones Software | BBEdit 10 is here!Posting style - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaText files and me IV - BBEdit and TextMate - All thisProjects - Brett TerpstranvALT 2.0 - Notational Velocity ForkBlogsmith Blogging Bundle for TextmateMarkdown Service Tools - Brett TerpstraSodastream | Turn Water Into Fresh Sparkling Water And SodaTextMate Manual » BundlesByword • A Simp

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. Links for this episode:MacSparky - Blog - JugglingSatisficing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaPrinciple of good enough - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaRational ignorance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaYouTube - "Preparing for John Siracusa's Review of OS X Lion"Karl Van Hœt (karlvanhoet) on Twitterkung fu grippe - Hi. I’m 12. How am I even allowed to go to...kung fu grippe - "Plica Pilca" (Back to Work Theme Song)Anatomy of a Crushing (Pinboard Blog)Pinboard: social bookmarking for introvertsBack to Work #23: Failure is ALWAYS an Option - 5by5Sci-Fi Hi-Fi: PodWorksAfter Dark #34: After Back To Work 024 - 5by5Amazon.com: Don't Make Me Thi