

Reconcilable Differences
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John Siracusa and Merlin Mann try to figure out exactly how they got this way. Hosted by Merlin Mann and John Siracusa.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 6, 2020 • 1h 28min
123: Squirrel List
A litany of the lost things is presented and analyzed, and a catechism for finding the lost things is interrogated.
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Links and Show Notes: This week kicks off with some accidental video and an update on Merlin's ill health. John has been maintaining some lists, and Merlin shares some confessions of the Banker's Box lifestyle. Many things still need to leave my house.
In follow-up, Merlin is ready to present his iTunes Results regarding the acquisition of Studio Ghibli movies. John finally draws a line in the sand. Why split the movie? Why no extra features? Is it Siracusa's day to watch Roderick? The magic of Miyazaki is extolled. So much smoking.
Speaking of media homework, John has a new assignment for Merlin. Then, some documentary talk in general.
John is back to harassing Merlin about how often he washes the towels, and Merlin is provoked into making a confession of fanciness. Some friend. John, in turn, confesses to being upset by Merlin's ghastly pet companions. Everything in the house is Bando'd. Merlin has some questions about Daisy's technology stack. This leads to a pretty deep dive on the design trade-offs that go into contemporary dog-tracking innovations.
Finally, the boys return to Secret Weird Things People Do, and John has a bath mat concept for consideration, plus a hot tip on bathtub materials.
(Recorded on Thursday, January 30, 2020)
Credits
Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf
Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
Music: Merlin Mann
The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley
Support Reconcilable Differences with a Relay FM Membership Redeeming 4K/UHD Codes - Google Sheets DIGITAL MOVIE RESOURCES - 4K Sheet Help Movies Anywhere"Enjoy your favorite purchased moviescombined into one collection."
Cheer - Netflix Review - Series | Comedy Central Official Site | CC.com Get Into the Elephant Stuff - The Incomparable's Watchmen episode Exporter for Notes.app - Export or Backup Notes from Apple's OSX Notes app to Plain Text .txt MS111 | Rolls Corporation - Real SoundThe ROLLS MS111 is a general purpose muting switch for microphones. The MS111 will pass phantom power, with no popping on the outputs. It is configurable to be Push to Mute or release to Mute by a second switch accessed on the side of the unit. The MS111 can have the mute switch configured to be Momentary (see manual), the switch is set to latching from the factory. The MS111 is only compatible with balanced signals.
STEALTH VAN LIFE TOUR | Extremely ORGANIZED Cargo Van Conversion - YouTube SUPER COOL AMPHIBIOUS RV Woelcke Autark T5 Crosser Off Road 4x4 Campervan Motor Home - YouTube David Ogden Stiers - IMDb Ōtori-Sama - Ghibli Wiki"They are spirits resembling giant chickens or ducks that are clients of the Bathhouse, here they put themselves into bath tubs. They are servants of the deity Ōtori."
Panic Button - Pro Co Sound

Jan 24, 2020 • 1h 40min
122: A Fib of Omission
How life is like a rally or a bridge or some…software, I guess?
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Links and Show Notes: Things kick off with an administrative meeting about the doc. Merlin tries to keep John from sneaking in, and John thinks Merlin should just use his eyeballs. Analogy sandwiches and their contents are debated. John lives with an unnamed two-towel person, and Merlin thinks he knows who it is.
Spock loses his phaser, and Merlin earns his first multisyllabic laugh from John. Merlin can tell whether you are an AT&T customer, and John thinks phone calls in general are creepy. Merlin demonstrates his robot hands for John. Merlin thinks he's an open book, and John realizes there's always something to be yelled at about. There's also some fairly harrowing cat follow-up.
In a mini-topic, John talks about Studio Ghibli movies (finally) being available digitally, and Merlin offers to take one for the team and report back. Also, some talk about metadata.
Merlin has questions for John about what constitutes a "rally." Is there a better word for having to thread an existential and chronological needle in life? Because that's what Merlin needs a name for.
Regardless of what you call this phenomenon, it's not about being first or fastest; it's about timing all the jobs and obligations that you know about, as well as leaving padding for when (inevitably) more comes up or stuff changes.
Like project management and software development, life has a funny way of hiding dependencies and disguising milestones. This leads to a deep dive on understanding the culture of your environment and the foibles of human nature.
People, amirite?
(Recorded on Tuesday, January 14, 2020.)
Credits
Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf
Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
Music: Merlin Mann
The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley
Support Reconcilable Differences with a Relay FM Membership Code Complete - Wikipedia Cold fusion - Wikipedia "The Stallone Tangent" - Episode #133 - The Flop House Podcast - YouTube Steganography - Wikipedia Markl | Howl's Moving Castle Wiki | Fandom Baba Yaga - Wikipedia

Jan 9, 2020 • 1h 40min
121: Impotent Hydra
John has a Mac Pro prep mess, and Merlin is struggling with post-holiday mess stress.
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Links and Show Notes: This is all well beyond Preparing the Way. This leads to a surprisingly detailed exploration of the challenges posed by setting up a new workspace given the constraints of the room and gravity. Cables, man. Cables.
Sisyphus is pushing another Sisyphus up a hill. You really don't want to make Daddy bring in his banker's box. How long before the elves arrive to remove all these yogurt containers? Maybe they'll "do it later." Stuff your sorries in a sack! Also, this new bean bag chair is very, very large.
Christmas Results are discussed further, and John has makeover ideas for Merlin's lounge. John's vegetarian has recently widened her palate.
Finally, John has a new pinboard, but there are some design and integration challenges. Merlin gratefully receives the only gift he's wanted for years. 🎢
Credits
Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf
Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
Music: Merlin Mann
The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley
Support Reconcilable Differences with a Relay FM Membership The Original Bean Bag Chair | Fatboy – Fatboy USA 128: Eating Scones in the Closet — Back to Work — Overcast"She's there with the nose ring."
Thrill Rides | Six Flags Discovery Kingdom"Looking for thrills? Well, you've found them. In fact, you've found some of the fastest, tallest, wildest, most gut-wrenching rides in the country-including a few record-breakers."
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Dec 19, 2019 • 1h 36min
120: Where the Packages Sleep
John continues to Prepare the Way, his wife can't close one eye, and there's a Spoiler Slot on HBO's "Watchmen."
This episode of Reconcilable Differences is sponsored by:
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Links and Show Notes: In the interest of timeliness, this episode, recorded Tuesday evening, has been rushed to you on an accelerated schedule.
(Recorded on Tuesday, December 17, 2019.)
Credits
Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf
Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
Music: Merlin Mann
The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley
Support Reconcilable Differences with a Relay FM Membership Studio Ghibli will soon sell digital movies

Dec 12, 2019 • 1h 41min
119: Emcee of Thanksgiving
The boys envision a Thanksgiving in which you won't get anywhere near the turkey until you've dealt with an upsettingly mercurial new host.
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Links and Show Notes: Things kick off with a review of Thanksgiving results that quickly swerves into a deep dive on hotels. Why is Merlin obsessed with this one Marriott in Gold Country, and how come John avoids bunking with roommates?
And, even then, you'll be called upon to help solve a stomach-churning murder mystery.
There's just a little bit of Survivor talk. Why don't the castaways like the odds of rocks, and when will Coach and Russell return as mentors?
Merlin has been excavating old hard drives, and John can't understand how he ever got to this point. Hug your backups, people.
Speaking of food, things wrap with a twist on Secret Weird Things People do: what's the deal with food?
(Recorded on Tuesday, December 3, 2019.)
Credits
Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf
Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
Music: Merlin Mann
The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley
Support Reconcilable Differences with a Relay FM Membership Dilbert Comic Strip on 1995-11-24 RITZ Mock Apple Pice Recipe Maitrī - WikipediaMaitrī (Sanskrit; Pali: mettā) means benevolence, loving-kindness, friendliness, amity, good will, and active interest in others.

Nov 27, 2019 • 1h 54min
118: THAT's the Star Wars!
Some more Secret Weird Things People Do. And, we've got some doozies.
This episode of Reconcilable Differences is sponsored by:
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Links and Show Notes: Things kick off with a check-in on Watchmen. Is John feeling more confident about it? There are MacGuffins inside of MacGuffins. John is still enjoying the Apple TV+ shows, and Merlin thinks expectation deflation can really work in your favor. John didn't remember that Jennifer Aniston was in Office Space.
In a related mini-topic, Merlin wants to talk about The Mandalorian as a way to explore what we like about Star Wars. Unsurprisingly, John is avoiding a poster, and Merlin gets schooled on the importance and greatness of Return of the Jedi. Thank goodness for our fellow fans who grew up to make new Star Wars for us.
John has qualms with Merlin's neologism and doesn't even like when people do that anyway. The summer of 1982 was wild.
Your hosts try to explain live TV to their children. Also: telephones.
(Recorded on Tuesday, November 19, 2019.)
Credits
Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf
Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
Music: Merlin Mann
The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley
Support Reconcilable Differences with a Relay FM Membership How To Make A Blockbuster Movie Trailer - YouTube Fountains of Wayne Hotline ScreenCrush - Watchmen - YouTube The Mandalorian Return of the Jedi on The Incomparable - Part 1 Return of the Jedi on The Incomparable - Part 2 Summer Movies: 1982 11 YOUTH-TARGETTED TV SITCOM FAILURES 1977-79 - YouTube Cut For Time: Gus Chiggins, Old Prospector - SNL - YouTube

Nov 14, 2019 • 1h 53min
117: That’s Not the Rigatoni
Apple TV+ is on the docket, but, first, Merlin wants to share the detailed results of his scientific Apple TV and Siri experiments.
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Links and Show Notes: Things kick off with some quick Macintosh and video game nostalgia. John redrew his sprites, and Merlin enjoyed some stolen pinball. Merlin did lots of work this week. Your hosts discuss Sayonara Wild Hearts in particular and Apple Arcade in general.
Merlin's family recently rented a very large automobile, and its various interfaces are reviewed. John declares the vehicle to be as ugly as it is large. Where is innovation welcome, and where is it mostly preferable to avoid? And what happens when that "innovation" was really just kind of a cheat?
This leads to him saying much more than "exactly one thing," and it takes much longer than the promised thirty seconds. Strap in, because this one is quite a ride.
John takes over to talk about his thoughts on the new Apple TV+ shows. Viewers and critics seem to really disagree, but John found things to like. Reviews and ratings come up again. Mikhail Baryshnikov is not the guy from Die Hard, and there is so much TV.
Damon Lindelof seems like a really smart guy. John gives a thumbs-up to The Space Show but feels like Watchmen is still walking a line. John crosses-over with Do By Friday.
(Recorded on Tuesday, November 5, 2019.)
Credits
Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf
Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
Music: Merlin Mann
The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley
Support Reconcilable Differences with a Relay FM Membership How to use Siri for hands-free Apple TV control | TechHiveA similar frustration can emerge if the Apple TV tries steering you into the wrong app for given program. After signing up for HBO through Apple TV Channels, for instance, Apple might prompt you to install HBO Go instead of launching shows directly. If this happens, grab the remote and scroll down while viewing the info page for any show until you see the “How to Watch” section. Select your preferred source, and Apple TV should remember it in the future.
Sayonara Wild Hearts Sayonara Wild Hearts by Daniel Olsén on Spotify CGP Grey - "How Machines Learn" - YouTube Reconcilable Differences #33: Survival Bucket - Relay FM Damon Lindelof on “The Business” podcast with Kim Masters The Official Watchmen Podcast BMW X7 SAV – Model overview – BMW USAThe culmination of comfort, luxury, and powerful living is embodied in the BMW X7 – the biggest BMW ever built.
Navigation Destination Input Menu | BMW Genius How-To - YouTubeLearn how to use the destination input menu in the iDrive navigation system of your BMW.
BMW ConnectedDrive - BMW USABMW ConnectedDrive integrates your BMW's intelligent interfaces, your smartphone, and other technologies to keep you aware and in control of everything going on both in your vehicle and your day-to-day life.
Tivo!, a song by Patton Oswalt on SpotifyWarning: contains coarse language and words that we don't use any more.
recdiffs apple tv experiments 2019-11-05.mdContents of Merlin's Apple TV experiments using Siri.
Upgrade #270: The Toughest Compare - Relay FMApple TV has finally arrived, and we discuss Apple's first round of new shows--as well as an unimpressive performance from the TV app itself. We've also got reviews of the new AirPods Pro, and Apple's latest financial results reveal that for the iPhone, sometimes down is up.
Confusion About What ‘The Morning Show’ and Apple TV+ Are Trying to Be, Plus: ‘Watchmen’ S1E3 | The Watch — The Watch — Overcast Rana Foroohar joins Slate Money to discuss political ads on social media, the NCAA, and the California wildfires. The Morning Show: Season 1 - Rotten TomatoesFlashy, but somewhat frivolous, The Morning Show often feels more like a vanity project than the hard-hitting drama it aspires to be -- but there is pleasure to be had in watching Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon give it their all.
Naked Consumer: How Our Private Lives Become Public Commodities: Erik Larson: 9780140233032: Amazon.com: BooksPosing as a CEO of a fictitious direct-mail corporation, Larson infiltrated companies that gather and sell personal information to assist businesses in their marketing campaigns. He discovered the systems used to gather personal data, the staggering amount of personal information companies can gather, and the government’s role in helping companies learn about you.
Mike Murphy on Twitter: "Why do car center dashboards all still look like skins for WinAmp from like 1999 https://t.co/bFjNm4bIKV" / Twitter Accidental Tech Podcast: 351: The Floor Is HighAppleTV+ initial reviews
(That's the Leftovers) | Do By FridayWith special guest, John Siracusa.

Oct 31, 2019 • 1h 43min
116: Brown Sludge Water
John has questions about Merlin's bizarre obsession with the House of Commons' Brexit proceedings.
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Links and Show Notes: John opens with some follow-up questions, and Merlin realizes it's going to be one of those episodes. John calls out Merlin's racism against his people. Both your hosts are now living the arms-free lifestyle.
Merlin has follow-up on his ongoing Siri and Apple TV experiment, and, improbably, this leads to further discussion of Cupertino's frustrating quality slide. Voice dinguses are reviewed, and IMDB is bad.
John has some water issues, and Merlin's lizard apparently has an unconventional face. Then, more with the Apple complaints. Messages is making Merlin look insane.
John has some harsh words about Merlin's Star Wars spoilers, and he doesn't even like those movies anyway. Getting tickets to the movie requires some detailed instructions, but then it ended up being unnecessary. Sometimes, it's just easier to do stuff yourself.
Avoiding spoilers is difficult, because, as stipulated, pretty much everything is a spoiler. Watchmen is lightly discussed. John's level of commitment to media he doesn't actually like is remarkable and weirdly admirable.
To be clear, John is not telling the joke, he's communicating the joke.
(Recorded on Tuesday, October 22, 2019.)
Credits
Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf
Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
Music: Merlin Mann
The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley
Support Reconcilable Differences with a Relay FM Membership

Oct 16, 2019 • 1h 40min
115: Rational Twilight
Your hosts return to their Secret Weird Things People Do project.
This episode of Reconcilable Differences is sponsored by:
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Links and Show Notes: John has some questions about productivity, and Merlin has realized the new dragon is an attractive nuisance.
Merlin has questions about his costly new chair, and John offers some further arm removal encouragement. John's flying monkeys chime in, and Merlin gets a reference in one. Merlin's family watches some Star Trek, and technical drawings are considered.
John gives Merlin some stick about his entirely proper USPS formatting. Next, John has follow-up on using the Apple TV TV TV app, and Merlin is very impressed with his results.
Believe it or not, this leads to discussion of problems with using the Apple TV. How do you click left on a diving board?
John agrees to skip talking about the new dragon for now, but, somehow, still manages to work in some side dagger.
The PG&E power debacle is discussed. Merlin assures John that his spreadsheets are safe.
You'll have to just listen and judge for yourself: are John and Merlin secretly weird?
(Recorded on Tuesday, October 8, 2019.)
Credits
Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf
Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
Music: Merlin Mann
The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley
Support Reconcilable Differences with a Relay FM Membership [PDF] 442 Gesture Chair - Control Replacement Roderick on the Line #355: The Lieutenant Colonels of Hell Why does walking through doorways make us forget? - BBC FutureForgetting why you entered a room is called the “Doorway Effect”, and it may reveal as much about the strengths of human memory, as it does the weaknesses, says psychologist Tom Stafford.
How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot: John Muir, Tosh Gregg, Peter Aschwanden: 9781566913102: Amazon.com: Books"First published in 1969, this classic manual of automotive repair equips VW owners with the practical skills to keep their Volkswagen running smoothly."
5by5 | Hypercritical #42: The Wrong Guy TextExpander abbreviation design - All this 5by5 | Back to Work #446: Charm Offensive 'A complete loss': $15,000 worth of yarn stolen in San Francisco car break-in - SFGate"The incident was every knitter's nightmare…"
Delivery Address | Postal Explorer"All capital letters."
Kobayashi Maru - WikipediaThe Kobayashi Maru is a training exercise in the fictional Star Trek universe designed to test the character of Starfleet Academy cadets in a no-win scenario.

Oct 3, 2019 • 1h 22min
114: Confronted with a Jar
In a side-door main topic, middle school is discussed, and this leads to an exploration of the value of test prep and learning how to understand and exploit systems.
This episode of Reconcilable Differences is sponsored by:
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Simple Lobby: Effortless Offer Management
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Links and Show Notes: Thanks to everyone who pitched in to raise money for St. Jude!
Your hosts talk about playing Apple Arcade games with a PS4 controller, and Merlin wants to hear John's take on the new Apple TV app functionality. John doesn't want anything to screw up his place, and Merlin never wants to watch something with the Starz app. Believe it or not, this leads to some criticisms of Apple TV.
John thinks he might be getting sick, and Merlin remembers when children were pumped full of cold medicine. John considers mixing up some placebos.
In a mini-topic, your hosts discuss Merlin's chair results. John again makes the case for removing the arms. Games are discussed a little more.
John thinks everyone needs to learn how to find food, and Merlin finally appreciates the gentle wisdom of his high school Drama teacher.
Credits
Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf
Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
Music: Merlin Mann
The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley
Support Reconcilable Differences with a Relay FM Membership


