Reconcilable Differences

Finally, it's The Reconcilable Differences Quorn Pre-Post-Mortem Spectacular.

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code DIFFS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.
• Burrow: Get $75 off your Burrow purchase—plus, fast & free shipping.

Things kick off with the usual disagreements about who’s driving and who’s in the trunk, but then things briefly settle into an interrogation of the purpose behind begging for podcast ratings and reviews. Does it actually, really help new people to discover the show?

John tries to remember a song, and Merlin fondly recalls un cheval maladroit.

Next, John has some thoughts on grass and how it grows. Merlin wonders if it might be another “Trust Your Mechanic”-type situation. Both of your hosts agree it seems like there’s maybe a lesson about life in there somewhere.

Then, at last, it has come to this: The Reconcilable Differences Quorn Pre-Post-Mortem Spectacular.

While it is (obviously) way too early to talk about this business as if it’s done, it does feel like a useful moment to look back at what we’ve learned and what has changed—even as we look forward to what we might continue to learn and what might continue to change.

What BS did you miss, and what BS would you be happy to never have to deal with again? Whither handshakes and awkward hugs? When will we stop doing that weird retail crab walk? Will mask people remain mask people? Should more of us learn “the claw?”

What about subtlety and uncertainty? What about society and culture? Has the epistemological cherrypicking of The Dumb Guy just become our permanent way of life?

(Recorded on Tuesday, May 4, 2021)

• Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf
  
• Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
  
• Music: Merlin Mann
• The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley

aka "Humanity Horse"

This week, the main topic is John's Main Topic.

• Burrow: Get $75 off your Burrow purchase—plus, fast & free shipping.
• Memberful: Best-in-class membership software for independent creators, publishers, educators, podcasters, and more. Get started now, no credit card required.
• Instabug: Empower mobile teams to monitor, prioritize, and debug performance and stability issues and ship better mobile apps.

Things kick off with Merlin blowing his nose and John hearing it.

In Follow-Up, John brings us up to speed on his recent adventures in jury duty. Merlin has thoughts on what we can infer from a drug tester who keeps sipping meth from the big control jug.

Next, John is (yet—further) trolled by the jackals who make announcements about their future TVs. Merlin wonders if maybe John should just learn to weld.

(Recorded on Tuesday, March 22, 2022)

• Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf
  
• Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
  
• Music: Merlin Mann
• The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley

Merlin Mann returns to the show to discuss the election, by which I mean we mostly talk around the election. I hope we never do another show again with such heavy hearts, but whatever you think about this election, I think you’ll like this show.

Spicier version of Hot Chicken Flavor RamenExperience extremely spicy chicken flavor ramen!

Regent Law Professor James Duane gives viewers startling reasons why they should always exercise their 5th Amendment rights when questioned by government officials.

In this video we discuss 5 reasons why you should never talk to the police.

How memory breaks.

• Burrow: Discover the new Outdoor Collection. Get 10% off your first order.

Things kick off with Merlin's noisy electronic livestock and a frustrating health update from John. Whose family now hates him.

In Follow-Up, Mr. Siracusa provides his son with a correction on The Novocaine Story, which leads to a digression into how John's dad writes text messages........

This ends up providing a great segue into the main topic: how memory breaks, and how we try to address it.

Because, as you quickly realize, many memories involve other people who have—well—different memories. But, also, why did I go to the garage, because I'm pretty sure I went there for a reason.

For this month's members-only bonus show, your hosts talk about artsy-fartsy video games like Life is Strange and What Remains of Edith Finch

You can sign up today to hear all the member episodes, get more bonus stuff, and, yes, support our program.

(Recorded on Monday, March 6, 2023)

• Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf
  
• Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
  
• Music: Merlin Mann
• The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley

The podcast episode about the misremembered broken arm.

It's barely SIX pages long. Read it!

It's time for Holiday Results, which somehow includes strong opinions on labeling leftovers, preparing strawberries, and sweating "le mot juste." Also, ponies are considered.

• Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.
• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code DIFFS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
• Burrow: Get 10% off your first order.

Merlin is pretty proud of his dinner, but John has questions about the dressing situation. Merlin may not understand how skiing works.

In Follow-Up, John shares more voices from the past, and your hosts confront an escalating international rift about the existence of a facial expression.

• Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf
  
• Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
  
• Music: Merlin Mann
• The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley

A documentary on how Los Angeles has been used and depicted in the movies.

Like all good mystical experiences, it happened in Vegas.

John has watched 204 films rated ★★1⁄2 .

What's a thing you had as a kid that you kind of wish your kids could've had?

• Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code DIFFS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Things kick off with Merlin pressing John for some candid advice on a new affectation he's been considering. John is certain that using a Dremel is not actually part of Merlin's job, but Merlin's not so sure. Photos of Mr. Miyazaki are reviewed.

In Follow-Up, John has some toe updates. Mere moments after swearing he's not going to make noises and recoil, Merlin makes several noises and recoils.

Next up, John's favorite band announces a new project to release a bunch of cover versions of songs from their back catalog. This leads to a surprisingly wide-ranging discussion of a music industry that continues to evolve quickly and which now seems to necessitate an entirely new kind of creativity.

This week's member episode is already one of Merlin's favorites, so it's being included here so everybody can check it out.

Is it ahistorical to wish your progeny had gotten to see an epic baseball lineup? What exactly might happen if you tried to recreate your own free-range childhood? Did having less information lead to a deeper understanding of context and the parameters of the world? And, which kinds of community and scarcity feel elusive or even just irreproducible today?

If you'd enjoy hearing more from John and Merlin, we hope you'll consider becoming a supporter of the program.

And, hey. Thanks for sticking around through 200 of these things.

(Recorded on Tuesday, January 10, 2023)

• Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf
  
• Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
  
• Music: Merlin Mann
• The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley

"It's only advice for you because it had to be advice for me."

"THE CREATIVE PROCESS IN 43 HAYAO MIYAZAKI SCREENGRABS"

14 Pete Rose

Morgellons is not well understood, but the general medical consensus is that it is a form of delusional parasitosis, on the psychiatric spectrum.