June 21, 2016 at 3:30PM •
1 hour 37 minutes
TOPIC: Varieties of pain.
This week, Dan and Merlin talk about Dan's progress on building fireside.io and its imminent beta release. Lots of fascinating details on why he's made it and who it might be great for.
Then, there's discussion of the unexpected mental benefits of physical training, and the influence that various sorts of pain (real or imagined) can have on us.
June 14, 2016 at 3:30PM •
1 hour 36 minutes
TOPIC: Merlin's never sent his heartbeat.
This week, Dan and Merlin talk about some of this week's WWDC announcements, the past and future of Apple, and that awkward feeling of wondering whether and when new technology is personally relevant.
June 7, 2016 at 3:15PM •
1 hour 36 minutes
TOPIC: Fill one bag.
This week, Dan and Merlin talk about our relationship with the stuff in our lives and how overwhelming it can be. Solutions are offered—throw out that old cinnamon!
May 31, 2016 at 5:00PM •
1 hour 36 minutes
TOPIC: Disruptions in Service
This week, Dan and Merlin talk about that ineffable but growing feeling of disconnection from the collections we used to treasure. Music, Photos, Movies, Books—all the stuff we increasingly entrust to The Cloud.
Seems like there's a weird confluence of changing culture and buggy technology that makes us feel sadly meh about making everything work. And that feels weird.
Also? Don't be Randyll Tarly. That guy's a total choad.
May 24, 2016 at 4:45PM •
2 hours 8 minutes
TOPIC: True or false dilemmas?
This week, things kick off with a discussion of how to be helpful. Especially at your kid's school, but really just in general. This leads to a rumination on "roots" and what makes us feel like we're part of a community.
The main topic is about the future of machine learning, voice control, and all things "smart." What do we want, what can we imagine, and how do our own biases and habits constrain our sense of possibility?
May 17, 2016 at 4:15PM •
1 hour 42 minutes
TOPIC: Such small hands.
This week, Dan and Merlin talk about Dan's acquisition of an iPhone SE and how much he's loving it. This leads to some ruminative discussion about how we pick devices based on how we prefer to use them.
Also, some love for Spider-Man in the Civil War movie.
May 10, 2016 at 4:00PM •
1 hour 52 minutes
TOPIC: Grow what? Grow HOW?
This week, Dan and Merlin have a surprisingly passionate discussion about growth.
Companies gotta "grow," right? But…what the hell does that really even mean?
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Also, an important update on Pek Pongpaet.
May 3, 2016 at 3:30PM •
1 hour 36 minutes
TOPIC: Opinion at Scale.
This week kicks off with a confession that Dan and Merlin are increasingly less interested in coverage of Apple's finances and the related Kremlinology and blind guessing about the company. Merlin announces the unlikely product he'd love for Apple to create (and why it'll probably never happen).
Also, lots of followup on apps and services for fitness and personal tracking.
April 26, 2016 at 7:15PM •
1 hour 54 minutes
TOPIC: Finding stories and insights hiding in your data.
This week, Dan and Merlin dive deep into the new world of personal tracking. Dan has a new FitBit, and Merlin has a surprisingly complicated system involving many devices and apps. Great stuff you can try for yourself.
Also discussed: Merlin's weird cat, Deadpool, Pek Pongpaet the Professional Podcast Pundit, Alexa on Fire TV, a defense of Reed Richards, and Dan's advice on how to setup your own VPN.
April 19, 2016 at 5:15PM •
1 hour 46 minutes
TOPIC: Putting an Overt Stake in the Ground.
This week, Dan and Merlin end up talking about the surprising stuff a Fitbit can do for you. Dan even buys one.
Also, some discussion of pope hats, NASCAR, (the amazing) Screens 4, and that failing restaurant by Dan's office that kinda looks like Terminus.
