
        <h4>Subtitle: “I am the oven now.”</h4><p>Merlin shares his Large Appliance Results.</p>

<p>(Recorded on Tuesday, January 6, 2026)</p>
 <h4>Links and Show Notes:</h4> <h5>Credits</h5>

<ul>
<li><strong>Audio Editor</strong>: <a href="https://www.threads.net/@jmetzendorf">Jim Metzendorf</a><br></li>
<li><strong>Admin Assistance</strong>: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-provenzano-b1605085/">Kerry Provenzano</a><br></li>
<li><strong>Music</strong>: <a href="https://mastodon.social/@hotdogsladies">Merlin Mann</a></li>
<li><strong>The Suits</strong>: <a href="https://eworld.social/@ismh86">Stephen Hackett</a>, <a href="http://threads.net/imyke">Myke Hurley</a></li>
</ul>
 <h5><a href='https://relay.fm/rd/join'>Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode.</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysKhbaLyIFw" target="_blank">Get a Job - The Silhouettes (1957)</a></h5><p>Dip dip dip dip dip dip dip…</p>
 <h5><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh13Xd2loto" target="_blank">“…and that’s my trick.”</a></h5><p>Clemenza teaches Michael how to make sauce in The Godfather. </p>
 <h5><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VQAe9_LmyA" target="_blank">10 Apple TV Tips from Stephen Robles - YouTube</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_telephone" target="_blank">Princess telephone - Wikipedia</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trimline_telephone" target="_blank">Trimline telephone - Wikipedia</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNlc44nA8Ms" target="_blank">Five products so over-engineered, they're actually kinda worse, by Zack Freedman - YouTube</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weeG9yOp3i4" target="_blank">Zack Freedman’s 3D Filament Tier List - YouTube</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.crowdsupply.com/architeuthis-flux/jumperless-v5" target="_blank">Jumperless V5</a></h5><p>The next generation jumperless breadboard.</p>
 <h5><a href="https://typo.social/@colinmford/115843487686708201" target="_blank">Colin M. Ford's screenshot of the “Writing Direction” menu items’ icons in iPadOS</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.jwz.org/blog/2026/01/car-brain/" target="_blank">“The Staten Island of San Francisco” - jwz.org</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.breville.com/en-us/product/bov900" target="_blank">Merlin’s big toaster oven: the Breville BOV900BSSUSC</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.breville.com/en-us/product/bov650" target="_blank">John’s favorite toaster over: the Breville BOV650XL</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.breville.com/en-us/product/bov450" target="_blank">The smallest Breville toaster over: the BOV450XL</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Xennials/comments/1mjma2l/lawn_darts_one_of_my_earliest_memories_is_nearly/" target="_blank">Lawn Darts from the 1980s - Reddit</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerobie" target="_blank">Aerobie - Wikipedia</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raclette" target="_blank">Raclette - Wikipedia</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/sJcH4KVRmjs" target="_blank">Raclette grill mistakenly placed in the wrong orientation</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://oldtrapper.com/" target="_blank">Old Trapper beef jerky</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/fight-club/" target="_blank">Fight Club (1999)</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://despair.com/collections/demotivators" target="_blank">Demotivators from despair.com</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://despair.com/collections/demotivators/products/meetings" target="_blank">Meetings: None of us is as dumb as all of us</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwRrpCWTiOY" target="_blank">Merlin Mann: Who moved my brain? - YouTube</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://midnight-commander.org/" target="_blank">Midnight Commander</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://tautulli.com/" target="_blank">Tautulli for Plex</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Lights_(2023_TV_series)#Series_1_(2023)" target="_blank">Blu Lights (2023) season 1 - Wikipedia</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.relay.fm/downstream/107" target="_blank">Downstream #107: A Thanksgiving Visit from Alan Sepinwall</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wire" target="_blank">The Wire - Wikipedia</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicola_Coughlan" target="_blank">Nicola Coughlan - Wikipedia</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ICE2PVGgLg" target="_blank">Nicola Coughlan on The Graham Norton Show - YouTube</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Dormer" target="_blank">Richard Dormer - Wikipedia</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://trakt.tv/users/merlinmann/lists/the-troubles-northern-ireland?sort=released,desc" target="_blank">Merlin’s Trakt.tv list: The Troubles & Northern Ireland</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Si%C3%A2n_Brooke" target="_blank">Siân Brooke - Wikipedia</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Tomlinson" target="_blank">Taylor Tomlinson - Wikipedia</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelsey_Cook" target="_blank">Kelsey Cook - Wikipedia</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF8mcmRBblA" target="_blank">The Troubles, by U2 - YouTube</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/24/magazine/watching-tv-makes-you-smarter.html" target="_blank">Watching TV Makes You Smarter - The New York Times</a></h5><p>&quot;The total number of active threads equals the multiple plots of &quot;Hill Street,&quot; but here each thread is more substantial. The show doesn&#39;t offer a clear distinction between dominant and minor plots; each story line carries its weight in the mix.&quot;</p>
 <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7" target="_blank">7 - Wikipedia</a></h5><p>Most people in Continental Europe, Indonesia, and some in Britain, Ireland, Israel, Canada, and Latin America, write 7 with a line through the middle (7), sometimes with the top line crooked</p>
 <h5><a href="https://support.spotify.com/us/article/local-files/" target="_blank">Local files - Spotify</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.paperage.com/2023news/09-20-2023georgia-pacific-closing-foley-mill.html" target="_blank">Georgia-Pacific to Close Its Foley Cellulose Facility in Perry, Florida</a></h5><p>The paper mill that Uncle Bill mentioned.</p>
 <h5><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WDW8XKEGgU" target="_blank">NEVER Touch "The Cornballer" - Arrested Development - YouTube</a></h5><p>&quot;Hot! Hot! Hot!&quot;</p>

      

Merlin shares his Large Appliance Results.

(Recorded on Tuesday, January 6, 2026)

278: You’re a Dingleberry


        <p>John&#39;s new art piece leads to a discussion of accuracy and build quality in toys for grown men and sometimes children.</p>
 <h4>Links and Show Notes:</h4> <p>John&#39;s new art piece leads to a discussion of accuracy and build quality in toys for grown men and sometimes children.</p>

<hr>

<h5>Credits</h5>

<ul>
<li><strong>Audio Editor</strong>: <a href="https://www.threads.net/@jmetzendorf">Jim Metzendorf</a><br></li>
<li><strong>Admin Assistance</strong>: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-provenzano-b1605085/">Kerry Provenzano</a><br></li>
<li><strong>Music</strong>: <a href="https://mastodon.social/@hotdogsladies">Merlin Mann</a></li>
<li><strong>The Suits</strong>: <a href="https://eworld.social/@ismh86">Stephen Hackett</a>, <a href="http://threads.net/imyke">Myke Hurley</a></li>
</ul>
 <h5><a href='https://relay.fm/rd/join'>Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode.</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://mastodon.social/@hotdogsladies/115748338067053466" target="_blank">Merlin's toot: "I may have figured out why my phone keeps dimming."</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.aliexpress.us/w/wholesale-Maclock.html?osf=direct&spm=a2g0n.home.header.0" target="_blank">Maclock on Ali Express</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hatsune-Miku-action-figure-model-anime-FIGMA-removable-joint-statue-14cm-gift/12019368045" target="_blank">Hatsune Miku figurine at Walmart</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://essential-japan.com/news/taito-reveals-best-look-yet-at-upcoming-amp-frieren-figure/" target="_blank">Frieren figurine</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/ghibli/comments/mowwmr/just_finished_building_and_painting_the_bandai/" target="_blank">Hand-painted model kit of Nausicaä riding Kai - Reddit</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://essential-japan.com/news/stunning-new-figure-of-stellar-blades-eve-revealed-by-flare/" target="_blank">Stellar Blade’s Eve figurine</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://calicocritters.com/" target="_blank">Calico Critters</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.lego.com/en-us/themes/friends" target="_blank">LEGO Friends</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.lego.com/en-us/themes/creator-3-in-1" target="_blank">LEGO Creator 3in1</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego_Duplo" target="_blank">LEGO Duplo</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego_Quatro" target="_blank">LEGO Quatro</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4EFkspO5p4" target="_blank">Four-Byte Burger recreation story - YouTube</a></h5><p>Four-Byte Burger pixel art, by Jack Haegar (1985) re-digitized by Stuart Brown,</p>
 <h5><a href="http://xboxahoy.com/images/four-byte-burger.png" target="_blank">Four-Byte Burger recreation (PNG)</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheltenham_(typeface)" target="_blank">Cheltenham (typeface) - Wikipedia</a></h5><p>In 2003, The New York Times introduced a more unified Cheltenham typographic palette for its headline use in the print edition.</p>
 <h5><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UpxoCpdpeo" target="_blank">Elmo's World: Jackets (DVD Rip) - YouTube</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://corgimodelclubusa.com/products/261-james-bonds-aston-martin-d-b-6?srsltid=AfmBOoqFHdTubE1kEfE9kIoIvvS5cKMh7TKvJEannvEzFOSAMqY_eMXD" target="_blank">James Bond's Aston Martin D.B.5 (261) – Corgi Model Club USA</a></h5>
      

John's new art piece leads to a discussion of accuracy and build quality in toys for grown men and sometimes children.

277: A Comma for Christmas


        <h4>Subtitle: You can’t yell at math.</h4><p>A quick check-in on whether or not the machines are helping.</p>

<p>(<em>Recorded on Tuesday, December 9, 2025</em>)</p>
 <h4>This episode of Reconcilable Differences is sponsored by:</h4> <ul>
<li><a href="https://incogni.com/diffs">Incogni</a>: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code DIFFS with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Links and Show Notes:</h4> <p>A quick check-in on whether or not the machines are helping.</p>

<hr>

<h5>Credits</h5>

<ul>
<li><strong>Audio Editor</strong>: <a href="https://www.threads.net/@jmetzendorf">Jim Metzendorf</a><br></li>
<li><strong>Admin Assistance</strong>: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-provenzano-b1605085/">Kerry Provenzano</a><br></li>
<li><strong>Music</strong>: <a href="https://mastodon.social/@hotdogsladies">Merlin Mann</a></li>
<li><strong>The Suits</strong>: <a href="https://eworld.social/@ismh86">Stephen Hackett</a>, <a href="http://threads.net/imyke">Myke Hurley</a></li>
</ul>
 <h5><a href='https://relay.fm/rd/join'>Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode.</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.giverelay.com/" target="_blank">Get 20% off annual membership until the end of 2025!</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/bloody-sunday/" target="_blank">Bloody Sunday (2002)</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://gmpmuseum.co.uk/collection-item/the-peeler/" target="_blank">Peelers - Greater Manchester Police Museum and Archives</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.quora.com/Why-are-the-Irish-police-called-peelers" target="_blank">Why are the Irish police called peelers? - Quora</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://mileshearn.com/2019/10/01/plants-with-seeds-that-stick-to-your-clothing/" target="_blank">Plants with Seeds that Stick to your Clothing (aka burs), by Miles Hearn</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_Rogers_and_the_First_Edition" target="_blank">Kenny Rogers and the First Edition - Wikipedia</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://amzn.to/48FH97b" target="_blank">The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have Alzheimer Disease and Other Dementias</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Dormer" target="_blank">Richard Dormer - Wikipedia</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/videos/comments/6xe97e/game_of_thrones_cast_singing_tom_waits_i_hope_i/" target="_blank">Game of Thrones cast singing I Hope I Don't Fall In Love With You, by Tom Waits</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY1oeoVD_zI" target="_blank">Magic (1978) Trailer - YouTube</a></h5>
      

A quick check-in on whether or not the machines are helping.

(_Recorded on Tuesday, December 9, 2025_)

276: Fact Bobby


        <h4>Subtitle: The beginning, the beginning!</h4><p>The dog-blaming continues, and John has updates on the social component of arc raiding.</p>
 <h4>Links and Show Notes:</h4> <p>The dog-blaming continues, and John has updates on the social component of arc raiding.</p>

<hr>

<h5>Credits</h5>

<ul>
<li><strong>Audio Editor</strong>: <a href="https://www.threads.net/@jmetzendorf">Jim Metzendorf</a><br></li>
<li><strong>Admin Assistance</strong>: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-provenzano-b1605085/">Kerry Provenzano</a><br></li>
<li><strong>Music</strong>: <a href="https://mastodon.social/@hotdogsladies">Merlin Mann</a></li>
<li><strong>The Suits</strong>: <a href="https://eworld.social/@ismh86">Stephen Hackett</a>, <a href="http://threads.net/imyke">Myke Hurley</a></li>
</ul>
 <h5><a href='https://relay.fm/rd/join'>Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode.</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.giverelay.com/" target="_blank">Get 20% off annual membership until the end of 2025!</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/us/dog-shoots-owner-pennsylvania.html" target="_blank">Dog Accidentally Shoots and Injures a Pennsylvania Man, the Police Say - The New York Times</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://onefoottsunami.com/2025/11/20/dog-centered-design/" target="_blank">Dog-Centered Design - One Foot Tsunami, by Paul Kafasis</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.open.ac.uk/blogs/news/science-mct/ou-launches-wireless-button-allowing-dogs-to-control-household-appliances/" target="_blank">OU launches wireless button allowing dogs to control household appliances</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus,_King_of_the_Jews" target="_blank">INRI - Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clever_Hans" target="_blank">Clever Hans - Wikipedia</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://arcraiders.com" target="_blank">Arc Raiders</a></h5>
      

The dog-blaming continues, and John has updates on the social component of arc raiding.

275: Horse Magician League


        <h4>Subtitle: Everybody starts out with the same quarter.</h4><p>After some Follow-Up on phone dimming and naked swimming, John discusses a video game with some unusual—and possibly unintentional—social mechanics.</p>
 <h4>Links and Show Notes:</h4> <p>After some Follow-Up on phone dimming and naked swimming, John discusses a video game with some unusual—and possibly unintentional—social mechanics.</p>

<p>In this month’s member bonus segment, your hosts discuss the first two episodes of <em>Prur1bus</em> (Apple TV, 2025).</p>

<p>You can <a href="https://www.relay.fm/rd/join">sign up today</a> to hear all the member episodes, get more bonus stuff, and help support our program.</p>

<p>(<em>Recorded on Tuesday, November 11, 2025</em>)</p>

<hr>

<h5>Credits</h5>

<ul>
<li><strong>Audio Editor</strong>: <a href="https://www.threads.net/@jmetzendorf">Jim Metzendorf</a><br></li>
<li><strong>Admin Assistance</strong>: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-provenzano-b1605085/">Kerry Provenzano</a><br></li>
<li><strong>Music</strong>: <a href="https://mastodon.social/@hotdogsladies">Merlin Mann</a></li>
<li><strong>The Suits</strong>: <a href="https://eworld.social/@ismh86">Stephen Hackett</a>, <a href="http://threads.net/imyke">Myke Hurley</a></li>
</ul>
 <h5><a href='https://relay.fm/rd/join'>Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode.</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.giverelay.com/" target="_blank">Get 20% off annual membership until the end of 2025!</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://ipulseapp.com" target="_blank">iPulse - Iconfactory</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ipulse-monitor-your-device/id6474695786" target="_blank">iPulse in the Apple App Store</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v51HzZFP_Yc&t=1217s" target="_blank">Naked swimming in gym class mentioned in the pilot episode of 21 Jump St. in 1987</a></h5><p>Written by Patrick Hasburgh, who was born in 1950.</p>
 <h5><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TechnologyConnections" target="_blank">Technology Connections - YouTube</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Figaro" target="_blank">Nissan Figaro - Wikipedia</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marathon_(upcoming_video_game)" target="_blank">Marathon (2025-ish) - Wikipedia</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://arcraiders.com/" target="_blank">ARC Raiders</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpeJjQDXNAE" target="_blank">ARC Raiders trailer - YouTube</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARC_Raiders" target="_blank">ARC Raiders - Wikipedia</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nexon" target="_blank">Nexon, owner of Embark Studios, makers of ARC Raiders - Wikipedia</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluribus_(TV_series)" target="_blank">Pluribus (aka Plur1bus, aka Plurbius) - Wikipedia</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhea_Seehorn" target="_blank">Rhea Seehorn - Wikipedia</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://hypercritical.co/2019/08/08/top-gun" target="_blank">John’s post about a review of Top Gun - Hypercritical</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/pluribus-explained-vince-gilligan-rhea-seehorn-1236571666/" target="_blank">Pluribus’s log line</a></h5><p>“The most miserable person on Earth must save the world from happiness.”</p>
 <h5><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FOzD4Sfgag" target="_blank">Edgar Wright: How to Do Visual Comedy - Every Frame a Painting on YouTube</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.thecut.com/article/i-think-about-my-painting-goblin-in-the-sims-a-lot.html" target="_blank">I Think About My Painting Goblin in The Sims a Lot - Becca Schuh in The Cut</a></h5> <h5><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt5zc-HxINkpAr9Ri_qJtzklB9YK2Eunh" target="_blank">Monster Factory - YouTube</a></h5>
      

After some Follow-Up on phone dimming and naked swimming, John discusses a video game with some unusual—and possibly unintentional—social mechanics.

274: The Floor for People

John Siracusa and Merlin Mann try to figure out exactly how they got this way. Hosted by Merlin Mann and John Siracusa.

Reconcilable Differences

Details

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