The Illusion of Ease

TOPIC: That's Not How the Future Works.

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about evolving technology culture, the weird landscape of semi-smart devices, and why Merlin does and kinda doesn't do Getting Things Done so much anymore.

Links for this episode:

• Unjustly Maligned | "R.E.M., early" with Merlin Mann (Episode 48)
  On a day that shouldn’t exist comes a podcast equally paradoxical. Merlin Mann joins Antony to sit still, garden at night, and talk about the passion of rock band R.E.M.’s early work.
  
• Notes from Japan — Medium
  My trip to Japan was preceded by a truly neurotic amount of research and preparation. I am an anxious traveler (before this trip I became very concerned with precisely which bowls of ramen I should eat, and on which days), but fortunately I was able to channel some of my nervous energy into gathering advice from people who have actually spent time in Japan and know what they’re talking about.
  
• LiarTownUSA
  
• Terrible real estate agent photographs
  
• Rich Kids Of Instagram
  
• 70s Sci-Fi Art: atomic-chronoscaph: 1970s Lunchboxes
  1970s Lunchboxes
  
• Strange Magic (film) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• WinTV Support for Linux
  
• The Dalrymple Report: Episode 31: Lamborghini of VR
  Jim and Merlin talk about how automated technology can benefit or harm daily life, the Apple v. FBI case, and a slew of great
  
• [Animation] What Intersections Would Look Like in a World of Driverless Cars
  
• Apple confirms OS X update broke Ethernet port on some Macs, here’s how to fix | 9to5Mac
  
• eero - Finally, WiFi that works
  
• FileMaker - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• UUCP - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Caddyshack (1980) - Quotes - IMDb
  Sandy: I want you to kill every gopher on the course!Carl Spackler: Check me if I'm wrong Sandy, but if I kill all the golfers, they're gonna lock me up and throw away the key...Sandy: Gophers, ya great git! Not golfers! The little brown furry rodents!Carl Spackler: We can do that... we don't even have to have a reason.
  
• Caddyshack Kill All The Gophers - HD - YouTube
  
• LiarTownUSA - Bakersfield, California 1977-78 View-Master Reel:...
  
• Miserable Men (@miserable_men) • Instagram photos and videos
  
• Wreck This Journal: Keri Smith: 9780399533464: Amazon.com: Books
  
• Save For Web Claws
  
• Crazy Walls
  FOR WHEN A SCRAPBOOK IS NOT CRAZY ENOUGH
  
• Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity: David Allen: 9780142000281: Amazon.com: Books
  
• Pessimists Archive (@PessimistsArc) | Twitter
  Pessimistic reactions to technologies throughout history
  
• James Burke (science historian) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Connections (TV series) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• The Day the Universe Changed - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
• Ctrl-Walt-Delete: Walt and Nilay reset your router | The Verge
  After Walt's review of the Eero, the duo discuss in detail the usage of wireless systems and the surprisingly numerous devices one uses in the household with a Wi-Fi internet connection.
  
• THRASH IT OUT
  We listen to a heavy metal album, and then argue about it.
  
• 5by5 | Back to Work #95: She's Five for a Living
  This week, Dan and Merlin start a long-overdue three-part storyline on David Allen’s book, Getting Things Done.
  

Brought to you by:

• Casper (Visit Casper.com/backtowork and use the code BACKTOWORK for $50 towards your new mattress.)

• GoToWebinar (Get started with GoToWebinar today You focus on the content. GoToWebinar handles the rest. Visit the link today to learn more).

• Freshbooks (Visit the link to try FreshBooks free for 30 days and enter 'Back to Work' in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section during sign up.)

• Wealthfront (Visit wealthfront.com/5by5 to get your first $15,000 managed for free).