Reconcilable Differences

#185: A Shirt’s Journey

June 24th, 2022 · 76 minutes

Things kick off with an immediate derail into Merlin's Apple Health data, with John noting that he never liked Statistics.

Next up, your hosts have—at least by their standards—a pretty big announcement. This leads to an appropriately in-depth exegesis into the process of making and selling a t-shirt.

Side topics include Scott Pilgrim, Jav…

#184: Back Door Preparation

June 11th, 2022 · 109 minutes

Telling strangers what you do for work, Merlin's life as a Ricky Montgomery dad, and How to Talk to People.

In our members-only bonus show: John has questions about Merlin's Bike Results, and Merlin has gotten religion about how we make cities.

Sign up today to get lots of extra stuff and to support our progr…

#183: The Pinching Opportunities

May 27th, 2022 · 111 minutes

Things kick off with a dive on the hacker mindset, black swans, corner cases, and the exception that proves the rule. Whatever that means.

This leads to a side trip into security, troubleshooting, and the difference between non-linear thinking and untethered madness.

Finally, in a conversation both sprawling and comically on-brand, your hos…

#182: Disapproval Has a Scent

May 13th, 2022 · 103 minutes

Things kick off with some discussion of food, which finds one of your hosts trying to prove with science that he tastes everything better.

Also, there is not a band or a sports team called "The Miami Giants."

Next up, John frog-marches Merlin through a check-in on his terrible sleep.

Finally, on the heels of releasing their annual [me…

#181: I Saw Your Wife

April 29th, 2022 · 135 minutes

Things kick off with an unexpected chalk talk from Merlin on the provenance of a favorite phrase as well as an even less expected history of his college's dorms.

In follow-up, John would like to clarify that he knows the difference between a TV show about pirates and a Southern California hardcore band. Merlin offers to make John a mix tape.

…

#180: I’m Doing a Lot of Stuff with Computers Right Now

April 17th, 2022 · 103 minutes

In follow-up, John has corrections for himself, but Merlin says he knew what John meant. Errors are so much easier to identify once everybody else has had a chance to see them too.

In further follow-up, both the listeners and John have some advice for Merlin on programmatically scooting Git files around on his Mac.

This week's mini-topic inv…

#179: I Believe in the System…Kind Of

March 31st, 2022 · 116 minutes

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 …

#178: Ill-Advised Fashion Muse

March 19th, 2022 · 87 minutes

In follow-up, John continues to be trolled by the announcements of television makers, and Merlin clarifies which Blu-ray box he recommends. Also, Merlin has nice things to say about the Peacock app.

As something like a main topic, John finally presents an authentic Italian-American's take on the "doing Italian food wrong" meme. Merlin wonders …

#177: I Have Dim Hopes

March 5th, 2022 · 127 minutes

Things kick off with a withering review of presentations by children.

Follow-up covers TV pricing updates alongside John's complicated entertainment-stack needs.

As a main topic, your hosts dive deep on [John's recent post about streaming video apps](https://hypercritical.co/2022/02/15/streaming-apps "Hypercritical - 'An Unsolicited Stream…

#176: The Curse of Convenience

February 19th, 2022 · 99 minutes

Merlin apologizes about the links last week, but John saves the day by picking up the tabs.

Follow-up covers listener feedback on CRI and what Gmail's little envelope means. Gmail Keyboard Shortcuts are extolled. John has an update on his Ongoing Appliance Rebellion but has nothing new to share on his Ongoing Toe Rebellion.

As a main topic…