Sketchplanations - The Podcast

Are you a slave to your possessions?Do your possessions form part of your identity?How easy is it to fall into a trap where one new purchase begets another, and another, and another...?We explore the Diderot Effect - so called after an essay written in 1769 by French philosopher, writer, and art critic who served as one of the most influential figures of the Age of Enlightenment. "Regrets On Parting With My Old Dressing Gown" details how receiving a luxurious scarlet robe as a gift made his existing belongings look shabby, sparking an out-of-control spending spiral to replace all his old furniture to match the new garment. In the episode Jono references that he first heard about it from James Clear who went on to include it in his highly successful book, Atomic Habits.Episode Summary00:00 Summer Break Notice00:51 What Is the Diderot Effect04:09 Diderot and the Dressing Gown06:05 When Stuff Owns You09:47 Our Diderot Moments13:45 Tools Cars and Tech Spirals20:23 Business Growth and Office Upgrades28:00 How to Master the Effect31:18 Final Quotes and Wrap Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a double-landlocked country you must cross at least two national borders to reach a coastline connected to the world’s oceans.In this episode we talk about the nuances of landlocked definitions (including why the Caspian Sea doesn’t count) and identify the only two double-landlocked countries: Liechtenstein, surrounded by Switzerland and Austria, and Uzbekistan, surrounded by landlocked “stans.”We talk about why ports and sea access matter for trade and geopolitics. We also explore the ideas and definitions for landlocked US states (including Nebraska as “triple landlocked”), the furthest points from the sea, disputed borders, recursive islands, and a Google Maps oddity between the Shetlands and Faroe Islands. It's definitely one for maps and geography nerds!References: Tom mentions Tim Marshall's book, Prisoners of GeographyJono also references some of his other sketches: Recursive Islands and Triple Landlocked StatesWe also reference the previous podcast episode on Antipodes for how so much of the Earth is water.Episode Summary:00:00 What Double Landlocked Means04:17 The Only Two Countries05:45 Caspian Sea and Definitions06:53 Recursive Borders in UAE08:33 Why Ports Matter12:13 Bolivia and Africa Surprise13:52 Distance From the Sea18:02 Landlocked US States Debate25:23 More Geography Oddities28:48 Shetlands to Faroes Map Quirk30:06 Closing Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This discussion centres on “overnight success” as an illusion; prompted by Jono’s sketch of Twitter Cofounder, Biz Stone’s quote: “Timing, perseverance, and 10 years of trying will eventually make you seem like an overnight success.”Using an iceberg metaphor (most work hidden below the surface), we explore how Twitter, Uber, Airbnb, GoPro, Pinterest and other “sudden” hits were built through long periods of effort, failed attempts, near-bankruptcies and luck-driven timing.Tom shares his own journey from inventing the curved nail file in 2004 to major success after winning The Apprentice, plus later product launches, illustrating visible turning points built on years of groundwork. We also look at creative fields and sport, survivorship bias, and belief, persistence, readiness, and timing.External LinksIn the conversation, we referenced these items which you can find more information on here:Our Listener SurveyBiz Stone's book: Things A little Bird Told MeJono's sketches on Iceberg Orientation & Survivorship BiasOur previous episode on Optimism BiasEpisode Summary00:00 Introduction01:13 Biz Stone Quote03:10 Iceberg Metaphor04:09 Biz Stone Backstory04:36 From Blogger to Twitter07:37 Myth of Viral Success09:59 Tom's Real World Examples12:31 Sketchplanations Slow Burn16:06 Perseverance and Belief18:52 Timing and Viral Moments20:59 The Turning Point21:35 Apprentice Timing Advantage24:43 Jono on Luck and Timing26:34 Sports Overnight Success28:42 Survivorship Bias Reality29:47 Do Overnight Successes Exist32:15 Advice Perseverance Mindset34:29 Wrap Up and Credits Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this fun and nostalgic conversation, we discuss Jono's observation that with indoor games especially, as the momentum builds, you keep playing until something gets broken!There's a cheeky inevitability to it. It's a situation we've almost all certainly been in - whether you were the protagonist or not!We share our childhood and adult stories of hallway ball games, broken lamps and mirrors, a university corridor culture of improvised sports, Nerf-gun firing ranges ending with a foam dart to the eye, and a school-trip pillow fight that took out a light fitting. The conversation expands to similar “stop conditions” in outdoor games and with sports injuries, and connects the idea to the Generalised Peter Principle: anything that works is pushed into progressively more challenging situations until it fails. What are you experiences with this?Links to items we discussed:Jono's impossible "lamp thru TV" sketch has connotations of Escher's Impossible StaircaseJono's sketch and our past podcast episode about The Peter PrincipleJono's sketch on The Generalised Peter PrincipleRob referenced a visit to the Belleek Pottery factory whilst filming in Northern Ireland.Episode Summary:00:00 Podcast popularity in USA01:12 The Indoor Games Rule02:48 Ball Games Banned04:40 Injuries End The Game08:09 Uni Corridor Games08:58 Sketch Breakdown10:37 Why Indoor Play Matters11:00 Messy Space Dreams14:02 Adult Injuries End Games14:58 Pillow Fight Lamp Smash16:05 Hide Underwater Tactic16:40 Generalized Peter Principle17:32 Sacrificial Breakables21:11 Anger Smashing Question21:44 Closing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US Navy submarine captain and author David Marquet discusses leadership lessons from turning the USS Santa Fe from worst to best, focusing on “pushing authority to information” rather than pushing information up a hierarchy. Marquet critiques industrial-age leadership language that seeks obedience and creates “bobblehead” agreement, arguing that real engagement comes from giving people decision-making authority,He also explains “distancing,” as a leadership and decision-making tool: viewing oneself from a third-person, from a different time, and/or from a different place to reduce ego and defensiveness over previous decisions. A thoroughly fascinating chat with a very talented and fun individual. External Links for items referenced in the conversation:David’s 3 books can be found here: Turn the Ship Around (+ workbook), Leadership is Language, and DistancingHere are two of many of David's talks to be found on YouTube: What is leadership? and Turn the Ship Around at the World Web ForumHere's the YouTube video of David rating submarine movies for how realistic they portray life under the waves.David talks about advice given to him by Simon SinekSome of Jono's other skecthes references in this podcast include: Solvitor Ambulando (it is solved by walking); 9 windows (problem solving tool); Anchors and Tugboats (self-talk)David talks about ultra-runner extraordinaire Courtney DauwalterSummary00:00 From Cold War Kid to Submariner03:02 Life Aboard a High-Performing Sub03:53 The Arbitrary Officer Divide04:40 Student Not "Expert"05:51 Words That Kill Curiosity08:44 What Leadership Was Taught12:37 Pushing Authority to Information16:03 Submarine Leave Approval Hack20:02 Authority in Everyday Workplaces21:59 Bias for Action and Excellence22:46 Distancing to Decide Better25:41 Put Them In Your Chair26:12 Distancing In Space & Time27:45 Inviting Feedback Culture28:52 Nine Windows Thinking Tool30:25 You Can Do It Self Talk32:28 Regret Proof Decisions38:04 Journaling Into A Book39:41 Be Your Own Coach45:50 Team Reviews Without Defensiveness47:19 Live Big Bold Lives48:14 Submarine Movies And Ambiguity50:55 Wrap Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.