Your hosts finally discuss The Apparatus.

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Links and Show Notes:

Things kick off with some Billy Joel talk. Merlin thinks he's hearing double, but John's not so sure. Anyway, be sure to hang that graduation on the wall.

In follow-up, John shares a listener's collection of colorful zipper nudges from around the world. Next, Merlin's kid continues to unintentionally learn how to do computer things. The legends and lore of YouTube engagement strategies are considered.

This week's main topic is The Apparatus. In which your hosts investigate a fascinating and evolving contraption that appeared in Merlin's neighborhood.

Things wrap with some anecdotes about places in Merlin's neighborhood where people have made numbers one and two in gross, anti-social ways.

(Recorded on Tuesday, May 13, 2025)

Credits

• Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf
  


• Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano
  


• Music: Merlin Mann


• The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley

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Billy Joel - "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" (Glass Houses, 1980)

Billy Joel's Allentown vs. Levittown vs. Bethlehem

“He thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts.”

On My Own, as sung by Kaho Shimada

The best version of On My Own, according to John. It's from Les Misérables (Highlights from the Complete Symphonic International Cast Recording)

Les Misérables (Highlights from the Complete Symphonic International Cast Recording)

ATP Top Four: Game Consoles

The Apparatus

Makeshift AC outlet adapter meme

What Roy Wood was capable of. | Everybody's a critic. | Flickr

Merlin's kid has a history of forging technological desire paths.

"Dah."