\n
![\"\"](\"https://annabrones.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/make-a-one-page-zine.jpg?w=700&h=467\")
Sam overviews her recent problem solving endeavours including poop spatulas and pods for your ears. While deliberating on friction in our lives and how to remove it, we mention...
\n\nOur intrepid explorers consider the world's many overlooked and dissapearing organisms, and how to think about changing environments while making more of what is already around us. Along the way, Sam and Simon mention:
\n\nGames are fun. Work... not so much. Sam and Simon reconnect after many aeons spent not speaking on the internet to talk about games, and why they're fun and important in a way that work isn't and is. Along with other stuff. Things mentioned in this episode:
\n\nSam and Simon are together in a room, for a change, and discuss the impact of artificial intelligence, existential crises, and a range of other topics. Along the way they mention:
\n\nHow to fold a zine:
\n
From trippy breath work to commanding a robot army, Sam and Simon are getting ready for a super weird future with its various perils. While discussing their battle strategy they mention:
\n\n(Thanks for the album art, DALL·E 2)
","summary":"Sam and Simon talk to and about AIs about AIs, breathing, and kak people threatening our collective future.","date_published":"2022-12-07T05:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/533e7c64-b235-4329-8afb-8e38097179af.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":28249197,"duration_in_seconds":3531}]},{"id":"2207874c-5db0-4de1-bb7c-4f9adabe9b12","title":"Loop","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/64","content_text":"Simon reads Sam a poem and our intrepid duo considers the best ways in which to treat our future selves, the tensions that keep life balanced, pros and cons of social media, and myriad other thingies. Along the way they mention: \n\n\nSwan by Mary Oliver\nTwitter's impending doom\nNo One Is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood\nTomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin\nReplay by Ken Grimwood\nStutz\nBreath:The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor\n","content_html":"Simon reads Sam a poem and our intrepid duo considers the best ways in which to treat our future selves, the tensions that keep life balanced, pros and cons of social media, and myriad other thingies. Along the way they mention:
\n\nSam and Simon explore identity, how we change ourselves for each other, and what it means to push for making things better while appreciating the way things are. It's complicated. Along the way they mention:
\n\nSam's robotic brain and Simon's tin heart contemplate practices such as writing, running, meditating - or antyhing else that curiously calls you to do it for its own sake - and what these commitments mean and ask from us as they curiously make their way into the other parts of our lives. Along the way they mention:
\n\nWhat gives things value, and how much should we be worried about that? Sam and Simon discover that everything is rubbish, and along the way mention:
\n\nProlific heat-thieves Sam and Simon talk about keeping shit together on this sixtieth episode of Take Back the Day. Things mentioned in this episode:
\n\nWhen do we self-sabotage? How do we break out of cycles? Can we form new habits? Why did Sam choose to move to a frigid, muddy island off the coast of Europe? We ponder all these questions and more in this episode of Take Back the Day, and along the way we mention:
\n\nYo yo yo. It's another episode of Sam and Simon Speak on the Internet™, bitches! In this episode they touch on:
\n\nSam and Simon are making new things, and talking about it on the internet. Some of the things they mention along the way:
\n\nSam and Simon discuss the contents of their bug (or go) bags and what's needed to survive the apocolypse. They also discuss our incredible ability to make things normal, and how careful we have to be about what we allow to become regular things.
\n\nStuff mentioned in this episode:
\n\nSam and Simon are extremely locked-down, and explore what this is teaching them. Some of the things mentioned in this episode:
\n\nSam and Simon had a conversation on the internet after a very long time of not doing so. They examine the reality of this crazy alternate timeline the world has slipped into where sentient cheetohs seemingly run the galaxy and staying at home to play video games all day is sanctioned.
\n\nSome of the cool, cool things we mention in this episode:
\n\nWe'll probably talk on the internet again.
","summary":"Be alone together.","date_published":"2020-04-10T09:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/a227c551-2d90-48c0-8069-39044319bbdb.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":23588338,"duration_in_seconds":1965}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:59d634eb49fc2b1e317f01dc","title":"Tiny","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/53","content_text":"Sam and Simon have started a business! With EACH OTHER! It's made them contemplate the joys of tiny ambitions, tiny spaces, and caring about tiny problems.Also howzit, American friends. Y'all okay over there? Things seem pretty bleak. We're sending cuddles.Things we talk about in this episode:Being an entrepreneur is 90% doing adminBusiness science is astrologyThe few things Simon can't live without: Levis 510s, Superga sneakers, and his Samson Go MicSam Harris talking to Scott Adams about TrumpThe Nintendo SwitchHow the US Army uses Sci-fi movies to recruit peopleUlysses, Sam's favourite writing app, and iBooks AuthorThe Economy, an economics textbook for the 21st CenturyThe trailer for Blue Planet II\n \n Motivation consists not of massive bursts of inspiration but instead finding joy in little everyday activities.\n \n — @dailyzen on Twitter\n","content_html":"Sam and Simon have started a business! With EACH OTHER! It's made them contemplate the joys of tiny ambitions, tiny spaces, and caring about tiny problems.
Also howzit, American friends. Y'all okay over there? Things seem pretty bleak. We're sending cuddles.
Things we talk about in this episode:
\n “Motivation consists not of massive bursts of inspiration but instead finding joy in little everyday activities.”
\n
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/7030216.gif\")
","summary":"Start tiny. Think big.","date_published":"2017-10-09T08:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/6e7825fe-e161-4795-b6d3-1c40333f3ef5.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":19483052,"duration_in_seconds":2421}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:586f7b0c59cc6846625038d4","title":"Cabin","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/52","content_text":"Sam and Simon kick off the year from a wuthering height (Cape Town summer is hella windy, yo) to discuss their intentions for 2017, and their best discoveries from 2016. Simon also tells us why he's planning to build himself a remote cabin in the woods (with high-speed broadband).Discussed in this episode:Tim Ferris discussing his end of year ritual to focus on the things that actually matter, and making \"not to do\" lists.Scott Adams, How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big.Freakonomics Radio podcast, A still fascinating 2011 New Yorker profile about that billionaire vampire, Peter Thiel.The (like, only) good thing South Africa did in the 80s: voluntarily dismantled our nukes (probably for terrible reasons, but still).And our favourite things of the year:Two fascinating DAO projects: Wings and BitNation.Neil Gaiman's Sandman: Overture.Adventure Time.Glorious Trainwrecks.Twine.The Hamilton musical.bell hooks, Feminism is for Everybody.\n","content_html":"Sam and Simon kick off the year from a wuthering height (Cape Town summer is hella windy, yo) to discuss their intentions for 2017, and their best discoveries from 2016. Simon also tells us why he's planning to build himself a remote cabin in the woods (with high-speed broadband).
Discussed in this episode:
And our favourite things of the year:
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/5096826.gif\")
","summary":"Thoughts on a new year.","date_published":"2017-01-07T11:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/cbb3567e-2fdb-4768-ae18-6ebff72ced44.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":15850511,"duration_in_seconds":1966}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:583bf80db3db2bd3af5efd1c","title":"Busyness","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/51","content_text":"We think 2016 could've tried harder. Disheartened as we are, this episode looks at the up and downiness of a strange few months, and whether the world is really getting stupider. We also manage to talk about some productivity stuff. Charlie Brooker’s yearly ScreenwipeEven Kanye is mentally beleagueredLe Tigre.The Village SquareAlain de Botton's plan for secular churchesThe World Until Yesterday by Jared DiamondTom Waits stopped drinking a long time agoSushi Go! (the board game)Exploding Kittens & Bears vs Babies (the other board games)Google PhotoscanModernist poetry in generalRefly EditorCollaboration on Keynote\"The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that, 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'.” -Isaac Asimov","content_html":"We think 2016 could've tried harder. Disheartened as we are, this episode looks at the up and downiness of a strange few months, and whether the world is really getting stupider. We also manage to talk about some productivity stuff.
"The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that, 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'.” -Isaac Asimov
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/4866234.gif\")
","summary":"Staying up in a down world.","date_published":"2016-11-28T12:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/3ac970ac-30a8-4396-9a77-721592b036a2.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":31040157,"duration_in_seconds":1901}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:578d234f725e25fb4eaf7859","title":"Allergens","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/50","content_text":"Simon and Sam talk about all the things Pokemon Go can teach us about life, why you should beware of weird unlabelled food products, and the virtues of deliberately exposing yourself to things that are bad for you.Plus! Hear our friend Jono Hall reading out a bit of his short story, first published on our Medium collection, Drippy Fun Times. Send us your stories too!Things we talk about on this episode:How it's weird when old Apartheid generals give you PokeballsThe Dresden Files - an RPG that makes real life more fantasticalThe Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris - which, fuckit, we still think is kinda smartThe Lean Startup by Eric ReisRuss Fujioka's fun article about Pokemon and MillenialsThe 2014 April Fool's Day video from Google that gave us a sneak peak of Pokemon Go without us realisingThe Code: Numbers, Shapes and Predictions - a documentaryI'm a Strange Loop by Douglas HofstadterGabriel Weinberg's excellent list of Mental ModelsThe strange subreddit, \"Insightful Squirrel Men\"The NSFW subreddit, \"Library Girls\"Minitel, France's version of the Internet before the Internet was a thingThe Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber BUT DON'T READ ANY BLURBS JUST READ THE BOOKMoney From Nothing by Deborah James \n\n <img class=\"thumb-image\" data-image=\"https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/578d27a1f7e0aba5209bd4f2/1468868525943/minitel.jpg\" data-image-dimensions=\"576x402\" data-image-focal-point=\"0.5,0.5\" alt=\"minitel.jpg\" data-load=\"false\" data-image-id=\"578d27a1f7e0aba5209bd4f2\" data-type=\"image\" src=\"https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/578d27a1f7e0aba5209bd4f2/1468868525943/minitel.jpg?format=1000w\" /><img src=\"http://feedpress.me/10510/3917037.gif\" height=\"1\" width=\"1\"/>\n","content_html":"Simon and Sam talk about all the things Pokemon Go can teach us about life, why you should beware of weird unlabelled food products, and the virtues of deliberately exposing yourself to things that are bad for you.
Plus! Hear our friend Jono Hall reading out a bit of his short story, first published on our Medium collection, Drippy Fun Times. Send us your stories too!
Things we talk about on this episode:
<img class="thumb-image" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/578d27a1f7e0aba5209bd4f2/1468868525943/minitel.jpg" data-image-dimensions="576x402" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="minitel.jpg" data-load="false" data-image-id="578d27a1f7e0aba5209bd4f2" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/578d27a1f7e0aba5209bd4f2/1468868525943/minitel.jpg?format=1000w" /><img src="http://feedpress.me/10510/3917037.gif" height="1" width="1"/>\nPredicting the future is a chump's game. Going back into history and seeing what they thought the future (i.e. now) would look like, is the best reminder that we have no idea about anything. Join Sam and Simon as they discuss the joys of being a perpetual beginner, how much fun it is to be a Swiss Army Person, admitting we don't know shit about shit, and how our alien overlords are likely to punish us if global politics keep going the way they're going.
Things we talk about:
<img class="thumb-image" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/577e2534b8a79b350eeffddb/1467884873912/helicopter" data-image-dimensions="800x1270" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="In the future, there will be HELICOPTERS FOR EVERYBODY! Except, you know, women." data-load="false" data-image-id="577e2534b8a79b350eeffddb" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/577e2534b8a79b350eeffddb/1467884873912/helicopter?format=1000w" />\n\n\n\n\n\n <p>In the future, there will be HELICOPTERS FOR EVERYBODY! Except, you know, women.</p><img src="http://feedpress.me/10510/3846375.gif" height="1" width="1"/>\nImportant news: come write short stories with us over at Drippy Fun Times on Medium. We want your stories!
In a conversation that sounds like it's fuelled by caffeine and PCP, Sam and Simon talk about why they're so distracted all the time. They debate why context switching is so bad for you, and whether there's anything we can do to focus more on what matters. Featuring a lot of talk about rats and strange music genres.
Things we talk about:
PS: if you live in Cape Town, Simon and I want to take you out for a beer. No, really. Tweet us at @simondingle or @greenhamsam to let us know you're keen and we'll find a time. BOOM.
\n\n <img class="thumb-image" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/575a85b9859fd0d3e36e9d86/1465550271736/ratpark" data-image-dimensions="600x424" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="The famous "Rat Park" mentioned in this episode. Go check out the full comic by Stuart McMillen over here . It's rad." data-load="false" data-image-id="575a85b9859fd0d3e36e9d86" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/575a85b9859fd0d3e36e9d86/1465550271736/ratpark?format=1000w" />\n\n\n\n\n\n <p>The famous "Rat Park" mentioned in this episode. Go check out the full comic by Stuart McMillen <a target="_blank" href="http://www.stuartmcmillen.com/comics_en/rat-park/">over here</a>. It's rad.</p>\n
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/3574943.gif\")
","summary":"One thing at a time.","date_published":"2016-06-10T10:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/fbeb07b6-4e9c-4706-ac27-cfb7943aee7c.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":29374201,"duration_in_seconds":1795}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:574d4b78b09f953f29835d5a","title":"Real","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/47","content_text":"OMG GUYS LET'S WRITE SOME STORIESSimon and Sam challenge you all to a short story writing competition! All you need to do is write your story on Medium and post a link to it in the comments. We're going to make a collection on Medium. If we love your story we'll read a bit of it out loud on our next podcast. Do eeet! You have until next Tuesday. Whenever next Tuesday might be for you.In this very drippy episode, Sam and Simon consider whether we might be living in a video game. We talk about whole mind simulation, Rick & Morty, keeping it real, and debate whether or not humans might ever forget how plumbing works. Again.Things we talk about:Power, Sex, Suicide: Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life by Nick Lane.This article proving that we know nothing about how weight loss works.Wait But Why writing about Cryonics.The Playboy interview with Ray Kurzweil. Simon reads it for the articles.The philosophical brilliance of Rick & Morty.Whether Jake from Adventure Time is super-creepy.The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.The Dot Spot by Dorothy Black.Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom.J. G. Ballard books. All of them, but specifically Concrete Island.Two of the best short stories ever, \"The Last Question\" and \"The Last Answer\" by Isaac Asimov.\n \n We aren’t fleshy bags of magic. We’re fleshy bags of bacteria.”\n \n — Simon Dingle\n\n\n","content_html":"OMG GUYS LET'S WRITE SOME STORIES
Simon and Sam challenge you all to a short story writing competition! All you need to do is write your story on Medium and post a link to it in the comments. We're going to make a collection on Medium. If we love your story we'll read a bit of it out loud on our next podcast. Do eeet! You have until next Tuesday. Whenever next Tuesday might be for you.
In this very drippy episode, Sam and Simon consider whether we might be living in a video game. We talk about whole mind simulation, Rick & Morty, keeping it real, and debate whether or not humans might ever forget how plumbing works. Again.
Things we talk about:
\n “We aren’t fleshy bags of magic. We’re fleshy bags of bacteria.””
\n
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/3486241.gif\")
","summary":"Are you a simulation?","date_published":"2016-05-31T11:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/59589276-0270-4067-93eb-727ba19ca2f8.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":26497266,"duration_in_seconds":1616}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:56c2a882d210b85521c2cddf","title":"Generations","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/46","content_text":"Simon's back in London-town again where he's avoiding Sam's hugs, so we spoke on the internet about the weird way we classify humans into generations, and what makes this generation's work prospects different. Or maybe exactly the same.The definition of a \"Millennial\" (Sam speculates it has something to do with belly chains)Proof that old people have been complaining about young people forever Montage of Heck, that Kurt Cobain documentary Gen X's like Charles Bukowski's letter to John Martin about the lie of the 9 to 5Entrepreneurship without capital, and rent-seeking legislation that tries to stop itIs Bitcoin about to fail? Simon gives us an update.Octodad: Dadliest Catch - a game of deception and tentaclesConstruct 2 - an easy way for non-developers to make gamesOn Writing: Charles BukowskiSandman: Overture by Neil GaimanHITRECORD - Jason Gordon Levitt's new internet experiment ","content_html":"Simon's back in London-town again where he's avoiding Sam's hugs, so we spoke on the internet about the weird way we classify humans into generations, and what makes this generation's work prospects different. Or maybe exactly the same.
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657674.gif\")
","summary":"Belly-chains and yoyos","date_published":"2016-02-22T14:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/b08ffee2-c0d7-43f6-8b55-9a689d7ebd71.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":15883596,"duration_in_seconds":1906}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:5641b95be4b067d513f50fb6","title":"Whatever","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/45","content_text":"The only thing we can be sure of is that we don't know anything. So, isn't it weird that everyone pretends to be so sure of what they're doing with their life when you meet them at a braai? This leads Sam and Simon down a conversation rabbit hole involving consciousness, language and how to train your washing machine.\"Screw Finding Your Passion\" - an excellent short read by Mark MansonThings boytjies talk about while they're grilling animal flesh over an open flameWaitButWhy on how Elon Musk does amazing thingsHow to answer the question, \"So, what do you do?\"SelfLife, the religion Simon's kid invented (which is super profound)Life in the Mediterranean, and why people live so long in the Blue ZonesEpicureanism's four principles of happiness (the \"Tetrapharmakos\") Mindfulness and the spectrum of consciousness your own brain is capable ofThe amazing interactive version of Nam Lee's story, \"The Boat\"Join the hunt to find out what happened to the refugee boat that went missing on the Mediterranean, Ghost BoatGoogle's open sourced machine learning project, TensorFlow, also, WTF is machine learning?Chomsky on how the brain learns grammarWelcome to your Brain by Sandra Aamodt and Sam Wang \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n This is the washing machine you heard in the background of the episode. That's Simon on the left, Sam on the right, and a creepy demon child that's possessing Simon's flat on the floor. \n \n\n\n \n ... ‘Not knowing’ is the whole fucking point. Life is all about not knowing, and then doing something anyway. All of life is like this. All of it. And it’s not going to get any easier just because you found out you love your job cleaning septic tanks or you scored a dream gig writing indie movies.\n \n — Mark Manson\n","content_html":"The only thing we can be sure of is that we don't know anything. So, isn't it weird that everyone pretends to be so sure of what they're doing with their life when you meet them at a braai?
This leads Sam and Simon down a conversation rabbit hole involving consciousness, language and how to train your washing machine.
![\"This](\"https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/5641c093e4b0e386da4b858b/1447149718422/washingmachine?format=1000w\")
\n \n \n\n \n \n This is the washing machine you heard in the background of the episode. That's Simon on the left, Sam on the right, and a creepy demon child that's possessing Simon's flat on the floor.
\n \n\n
\n
\n “... ‘Not knowing’ is the whole fucking point. Life is all about not knowing, and then doing something anyway. All of life is like this. All of it. And it’s not going to get any easier just because you found out you love your job cleaning septic tanks or you scored a dream gig writing indie movies.”
\n
\n
\n![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657479.gif\")
Sam and Simon talk about food. Sam's trying a Soylent diet because Veganism is really hard. Simon thinks she's crazy and food is delicious. We talk about why yeast is fascinating, and Katy Perry's boobs. Warning: this episode might make you hungry.
Stuff mentioned in this show:
![\"Photo](\"https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/55d202fee4b0232c1e4802d6/1439826688139/giant-chickens?format=1000w\")
\n \n \n\n \n \n Photo : Zuidhof, MJ, et al. 2014 Poultry Science
\n \n\n\n “Don’t save what is left after spending; spend what is left after saving.”\n\n
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657481.gif\")
","summary":"Food.","date_published":"2015-08-18T13:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/a9298bea-4b20-45f5-bc23-28b8792bf475.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":14109334,"duration_in_seconds":1680}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:55b73893e4b05e492e57be6b","title":"Mars","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/43","content_text":"One day all humanity is going to be wiped off the face of the planet. What do we do when it does? In this episode, Sam and Simon talk about getting to Mars, doomsday scenarios and the things we want to learn about the world before we all die.The Apple watch, and it's one rad feature (sending heartbeats).How Slack has finally killed email, through the superpower of PIVOTING.What are Bloom Filters, and What is Code, and how we should try to understand the lego blocks that make up our world.XKCD 505, and making computers out of rocks.Pluto is sexy. The science that got a camera there is even sexier.The giant tsunami that's going to wipe out the west of America, and how we can't seem to do anything about doomsday scenarios.The dozen different apps Simon uses to try to wrangle his to-do lists.What we'd do to get onto Mars-One.The Martian by Andy Weir, and Leo Laporte's wonderful interview with him.The Sunrise calendar app.The great Photoshop versus Sketch debate.Sam's new favourite podcast, Mortified podcast.Triggerfish's Storylab contest for screenwriters who want to make films about Africa. Which are sorely needed. Because Adam Sandler.\n \n Physics. It will happen to you.\n \n — Simon Dingle\n","content_html":"One day all humanity is going to be wiped off the face of the planet. What do we do when it does? In this episode, Sam and Simon talk about getting to Mars, doomsday scenarios and the things we want to learn about the world before we all die.
\n “Physics. It will happen to you.”
\n
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657483.gif\")
","summary":"Mars is a go.","date_published":"2015-07-28T17:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/ad9bd466-313d-42a0-9397-08be608c36d6.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":15144057,"duration_in_seconds":1815}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:555c66eae4b08935b3a12ea6","title":"Vikings","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/42","content_text":"When we're less afraid to fail, we end up doing more radical stuff. Simon and Sam have a conversation about badassery, Mad Max, lady vikings, and what we can learn from companies that made giant epic failures. Also, you can find out what Simon would do if he had powers of invisibility.Stuff we talk about:Simon's podcast mistress, Binary (it's awesome, give it a listen)Anything You Want by Derek SiversFranschhoek Literary Festival and why traditional publishing is stupidSuper Friendship Arcade and awesome indie gamesGiant Google failures like Wave and GlassGiant Apple failures like the Newton, Maps and PingMad Max is the most bestest thing ever and it's making the MRA menz madMagic Leap is making something magical and we wish we knew what it wasBadass warrior women of history #ladydespotLizards that reproduce without man-lizards. The blogging platform Ghost ","content_html":"When we're less afraid to fail, we end up doing more radical stuff. Simon and Sam have a conversation about badassery, Mad Max, lady vikings, and what we can learn from companies that made giant epic failures. Also, you can find out what Simon would do if he had powers of invisibility.
Stuff we talk about:
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657485.gif\")
","summary":"When we're less afraid to fail, we end up doing more radical stuff. Simon and Sam have a conversation about badassery, Mad Max, lady vikings, and what we can learn from companies that made…","date_published":"2015-05-21T16:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/8b118a06-55c8-4b18-be44-14a1c85c030c.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":12979292,"duration_in_seconds":1603}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:5552fbe3e4b01424fe4131fc","title":"Robotic","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/41","content_text":"We've reached the point where our technology speaks to us. But does that software have enough to say? When will we be able to build artificial intelligence with personality? And is everything getting more bland because the teams who make things are too big?These and many other questions go completely unanswered when Simon and Sam have a conversation about robotic personalities and constraints on our creativity. Things we talk about: Siri should be weirderAn online version of Jorge Luis Borges' Library of BabelWhy don't more artist types get involved with technologyThe best ever Twitter account, Horse eBooks (Sam knows it was fake but doesn't care)The movie HerBlack Mirror Season 2 Episode 1, \"Be Right Back\"Why the need for merchandising made Avengers: Age of Ultron so badBenedict Cumberbatch reading Kafka's Metamorphosis makes Sam's panties explodeAnother movie about robots with personality, Ex Machina What you can learn from film-makers about how to run your company betterRelated: how the principles of Agile programming can help you run your family better Assembly: a platform that helps to co-ordinate project-based virtual teamsTwo great dice-based games: StoryCubes and Zombie Dice\n \n Twitter can fuck off.\n \n — Sam\n","content_html":"We've reached the point where our technology speaks to us. But does that software have enough to say? When will we be able to build artificial intelligence with personality? And is everything getting more bland because the teams who make things are too big?
These and many other questions go completely unanswered when Simon and Sam have a conversation about robotic personalities and constraints on our creativity.
Things we talk about:
\n “Twitter can fuck off.”
\n
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657487.gif\")
","summary":"Of intelligence and constraints...","date_published":"2015-05-13T12:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/0e9b6f68-b485-4371-90de-f33eb12cda8b.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":12553568,"duration_in_seconds":1491}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:5523ab5ae4b00f941ace26e7","title":"Workspace","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/40","content_text":"Is the space you're working in making you dumber? Or is that just one of many other excuses we tell ourselves about why we're not getting stuff done? Sam and Simon discuss workspaces and serendipity this week. Also, why Sam secretly wants to join the German navy (her reason involves existentialism, not seamen). Stuff mentioned in this episode:The magic of PrestikDoes having more light in a room make you more productive? Apparently it might make you more productive, but less creative.Shingy, AOL's ridiculous digital \"visionary\" who took the desk out of the CEO's office at AOLWhy Steve Jobs obsessed about where to build the bathrooms at PixarBarking Up the Wrong Tree on why having other people around might make you more productiveThe secret lives of bored German navy officesMike Rowe in a fascinating Ted Talk about Dirty JobsAmy Wrzesniewski's research indicating that how you feel whether your job is meaningful is probably more about you than about the actual job you're doingBrent Schlender's Becoming Steve Jobs and the cargo cult of SteveData-driven decision making versus following your gutThe incredible story about how one man became an accidental celebrity in China, which led to a chat about Sino Weibo and how social networks have lost the ability to foster serendipitous connections\n \n You don’t follow your passion, you bring it with you.\n \n — Lakey Peterson\n","content_html":"Is the space you're working in making you dumber? Or is that just one of many other excuses we tell ourselves about why we're not getting stuff done? Sam and Simon discuss workspaces and serendipity this week. Also, why Sam secretly wants to join the German navy (her reason involves existentialism, not seamen).
Stuff mentioned in this episode:
\n “You don’t follow your passion, you bring it with you.”
\n
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657489.gif\")
","summary":"Is it your environment making you awesome?","date_published":"2015-04-11T09:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/3f1edd47-5b15-4242-b2c3-a32e1352c8ea.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":15410386,"duration_in_seconds":1843}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:550fc68ee4b02bbdcb5898f4","title":"Shared","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/39","content_text":"A weird Meerkat experiment in which Sam and Simon try live-streaming their conversation, and discuss how we act differently when we're being observed. It's all very meta.Stuff mentioned in this episode:SxSW is happening, so expect new connected toilets any day nowActual meerkats, and why they're awesome, and why you should watch Meerkat Manor, a meerkat soap operaThe Hawthorne EffectSelfie sticksThe first rule of UX Design: \"Don't Make Me Think\" - hat-tip to Steve KrugHearthstoneSurgeon Simulator: the game, but more importantly, the videos of other people playing the gameSam's secret obsession with videos of people squeezing pimples (no link supplied, go Google it yourself YOU FREAKS)A 100 person LARP of Hamlet in DenmarkAfrikaBurn and ephemeral experiencesWhy Ideocracy is wrong and people are actually getting smarterSnapchat Discover and what this means for how news is changing (again)Timeline, Vox and cribnotes for the newsBlinkist, for 15 minute versions of non-fiction booksSlack: the email killer\n \n It is said that your life flashes before your eyes just before you die. That is true, it’s called Life.\n \n — Terry Pratchett\n\n\n <img class=\"thumb-image\" data-image=\"https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/550fce15e4b03f089fb9fca5/1427099163281/animal-naked-mole-rat_367992.jpg\" data-image-dimensions=\"1800x1273\" data-image-focal-point=\"0.5,0.5\" alt=\"Yet another picture of a naked mole rat. You know you wanted it.&nbsp;\" data-load=\"false\" data-image-id=\"550fce15e4b03f089fb9fca5\" data-type=\"image\" src=\"https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/550fce15e4b03f089fb9fca5/1427099163281/animal-naked-mole-rat_367992.jpg?format=1000w\" />\n\n\n\n\n\n <p>Yet another picture of a naked mole rat. You know you wanted it. </p><img src=\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657491.gif\" height=\"1\" width=\"1\"/>\n","content_html":"A weird Meerkat experiment in which Sam and Simon try live-streaming their conversation, and discuss how we act differently when we're being observed. It's all very meta.
Stuff mentioned in this episode:
\n “It is said that your life flashes before your eyes just before you die. That is true, it’s called Life.”
\n
<img class="thumb-image" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/550fce15e4b03f089fb9fca5/1427099163281/animal-naked-mole-rat_367992.jpg" data-image-dimensions="1800x1273" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="Yet another picture of a naked mole rat. You know you wanted it.&nbsp;" data-load="false" data-image-id="550fce15e4b03f089fb9fca5" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/550fce15e4b03f089fb9fca5/1427099163281/animal-naked-mole-rat_367992.jpg?format=1000w" />\n\n\n\n\n\n <p>Yet another picture of a naked mole rat. You know you wanted it. </p><img src="http://feedpress.me/10510/2657491.gif" height="1" width="1"/>\nWe all believe honesty is generally a good thing, right? But we all agree to keep secrets, whether for our country or for the company we work for. Sam and Simon think this is bullshit. Honesty surfaces data, and helps people to make better decisions.
Except if there's an axe murderer coming to kill a member of your family. Then we think maybe lying isn't a terrible idea.
In other news: hey, we launched a Patreon page! If you like what we do, we'd be grateful if you could support us. This will help us to create more betterer podcasts, and one day move into a room without a taxidermied duck in it.
Stuff mentioned in this episode:
![\"Alfred](\"https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/550825ffe4b0761a0eed7270/1426597451006/alfred?format=1000w\")
\n \n \n\n \n \n Alfred the Goose of Terror. Look at the CLAWS on his WINGS.
\n \n\n![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657493.gif\")
This week we cast our doubts in the direction of resolutions and the underwhelming challenges that humans set themselves. Can we stick to our plans and what are ways to game our psychology and do the right things when we really have to? Part of the secret, we decide, is being disagreeable…
Stuff mentioned in this episode:
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657495.gif\")
","summary":"How to win when we can't stick to anything.","date_published":"2015-01-12T15:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/205997c5-1287-4af9-9154-fe125078ccd8.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":16428184,"duration_in_seconds":2040}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54d24014e4b0bdc62013b0d0","title":"Mindful","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/36","content_text":"Sam and Simon get together in one of South Africa’s oldest theatres to discuss mindfulness and being present in the shit that you’re doing while you’re doing it.Stuff mentioned in this show:Mindball – the lack of thinking game thing.Sam Harris’s talk about Free Will at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas in 2012.The Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett.Korea.Leo Laporte’s awesome interview with Phil Libin, CEO of Evernote, on Triangulation.Radiolab’s amazing Decoding the Void episode.Why Nations Fail by by Daron Acemoğlu, James Robinson.Evernote Context.","content_html":"Sam and Simon get together in one of South Africa’s oldest theatres to discuss mindfulness and being present in the shit that you’re doing while you’re doing it.
Stuff mentioned in this show:
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657497.gif\")
","summary":"Being present as you do what you do.","date_published":"2014-12-05T15:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/67ec3582-53ee-43ec-8198-3e94973dcc8c.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":13886156,"duration_in_seconds":1722}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54d24075e4b09fd8a1775c33","title":"Oxytocin","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/35","content_text":"Why do we trust people and what makes them trust us? Is it a magical process of magicness or a flow of chemicals we can control once we understand it? After a long hiatus, Sam and Simon decided to have another conversation on the internet about the things that make us trust and how to work with or against them…Stuff mentioned in this episode:The Moral Molecule: the new science of what makes us good or evil by Paul J ZakThinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel KahnemanThe elephant and the rider thing, part of the Happiness HypothesisOryx and Crake by Margaret AtwoodCrash Course by John GreeneSlate’s Working podcast.","content_html":"Why do we trust people and what makes them trust us? Is it a magical process of magicness or a flow of chemicals we can control once we understand it? After a long hiatus, Sam and Simon decided to have another conversation on the internet about the things that make us trust and how to work with or against them…
Stuff mentioned in this episode:
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657499.gif\")
","summary":"Why do we trust and can we control it?","date_published":"2014-11-04T15:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/b071fde5-5bac-405e-b86a-6427df504784.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":16761716,"duration_in_seconds":2081}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54d240b8e4b052944b15698b","title":"Connections","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/34","content_text":"Sam is in the USA. She met Barack Obama. Yes, that one. And we’re not even joking. In this episode we look at the connections people share with other people and how astonishingly useful they can be.The president of the galaxy – who Sam met.Beginner’s Mind.Six degrees of Kevin Bacon.Essentialism by Greg McKeown.Fuck it by John Parkin.Awesome Tapes from Africa – for discovering obscure but awesome music.Trello – for organising all the things.Creativity Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Ed Catmull.Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace.","content_html":"Sam is in the USA. She met Barack Obama. Yes, that one. And we’re not even joking. In this episode we look at the connections people share with other people and how astonishingly useful they can be.
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657501.gif\")
","summary":"The surprisingly useful connections people share.","date_published":"2014-08-07T16:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/63bc6596-defc-4dbc-9f50-6f6bb0dbe136.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":13237689,"duration_in_seconds":1641}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54d240fce4b0cdda72d469f0","title":"Quit","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/33","content_text":"Just quit. You know what we’re talking about – that job you hate… the relationship that’s tanking. Just stop. Say no. Follow Sam’s example and give it up.The many change-proofing systems surrounding cognitive dissonance.The super-smart Daniel Kahneman.The Bassline.Failure is not a cause for celebration.Thingful – find anything in the world that is also on the internet.Apple’s new Swift programming language.The secret cottage Simon doesn’t want you to know about so he can go there whenever he wants.Fuck: An Irreverent History of the F-Word by Rufus Lodge.","content_html":"Just quit. You know what we’re talking about – that job you hate… the relationship that’s tanking. Just stop. Say no. Follow Sam’s example and give it up.
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657503.gif\")
","summary":"You know it's not working. So stop.","date_published":"2014-06-08T16:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/8723268a-9d0e-420e-a09b-4b61ed3bd436.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":13462720,"duration_in_seconds":1669}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54d24156e4b01036e3c67785","title":"Motions","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/32","content_text":"Do you need an idea before you create something, or does going through the motions of creating something precede the idea? Sam and Simon reach some conclusions.Stuff mentioned in this episode:Slate’s podcasts, including Gabfest.Stephen King’s On Writing: A memoir of the craft, again.Salmon-wrestling in the Yemen, our smart friend Jono’s comic.Derek Sivers and his book, Anything you want.Zombie Dice.Paper by FiftyThree.A picture of Macaulay Culkin wearing a t-shirt with a picture of Ryan Gosling wearing a t-shirt that has a picture of Macaulay Culkin.Party Monster.Afrika Burn where Sam spoke to god and Simon saw some fire.How Sound – the backstory to great radio storytelling.The largest vocabulary in hip hop.Undercurrent – the organisation Sam referred to. \n\n <img class=\"thumb-image\" data-image=\"https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/54d24204e4b0c5340ae6dafa/1423065619817/MacaulayCulkin\" data-image-dimensions=\"634x613\" data-image-focal-point=\"0.5,0.5\" alt=\" Macaulay Culkin wearing a t-shirt with a picture of Ryan Gosling wearing a t-shirt that has a picture of Macaulay Culkin\" data-load=\"false\" data-image-id=\"54d24204e4b0c5340ae6dafa\" data-type=\"image\" src=\"https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/54d24204e4b0c5340ae6dafa/1423065619817/MacaulayCulkin?format=1000w\" />\n\n\n\n\n\n <p> </p><p><strong>Macaulay Culkin wearing a t-shirt with a picture of Ryan Gosling wearing a t-shirt that has a picture of Macaulay Culkin</strong></p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n <img class=\"thumb-image\" data-image=\"https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/54d24268e4b081a6640b0e61/1423065764343/popeye\" data-image-dimensions=\"1024x683\" data-image-focal-point=\"0.5,0.5\" alt=\" And Popeye. Not so full of iron.\" data-load=\"false\" data-image-id=\"54d24268e4b081a6640b0e61\" data-type=\"image\" src=\"https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/54d24268e4b081a6640b0e61/1423065764343/popeye?format=1000w\" />\n\n\n\n\n\n <p> </p><p><strong>And Popeye. Not so full of iron.</strong></p><img src=\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657505.gif\" height=\"1\" width=\"1\"/>\n","content_html":"Do you need an idea before you create something, or does going through the motions of creating something precede the idea? Sam and Simon reach some conclusions.
Stuff mentioned in this episode:
\n\n
<img class="thumb-image" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/54d24204e4b0c5340ae6dafa/1423065619817/MacaulayCulkin" data-image-dimensions="634x613" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt=" Macaulay Culkin wearing a t-shirt with a picture of Ryan Gosling wearing a t-shirt that has a picture of Macaulay Culkin" data-load="false" data-image-id="54d24204e4b0c5340ae6dafa" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/54d24204e4b0c5340ae6dafa/1423065619817/MacaulayCulkin?format=1000w" />\n\n\n\n\n\n <p> </p><p><strong>Macaulay Culkin wearing a t-shirt with a picture of Ryan Gosling wearing a t-shirt that has a picture of Macaulay Culkin</strong></p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n <img class="thumb-image" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/54d24268e4b081a6640b0e61/1423065764343/popeye" data-image-dimensions="1024x683" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt=" And Popeye. Not so full of iron." data-load="false" data-image-id="54d24268e4b081a6640b0e61" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/54d24268e4b081a6640b0e61/1423065764343/popeye?format=1000w" />\n\n\n\n\n\n <p> </p><p><strong>And Popeye. Not so full of iron.</strong></p><img src="http://feedpress.me/10510/2657505.gif" height="1" width="1"/>\nIn this episode Sam and Simon discuss getting computers to do and say things for you, so you don’t have to.
Stuff mentioned in this episode:
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657507.gif\")
","summary":"Get computers to do stuff for you.","date_published":"2014-04-23T07:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/c31e728b-69b4-49ba-86e6-e9a7f45e1362.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":15417774,"duration_in_seconds":1867}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54d30c2ee4b08b02e2504093","title":"Measurebation","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/30","content_text":"You may have figured out how to get data about stuff, but that doesn’t make it important. Or does it? This week Sam and Simon discuss tracking things, the value of conferences and some other stuff too…Stuff discussed in this conversation:NOT Sam’s life.Good Morning in Stockholm – probably Simon’s favourite conference.Design Indaba, which is not being attended by either of us.Marissa Mayer with her fabulous clothes and massive, data-driven brain.Rory Sutherland and the cult of measurebation.Fitbit that Simon pretends to draw data insights from.Her – an amazing movie about technology getting creepy.Ray Kurzweil with his massive brain.Evernote’s Post-It integration that Sam uses to catalogue her entire life.Flappy Braille – in which you can play Flappy Birds in your browser’s address bar.Sarien where you can play classic adventure games.We don’t sell saddles here by Stewart Butterfield – who is also responsible for Slack.How much my novel cost me by Emily Gould.Mark Andreessen‘s predictions for the news industry.","content_html":"You may have figured out how to get data about stuff, but that doesn’t make it important. Or does it? This week Sam and Simon discuss tracking things, the value of conferences and some other stuff too…
Stuff discussed in this conversation:
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657509.gif\")
","summary":"Beware what you measure...","date_published":"2014-03-03T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/02efe56f-329d-4f56-b911-6cb60c15ae11.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":15764988,"duration_in_seconds":1910}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54d30ca4e4b04ea9b330f409","title":"Pointless","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/29","content_text":"The dichotomy of productivity is that you have to spend a lot of time doing nothing in order to do other stuff well. In this conversation Sam and Simon explore the quest for pointless activities. Stuff mentioned in this episode:The ridiculous cost of sportses, and how it impedes our progress as a species.Bertrand Russell, who had a lot to say about doing nothing.The Pomodoro Technique.The 4-hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss.The elephant and rider problem from the Happiness Hypothesis.Freedom for Productivity, which keeps Sam off the internets when she needs to do stuff.Mihály Csíkszentmihályi‘s Flow psychology.Hemingway – Simon’s new favourite writing tool.George Orwell’s Politics and the English Language.The Count Censored.Nyancoin – our new official currency. And Dogecoin. Because Homestar Runner.Momentum for Chrome.Slaan daardie slang.","content_html":"The dichotomy of productivity is that you have to spend a lot of time doing nothing in order to do other stuff well. In this conversation Sam and Simon explore the quest for pointless activities.
Stuff mentioned in this episode:
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657511.gif\")
","summary":"Doing necessary things well.","date_published":"2014-02-14T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/4f7b7aa4-8767-40ca-bd55-fafb15ebff59.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":15921506,"duration_in_seconds":1930}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54edeaf7e4b0666a3b7dcef3","title":"Sport","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/28","content_text":"According to your parents, you can do anything. This sort of over-compensating encouragement presents a number of challenges for adults doing stuff in the world. Sam and Simon discuss this and other things.Stuff mentioned in this conversation:Google’s gay doodle.Sherlock.Carol S. Dweck.Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin.NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman.Benjamin McLane Spock.Vladimir Putin.Krav Maga.Sochi’s hotel disaster.Mitchell and Webb’s Football, Football, Football and also Peep Show.Zen Pencils.Slack: Be less busy.22seven for Android.Buzzfeed.\n","content_html":"According to your parents, you can do anything. This sort of over-compensating encouragement presents a number of challenges for adults doing stuff in the world. Sam and Simon discuss this and other things.
Stuff mentioned in this conversation:
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657513.gif\")
","summary":"Thinking you're bad can make you good...","date_published":"2014-02-09T15:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/4b59bc2a-e7d7-4c36-887a-f9c45444a775.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":15048818,"duration_in_seconds":1821}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54edebfee4b0c5c6b2adf51b","title":"Magic","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/27","content_text":"Does the world happen to you or do you happen to the world? In this week’s conversation Sam and Simon ponder the power of stories and how what we tell ourselves not only affects us, but the people around us too. It’s all science, and very magical…Stuff mentioned in this conversation:The Mindscape of Alan Moore.The flâneur pops up again.The disputed history of the suit.‘The Secret’ – one of those books that doesn’t deserve a link. Because woo bullshit.David McRaney’s You Are Not So Smart blog. Again.Kevin Smith’s Smodcast endeavour and the Fat Man on Batman episode with Grant Morrison.Todoist – Sam’s favourite todo-list thingy.Neil Gaiman and Joss Whedon on the legacy of Buffy.\n","content_html":"Does the world happen to you or do you happen to the world? In this week’s conversation Sam and Simon ponder the power of stories and how what we tell ourselves not only affects us, but the people around us too. It’s all science, and very magical…
Stuff mentioned in this conversation:
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657515.gif\")
","summary":"Does the world happen to you or do you happen to the world?","date_published":"2014-01-27T15:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/f08eba17-5d45-4804-ac07-837b4626a882.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":15766706,"duration_in_seconds":1910}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54edecb9e4b0d65dc01a1eb0","title":"Why","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/26","content_text":"Why do we do things? And when we’ve done them, why must we share them? These seem like trivial questions because they probably are, but Sam and Simon must discuss. And share.Stuff mentioned in this conversation:HubSpot’s Blog Topic Generator.Sam’s blog-type thing.Simon’s un-blog on Medium.David McRaney’s very successful blog.Kurt Vonnegut, but actually David Foster Wallace.‘O Superman’ by Laurie Anderson.Cobook.How sleep clears all the shit out your brain.Segmented sleep.Richard Mulholland’s blog post about Creatives.\n\n","content_html":"Why do we do things? And when we’ve done them, why must we share them? These seem like trivial questions because they probably are, but Sam and Simon must discuss. And share.
Stuff mentioned in this conversation:
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657517.gif\")
","summary":"Why do we do things?","date_published":"2014-01-20T15:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/393837e5-a479-4cc5-8df0-29004c00526f.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":14702090,"duration_in_seconds":1777}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54eded6ee4b0165bdd08fe58","title":"Subsist","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/25","content_text":"Money, and the stories we tell ourselves about it and everything else around us, is the focus of conversation this week.Stuff mentioned in this conversation:Bitcoin and Simon’s Bitcoin article.Mark Boyle, the Moneyless Man and an interview with him.La Digue island in the Seychelles.You Are Now Less Dumb by David McRaney.Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely.Nassim Taleb, the Twitter curmudgeon.The Storytelling Animal by Jonathan Gottschall.David Blaine’s Real or Magic.The Renamer.\n \n The three most harmful addictions are heroin,carbohydrates, and a monthly salary. \n \n — Maybe Nassim Taleb\n\n\n\n","content_html":"Money, and the stories we tell ourselves about it and everything else around us, is the focus of conversation this week.
Stuff mentioned in this conversation:
\n “The three most harmful addictions are heroin,carbohydrates, and a monthly salary. ”
\n
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657519.gif\")
","summary":"Money, and the stories we tell ourselves...","date_published":"2014-01-12T15:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/c18396b9-1971-4299-96dd-6954ffbaa8cb.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":16205929,"duration_in_seconds":1965}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54edee33e4b035a09db339c0","title":"Resolutions","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/24","content_text":"Will making a resolution take you anywhere except sad? In our first episode of 2014 Sam and Simon look at resolutions and routines, getting smarter with who you are so you can find the best way to work. Happy new year Stuff we mentioned in this episode:How we spend our days is how we spend our lives on Brain Pickings.Nassim Taleb’s Antifragile.Automattic.King of Tokyo and Richard Garfield.The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work by Alain de Botton.The Pylon Appreciation Society.Workflowy.","content_html":"Will making a resolution take you anywhere except sad? In our first episode of 2014 Sam and Simon look at resolutions and routines, getting smarter with who you are so you can find the best way to work. Happy new year
Stuff we mentioned in this episode:
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657521.gif\")
","summary":"Do new year resolutions work?","date_published":"2014-01-05T15:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/ba3b9248-f0ec-446b-a2e1-e5fb35408531.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":14276026,"duration_in_seconds":1724}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54edeea4e4b08f2aaf4965da","title":"Right","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/23","content_text":"Doing what’s right can be difficult when the world is offering you easy rewards for doing the wrong thing. This week Sam and Simon remember Nelson Mandela in their discussion of sticking to your guns, turning enemies into partners and just plain doing the right thing.Stuff mentioned in this episode:Al Jazeera English – online news streaming with no strings attached.Nelson Mandela. Our mascot for doing what’s right.We mentioned Jarred Diamond. Again. For writing The World Until Yesterday.The Fox and the Flies by Charles van Onselen.Bjork’s explanation of how television works.Isabella Rossellini’s Green Porno.GTA V.Summoner Wars. So good. And Richard Mulholland for introducing us to it.Fortune and Glory.King of Tokyo and Richard Garfield.\n","content_html":"Doing what’s right can be difficult when the world is offering you easy rewards for doing the wrong thing. This week Sam and Simon remember Nelson Mandela in their discussion of sticking to your guns, turning enemies into partners and just plain doing the right thing.
Stuff mentioned in this episode:
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657523.gif\")
","summary":"Doing right when wrong gets rewarded.","date_published":"2013-12-06T15:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/bd95e4bc-543a-4f0f-9eed-27e2b06bc28c.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":16105690,"duration_in_seconds":1953}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54edef17e4b021b682d754a9","title":"Multitask","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/22","content_text":"Could you, should you, do more than one thing at a time? Sam and Simon aren’t convinced its possible and discuss the best way to tackle a bunch of things that need doing.Stuff mentioned in this episode:Japan, specifically Sapporo.Gmail’s new features.The Shallows by Nicholas Carr.Flipboard for finding awesome stuff on the internet.Feedly for curating awesome stuff you find on the internet.RescueTime for trying, and probably failing, to take control of your time.FitBit.Workflowy.How to Create a Mind by Ray Kurzweil.Lily Looking Through.","content_html":"Could you, should you, do more than one thing at a time? Sam and Simon aren’t convinced its possible and discuss the best way to tackle a bunch of things that need doing.
Stuff mentioned in this episode:
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657525.gif\")
","summary":"The case for not focusing.","date_published":"2013-12-02T15:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/53d4e6d9-3f33-441e-acc2-b2508d3b48f0.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":17597288,"duration_in_seconds":2139}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54edef64e4b021b682d75662","title":"Accolades","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/21","content_text":"Will winning awards elevate your career to the next level? This week’s conversation looks at being a corporate contrarian and questions the sanity of your virtual CV.Stuff mentioned in this episode:The Bookmarks Awards.Mobile World Congress.A bunch of social networking sites that really don’t need more traffic.Path. Where Simon gets close.Mxit. Sam isn’t sold.Neil Gaiman.Sir David Attenborough.How to interact with the introverted. \n\n <img class=\"thumb-image\" data-image=\"https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/54edefa3e4b0978eebcf2fcc/1424879525543/eminemnm\" data-image-dimensions=\"640x400\" data-image-focal-point=\"0.5,0.5\" alt=\"eminemnm\" data-load=\"false\" data-image-id=\"54edefa3e4b0978eebcf2fcc\" data-type=\"image\" src=\"https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/54edefa3e4b0978eebcf2fcc/1424879525543/eminemnm?format=1000w\" />\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n <img class=\"thumb-image\" data-image=\"https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/54edefb8e4b009db0200bc37/1424879546575/introversion\" data-image-dimensions=\"540x1348\" data-image-focal-point=\"0.5,0.5\" alt=\"introversion\" data-load=\"false\" data-image-id=\"54edefb8e4b009db0200bc37\" data-type=\"image\" src=\"https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/54edefb8e4b009db0200bc37/1424879546575/introversion?format=1000w\" /><img src=\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657527.gif\" height=\"1\" width=\"1\"/>\n","content_html":"Will winning awards elevate your career to the next level? This week’s conversation looks at being a corporate contrarian and questions the sanity of your virtual CV.
Stuff mentioned in this episode:
<img class="thumb-image" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/54edefa3e4b0978eebcf2fcc/1424879525543/eminemnm" data-image-dimensions="640x400" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="eminemnm" data-load="false" data-image-id="54edefa3e4b0978eebcf2fcc" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/54edefa3e4b0978eebcf2fcc/1424879525543/eminemnm?format=1000w" />\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n <img class="thumb-image" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/54edefb8e4b009db0200bc37/1424879546575/introversion" data-image-dimensions="540x1348" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="introversion" data-load="false" data-image-id="54edefb8e4b009db0200bc37" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961/t/54edefb8e4b009db0200bc37/1424879546575/introversion?format=1000w" /><img src="http://feedpress.me/10510/2657527.gif" height="1" width="1"/>\nPerception is reality a lot of the time, especially where ideas and working with information is involved. This week Sam and Simon talk about managing perceptions and dragging reality along for the ride.
Things mentioned in this episode:
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657529.gif\")
","summary":"Managing the perceptions that are reality...","date_published":"2013-11-10T15:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/e9b0e4e3-9b4b-4c5a-b85b-815742ebdb2f.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":17295345,"duration_in_seconds":2101}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54c3e35be4b059aa67c2d27f","title":"Placebo","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/19","content_text":"What you put in your body directly affects your moods and ability to do stuff. In this episode Sam and Simon discuss getting to know your body and how to prime it for pure awesomeness. Turns out beer might have a place in your productivity diet - and, of course, coffee.\nStuff and people mentioned in this episode:Varenicline that Sam is using to stop smoking.Champex. Not a medicine.23andMe genetic testing.Bonk by Mary Roach.Sophia Wallace.Comedian Simon Amstell.Your brain on coffee vs. beer.This Will Make You Smarter by John Brockman.What Is Your Dangerous Idea?by John Brockman.How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big by Scott Adams.The Walking Dead - a great TV show based on an awesome comic.Breaking Bad - another great TV show that Simon watched after everyone else.","content_html":"What you put in your body directly affects your moods and ability to do stuff. In this episode Sam and Simon discuss getting to know your body and how to prime it for pure awesomeness. Turns out beer might have a place in your productivity diet - and, of course, coffee.
\nStuff and people mentioned in this episode:
![\"\"/](\"http://s3.amazonaws.com/ilovecoffee-img/uploads/beercoffee/beercoffee.png\" "\\"\\"")
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657531.gif\")
","summary":"Prime your body for awesomeness. ","date_published":"2013-11-02T07:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/130f98bc-b418-49a3-b4eb-f60479c6f18f.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":14850332,"duration_in_seconds":1796}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54c3e35ae4b059aa67c2d279","title":"Memex","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/18","content_text":"Sam and Simon materialise in closely proximate time and space for an actual, real person discussion about goals and systems, democracy in the workplace, memory devices and other curious things. It's all happening.\nStuff mentioned in this episode:\n\n\nBrain Pickings.\nHow to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life by Scott Adams.\nAs We May Think by Vannevar Bush.\nThe Blood episode of Radiolab.\n23andMe.\nSex, Death and The Meaning of Life by Richard Dawkins.\nGoogle and Calico.\n","content_html":"Sam and Simon materialise in closely proximate time and space for an actual, real person discussion about goals and systems, democracy in the workplace, memory devices and other curious things. It's all happening.\nStuff mentioned in this episode:
\n\n![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657533.gif\")
","summary":"In living colours.","date_published":"2013-10-29T14:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/48a13857-53e7-4571-862f-6c643b2919ad.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":17162863,"duration_in_seconds":2085}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54c3e359e4b059aa67c2d273","title":"Motivation","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/17","content_text":"Going through the motions is easy, but making sure you get to the things on the back seat of your to-do list is difficult. Sam and Simon discuss diary-blocking, the danger of meetings and other stuff in this episode.\nStuff discussed in this episode:\n\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw-0hhoJLUo","content_html":"Going through the motions is easy, but making sure you get to the things on the back seat of your to-do list is difficult. Sam and Simon discuss diary-blocking, the danger of meetings and other stuff in this episode.\nStuff discussed in this episode:
\n\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw-0hhoJLUo
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657534.gif\")
","summary":"Going through the motions","date_published":"2013-10-20T15:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/73a46c13-52d2-4db9-8c20-324a63b6acc5.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":15673259,"duration_in_seconds":1899}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54c3e358e4b059aa67c2d26c","title":"Size","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/16","content_text":"When does big become too big? How do you stay nimble and avoid groupthink as your company grows? These are amongst Sam and Simon's ponderings this week as Take Back The Day returns from hiatus. They also discuss entrepreneurial competitiveness, innovation in Africa and why Kenya rocks right now.\nPEOPLE\n\nErik Hersman\nMalcolm Gladwell\nNassim Taleb\n\nBOOKS\n\nDavid and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell\n\nORGANISATIONS\n\nDimension Data\niHub\nJoziHub\nContextuall\n\nOTHER STUFF\n\nDunbar's number\nThe two-pizza rule","content_html":"When does big become too big? How do you stay nimble and avoid groupthink as your company grows? These are amongst Sam and Simon's ponderings this week as Take Back The Day returns from hiatus. They also discuss entrepreneurial competitiveness, innovation in Africa and why Kenya rocks right now.\nPEOPLE
\n\nErik Hersman\nMalcolm Gladwell\nNassim Taleb
\n\nBOOKS
\n\nDavid and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell
\n\nORGANISATIONS
\n\nDimension Data\niHub\nJoziHub\nContextuall
\n\nOTHER STUFF
\n\nDunbar's number
\nThe two-pizza rule
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657535.gif\")
","summary":"When does big become too big? How do you stay nimble and avoid groupthink as your company grows? These are amongst Sam and Simon's ponderings this week as Take Back The Day returns from hiatus. They…","date_published":"2013-10-13T22:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/cbbfeb81-95e7-4040-abe1-fd573ce29e27.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":14334198,"duration_in_seconds":1731}]},{"id":"15e5b6b9-707c-460c-a6a8-95daee9d5bdd","title":"Flânerie","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/15","content_text":"When the people you're working with have trouble with the way the world works now - is it your job to tell them? Maybe. Sam and Simon discussed this a bit. And also flânerie… ing. You know, sauntering about.\n\nStuff mentioned in this episode:\n\n\nThe Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton M. Christensen.\n\n\nGAMES\n\n\nGone Home.\nWar for the Overworld.\nAlone in the Dark.\n\n\nAnd the Flâneur.\n\n","content_html":"When the people you're working with have trouble with the way the world works now - is it your job to tell them? Maybe. Sam and Simon discussed this a bit. And also flânerie… ing. You know, sauntering about.
\n\nStuff mentioned in this episode:
\n\nGAMES
\n\n\n\nAnd the Flâneur.
\n\n![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657536.gif\")
Digital clutter makes its way into Sam and Simon's discussion again this week, starting with music and ending with... you guessed it... books. Join us for an attack on the things that own us. And hear hadidas. And some synths.\nStuff mentioned in this episode:
\n\n\n\n
BOOKS
\n\nThe Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.\nThe Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman.\nOn Writing by Stephen King.
\n\nPEOPLE
\n\nLauren Beukes.\nCharles Bukowski.
\n\nOTHER STUFF
\n\nSimfy for streaming music.
\nCalibre e-book management.
\nWhat Is the Business of Literature by Richard Nash.
\nThe Portable Dandy app for iOS.
\nEvernote.
\nAudible.
\nAudiobus.
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657537.gif\")
","summary":"Digital clutter makes its way into Sam and Simon's discussion again this week, starting with music and ending with... you guessed it... books. Join us for an attack on the things that own us. And…","date_published":"2013-09-06T12:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/24bd35bd-272d-477f-b59d-21a41b7a8d64.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":16523607,"duration_in_seconds":2005}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54c3e354e4b059aa67c2d244","title":"Mathematical","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/13","content_text":"We don't know where we are or entirely what we are and we're hurtling through space on a rock that will be consumed by the Sun one day. We think there might be better things to worry about than making spreadsheets. In this episode Sam and Simon indulge in some science and a lot of other things.\nMentioned in this episode:\n\nBOOKS\nThe Road to Reality by Roger Penrose.\nThe 4% Universe by Richard Panek.\nNothing by Frank Close.\nEinstein by Walter Isaacson.\nThe Disappearing Spoon by Sam Spoon.\nHis Dark Materials by Philip Pullman.\n\nSTUFF\nThe Claude Debussy 151st Birthday Google Doogle.\nThe Feynman Lectures and other awesome audio on Audible.\nElon Musk's fine explanatory skills.\n\nXKCD 1240.\n\n\n\nElon Musk and Sir Richard Branson Hangout.\n\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy9y_YSpYxA\n\nRadiolab's Mirror, Mirror episode.","content_html":"We don't know where we are or entirely what we are and we're hurtling through space on a rock that will be consumed by the Sun one day. We think there might be better things to worry about than making spreadsheets. In this episode Sam and Simon indulge in some science and a lot of other things.\nMentioned in this episode:
\n\nBOOKS\nThe Road to Reality by Roger Penrose.\nThe 4% Universe by Richard Panek.\nNothing by Frank Close.\nEinstein by Walter Isaacson.\nThe Disappearing Spoon by Sam Spoon.\nHis Dark Materials by Philip Pullman.
\n\nSTUFF\nThe Claude Debussy 151st Birthday Google Doogle.\nThe Feynman Lectures and other awesome audio on Audible.\nElon Musk's fine explanatory skills.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/quantum_mechanics.png\")
Elon Musk and Sir Richard Branson Hangout.
\n\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy9y_YSpYxA
\n\nRadiolab's Mirror, Mirror episode.
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657538.gif\")
","summary":"We don't know where we are or entirely what we are and we're hurtling through space on a rock that will be consumed by the Sun one day. We think there might be better things to worry about than…","date_published":"2013-08-24T12:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/91c90d83-f3a0-49ef-99d4-3fe748f8b357.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":16773198,"duration_in_seconds":2036}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54c3e353e4b059aa67c2d23e","title":"Talent","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/12","content_text":"Working with the best - whether you're hiring or hoping to be hired - is the topic of the conversation this week. More or less. Sam and Simon talk about talent and how to find it, along with partridge hunting and some other stuff.\nThings mentioned in this episode:\n\nWe spent a whole lot of time talking about the The Hybrid Traits Model.\n\nBOOKS\nTalent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin\nThe Examined Life - Stephen Grosz\nThe Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt\nNurtureshock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman\nThe 7 Day Weekend and Maverick by Ricardo Semler\n\nMOVIES\nFight Club.\n\nSTUFF\nMedium.\nFutureLife.","content_html":"Working with the best - whether you're hiring or hoping to be hired - is the topic of the conversation this week. More or less. Sam and Simon talk about talent and how to find it, along with partridge hunting and some other stuff.\nThings mentioned in this episode:
\n\nWe spent a whole lot of time talking about the The Hybrid Traits Model.
\n\nBOOKS\nTalent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin\nThe Examined Life - Stephen Grosz\nThe Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt\nNurtureshock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman\nThe 7 Day Weekend and Maverick by Ricardo Semler
\n\nMOVIES\nFight Club.
\n\nSTUFF
\nMedium.
\nFutureLife.
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657539.gif\")
","summary":"Working with the best - whether you're hiring or hoping to be hired - is the topic of the conversation this week. More or less. Sam and Simon talk about talent and how to find it, along with…","date_published":"2013-08-16T16:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/58ed072f-5647-4dd8-b7e9-e7d0f2732e75.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":18924578,"duration_in_seconds":2305}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54c3e352e4b059aa67c2d238","title":"Routine","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/11","content_text":"Whether you use brown M&Ms to spot-check your stage rig or need to make sure Monday mornings are always dandy, routine is important in a planning-not-plans kind of way. Sam and Simon discuss getting it together in this episode.\nOther stuff mentioned:\n\nEVENTS\n\nOppikoppi was on Sam's radar last week. Totally.\n\nBOOKS \n\nSimon mentioned The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande.\n\nLINKS\n\nNational Geographic's Tattoo Emporium of science-related tattoos.\n\nSam mentioned some amateur's with their tattoos of Darwin's Finches and has a thing for Claudia Hammond.\n\nWe also decided that Euler's Identity is the most beautiful equation ever. ","content_html":"Whether you use brown M&Ms to spot-check your stage rig or need to make sure Monday mornings are always dandy, routine is important in a planning-not-plans kind of way. Sam and Simon discuss getting it together in this episode.\nOther stuff mentioned:
\n\nEVENTS
\n\nOppikoppi was on Sam's radar last week. Totally.
\n\nBOOKS
\n\nSimon mentioned The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande.
\n\nLINKS
\n\nNational Geographic's Tattoo Emporium of science-related tattoos.
\n\nSam mentioned some amateur's with their tattoos of Darwin's Finches and has a thing for Claudia Hammond.
\n\nWe also decided that Euler's Identity is the most beautiful equation ever.
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657540.gif\")
","summary":"Whether you use brown M&Ms to spot-check your stage rig or need to make sure Monday mornings are always dandy, routine is important in a planning-not-plans kind of way. Sam and Simon discuss…","date_published":"2013-08-11T22:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/303dd288-5814-436a-ad64-9b0b57f89a26.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":15683490,"duration_in_seconds":1900}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54c3e351e4b059aa67c2d22d","title":"Segmented","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/10","content_text":"We're popping our pees in this conversation about sleep and the perils of the internet. Tracking your sleep, getting more of it and the segmented sleep phenomenon all make their way into the chat too. Along with a whole lot of awesome, Charles Bukowski and some swearwords.\nStuff mentioned in this episode:\n\nAPPS\n\nSam mentioned using Sleep as Android to track her sleep, while Simon mentioned using Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock and now quantifying himself with FitBit.\n\nBOOKS\n\n\n\nPRODUCTS\n\n\nThe Ostrich Pillow\n\n\nLINKS\n\n\nSegmented Sleep.\nCharles Bukowski.\n","content_html":"We're popping our pees in this conversation about sleep and the perils of the internet. Tracking your sleep, getting more of it and the segmented sleep phenomenon all make their way into the chat too. Along with a whole lot of awesome, Charles Bukowski and some swearwords.\nStuff mentioned in this episode:
\n\nAPPS
\n\nSam mentioned using Sleep as Android to track her sleep, while Simon mentioned using Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock and now quantifying himself with FitBit.
\n\nBOOKS
\n\n\n\nPRODUCTS
\n\n\n\nLINKS
\n\n![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657541.gif\")
","summary":"We're popping our pees in this conversation about sleep and the perils of the internet. Tracking your sleep, getting more of it and the segmented sleep phenomenon all make their way into the chat…","date_published":"2013-08-02T01:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/f65d5734-0b46-46a2-b58c-ce828c301ddb.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":15792017,"duration_in_seconds":1914}]},{"id":"a4e6fda7-8f79-4a32-9776-0c52fe976412","title":"Leaves","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/9","content_text":"Budgets feel like a good idea, but never seem to work. Sam and Simon think about money and getting smarter with it in this conversation that will make its way onto the internet somehow.","content_html":"Budgets feel like a good idea, but never seem to work. Sam and Simon think about money and getting smarter with it in this conversation that will make its way onto the internet somehow.
","summary":"Budgets feel like a good idea, but never seem to work. Sam and Simon think about money and getting smarter with it in this conversation that will make its way onto the internet somehow.","date_published":"2013-07-26T09:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/a4e6fda7-8f79-4a32-9776-0c52fe976412.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":18390172,"duration_in_seconds":2238}]},{"id":"612fa48e-ba7b-48d2-8863-3386a4f1006a","title":"Awesome","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/8","content_text":"If something is done, and it isn’t awesome, does anyone care that it was done? In this episode Sam and Simon discuss putting awesome first in doing stuff.","content_html":"If something is done, and it isn’t awesome, does anyone care that it was done? In this episode Sam and Simon discuss putting awesome first in doing stuff.
","summary":"If something is done, and it isn’t awesome, does anyone care that it was done? In this episode Sam and Simon discuss putting awesome first in doing stuff.","date_published":"2013-07-23T09:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/612fa48e-ba7b-48d2-8863-3386a4f1006a.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":12695023,"duration_in_seconds":1526}]},{"id":"bf5729d3-26d8-4263-b848-3f8daac761c8","title":"Up","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/7","content_text":"Travel is vexing, except when it's not. As with most things, it helps to make it a game. In this episode we explore the world of games people play and why.","content_html":"Travel is vexing, except when it's not. As with most things, it helps to make it a game. In this episode we explore the world of games people play and why.
","summary":"Travel is vexing, except when it's not. As with most things, it helps to make it a game. In this episode we explore the world of games people play and why.","date_published":"2013-06-30T08:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/bf5729d3-26d8-4263-b848-3f8daac761c8.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":17955124,"duration_in_seconds":2184}]},{"id":"c20c62a6-dc5b-462b-8fc8-31cbdf4a5d07","title":"Right","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/6","content_text":"You know the right thing to do - the problem is doing it. Eating right, setting expectations at work and listening to your brain all take hard work - but there are ways to help things along.","content_html":"You know the right thing to do - the problem is doing it. Eating right, setting expectations at work and listening to your brain all take hard work - but there are ways to help things along.
","summary":"You know the right thing to do - the problem is doing it. Eating right, setting expectations at work and listening to your brain all take hard work - but there are ways to help things along.","date_published":"2013-06-23T08:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/c20c62a6-dc5b-462b-8fc8-31cbdf4a5d07.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":16041466,"duration_in_seconds":1945}]},{"id":"059cd73a-9414-4e08-896e-97813b172abd","title":"Myopia","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/5","content_text":"There are the ads that come at you and the exhibition that comes from you. Some of it necessary, most of it not so much. Our generation will be remembered for its showboating, like we recall victorian toilet practices.","content_html":"There are the ads that come at you and the exhibition that comes from you. Some of it necessary, most of it not so much. Our generation will be remembered for its showboating, like we recall victorian toilet practices.
","summary":"There are the ads that come at you and the exhibition that comes from you. Some of it necessary, most of it not so much. Our generation will be remembered for its showboating, like we recall victorian toilet practices.","date_published":"2013-06-08T08:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/059cd73a-9414-4e08-896e-97813b172abd.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":16632039,"duration_in_seconds":2019}]},{"id":"5fc5d255-cf49-4e0b-adec-306bfe796d60","title":"Good","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/4","content_text":"We have too much stuff. Some of it needs a plan. Simon and Sam back some things up and wish other things would go away.","content_html":"We have too much stuff. Some of it needs a plan. Simon and Sam back some things up and wish other things would go away.
","summary":"We have too much stuff. Some of it needs a plan. Simon and Sam back some things up and wish other things would go away.","date_published":"2013-06-05T08:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/5fc5d255-cf49-4e0b-adec-306bfe796d60.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":4394190,"duration_in_seconds":365}]},{"id":"14d2f4d2-91ea-42c7-a570-2a2a8d35939d","title":"Snap","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/3","content_text":"In which Simon and Sam talk about photography. You know – ostensibly. It's a windy road, this topic, and leads to discussions surrounding Evernote, whiteboards and Google+.","content_html":"In which Simon and Sam talk about photography. You know – ostensibly. It's a windy road, this topic, and leads to discussions surrounding Evernote, whiteboards and Google+.
","summary":"In which Simon and Sam talk about photography. You know – ostensibly. It's a windy road, this topic, and leads to discussions surrounding Evernote, whiteboards and Google+.","date_published":"2013-05-27T08:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/14d2f4d2-91ea-42c7-a570-2a2a8d35939d.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":18504905,"duration_in_seconds":1542}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54c3e349e4b059aa67c2d1d8","title":"Mammals","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/2","content_text":"Deliberate practice, excercise and the sounds thereof. Sam Beckbessinger and Simon Dingle get better at stuff in this episode. By trying harder. And more.","content_html":"Deliberate practice, excercise and the sounds thereof. Sam Beckbessinger and Simon Dingle get better at stuff in this episode. By trying harder. And more.
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657542.gif\")
","summary":"Deliberate practice, excercise and the sounds thereof. Sam Beckbessinger and Simon Dingle get better at stuff in this episode. By trying harder. And more.","date_published":"2013-05-13T09:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/4792a52e-b008-4575-9fc0-15880c30188d.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":16612989,"duration_in_seconds":2016}]},{"id":"54bf6729e4b08839cbffe961:54bf682be4b0cb3353d8190a:54c3e349e4b059aa67c2d1d5","title":"Lists","url":"https://www.takebacktheday.co/1","content_text":"Sam Beckbessinger and Simon Dingle explore the world of lists and how to use them to get shit done. Along the way they also explore medical science, movies made with atoms, cloud presentations and other stuff.","content_html":"Sam Beckbessinger and Simon Dingle explore the world of lists and how to use them to get shit done. Along the way they also explore medical science, movies made with atoms, cloud presentations and other stuff.
![](\"http://feedpress.me/10510/2657543.gif\")
","summary":"Sam Beckbessinger and Simon Dingle explore the world of lists and how to use them to get shit done. Along the way they also explore medical science, movies made with atoms, cloud presentations and…","date_published":"2013-05-05T09:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/036071b8-8777-4253-b312-fe530eedb728/8efff956-622f-47e2-8ec4-e75bcb0047d9.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mp3","size_in_bytes":15382352,"duration_in_seconds":1862}]}]}