logo
episode-header-image
May 2023
1h 34m

208: Spinal Tap with Cowboy Hats

Relay
About this episode

Subtitle: John will live in her backpack like Yoda.

Things kick off with Merlin giving John a pop quiz on music and a font. Merlin would also please like a special episode for his birthday.

After an admittedly overdue U2 Tangent, John gives Merlin a pop quiz on what their show is about. Then, Merlin clarifies what John can expect from an omnibus "Before Show" super-episode.

Follow-Up covers John's count of Steam games, much Succession lore, plus you, the listener's, stated position regarding the correct toothbrush water temperature. Also, Merlin has finally rid himself of a problem with a meddlesome dæmon.

For a main topic, John has a new project involving music playlists. Generational divides are identified, and we learn the lengths to which John will go for his ungrateful children.

Finally, Merlin reveals one of the numerous ways in which he is a terrible liability.

For this month's members-only bonus show, there's more on playlists and disambiguation, with Merlin offering an impassioned paean to the magic of scene naming—including improbable places we might benefit from standardization in the future. Music is so good, you guys.

You can sign up today to hear all the member episodes, get more bonus stuff, and, yes, support our program.

(Recorded on Tuesday, May 2, 2023)

This episode of Reconcilable Differences is sponsored by:

  • Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code DIFFS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Links and Show Notes:

Credits
Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode.
Mr. Show - "The New Ku Klux Klan" - YouTube
Florence + The Machine - "Tiny Dancer" - (2018) - YouTube
Womprat: “The font you’re looking for.”

❝The font you’re looking for❞

Mondegreen - Wikipedia

A mondegreen is a mishearing or misinterpretation of a phrase in a way that gives it a new meaning

What is "usernoted" and why is it eating my CPU? - Ask Different
History - Admiral Farragut Academy
Brian Cox explains Logan Roy's birthplace confusion (starts at 31:46)
Roman Roy does not have a wife and kid
Caitlin FitzGerald - Wikipedia
Alexis Floyd - IMDb
When Harry Met Sally Karaoke Machine - Singing Machine at The Sharper Image - YouTube
Merlin's "Pretty Maids" Spotify playlist
MusicBrainz Picard

Picard is a cross-platform music tagger powered by the MusicBrainz database.

John's Spotify playlist for his daughter (minus the tracks that aren't on Spotify)
Standard (warez) - Wikipedia
Up next
Dec 2024
250: Water Hammer
Subtitle: It's free real estate.John has a new project and Merlin has a new Thought Technology. This episode of Reconcilable Differences is sponsored by: Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code DIFFS. Links and Show Notes: John has a new pr ... Show More
1h 40m
Dec 2024
249: Tally Ho
Rebuilding "Tally Ho." This episode of Reconcilable Differences is sponsored by: Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code DIFFS. Links and Show Notes: Things kick off with a listener's field report that a millennial tic has been spotted ... Show More
1h 37m
Nov 2024
248: Safflower Wednesday
Subtitle: Your egg salad costs too much.Election results. This episode of Reconcilable Differences is sponsored by: Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code DIFFS. Links and Show Notes: Election results. Then, in this month’s member bonus ep ... Show More
1h 35m
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2025
503: Gulf of America
It's happening. Everything is happening, and we're opining about it. Plus, our excitement over Google I/O. Links and Show Notes: Google defends scrapping AI pledges and DEI goals in all-staff meeting Clarifying some changes we made in Calendar. Apple TV+ Is Finally Availa ... Show More
56m 27s
Feb 2025
502: Look
It's a news-heavy show, with earnings, shifts in Google company policy, and a lot of "look" from Sundar Pichai. This episode of Material is sponsored by: Vitally: A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. Li ... Show More
1h 11m
Jan 2025
501: The Cake Lasted Five Days
Our first episode after a major milestone, and we're catching up on the real stories behind all the flashy Android and Samsung headlines. Links and Show Notes: The Samsung Galaxy S25's Most Touted AI Feature Left Me Disappointed Just How Good Is Audio Eraser on the Samsun ... Show More
1h 2m
May 2024
Inside the Google algorithm
The Verge's Nilay Patel, Alex Cranz, and David Pierce discuss Google's algorithm leak, OpenAI content deals, and more tech news from this week. Further reading: Google won’t comment on a potentially massive leak of its search algorithm documentation Google confirms the leaked Sea ... Show More
1h 32m
Feb 2024
449: Generative AI Unicorns
Google held its earnings call, and it's mostly good news, even when it's not. It's not the best news for those who have recently been laid off. Links and Show Notes: Google earnings: 100 million Google One subscribers, Google Cloud profits Google’s Parent Company, Alp ... Show More
1h 9m
Mar 2025
China has some big ideas about smartphones
In this episode, what's old is new again, and what's new is... AI again. The Verge's Allison Johnson and Dominic Preston join David to discuss their experience at Mobile World Congress 2025, where they saw the latest devices from Xiaomi, Samsung, Realme, and others — and found th ... Show More
1h 18m
Feb 2025
Samsung’s S25 Ultra and the end of the flagship phone
Today on the show, it’s all about the future of phones… and your data. The Verge’s Allison Johnson joins the show to talk about the new Samsung Galaxy S25, what’s new in this high-end phone, and what it means for all the other smartphones coming this year. After that, Cooper Quin ... Show More
1h 27m
Feb 2025
iPhone 17 Design May Be Drastically Different, ChatGPT Removes Content Warnings, and See-Through Aluminum Breakthrough
We're experimenting and would love to hear from you!In this episode of 'Discover Daily', we begin with rumors about Apple's iPhone 17 lineup. Recent leaks suggest the phones will have a dramatic redesign, featuring a  horizontal camera bar across all models and ... Show More
7m 53s
May 2023
Google AI and foldable phones
Today on the flagship podcast of unfolded aspect ratios: 01:03 -The Verge's David Pierce, Nilay Patel, and Alex Cranz discuss the present and future state of Google — it’s this big, complicated, massively successful company that suddenly feels like it’s under threat in a huge num ... Show More
1h 17m
Feb 2025
504: E Stands for Essence
We apologize for talking about the iPhone 16e this week, but is Apple trying to pass off a $600 device as "affordable?" Google would like a word. Links and Show Notes: iPhone 16e Fingerprinting: Critics say Google rules put profits over privacy Google’s AI Efforts Marred by Turf ... Show More
58m 48s