201: Look Behind the Potato

Things kick off with a consideration of John's theoretical funeral. Merlin can't understand why John won't adopt him.

In Follow-Up, your hosts briefly consider their recent bicentennial and agree that words about parts or multiples of a thing are way too confusing.

As a main topic, John has questions about **Merlin's fraught history with drawing**. What's it take to get good at a thing you care about, and what motivates us to stick with it?

Things end up touching on grit-adjacent stuff like consistency and tenacity. But, whether or not one is gifted, it does seem like we naturally tend to pursue things we _like_ doing. Which just as naturally can make it difficult to stick with the things that don't come so easily. Gotta really pile up that paper.

Comparisons between the habits of making music and writing are made, and differences are easily reconciled regarding the genius work of Jonathan Coulton.

John thinks Merlin missed the focal plane on a photo he used to think was pretty good. Merlin recalls a movie poster whose Renaissance-era optical trick first made him wish he could draw better.

(_Recorded Tuesday, January 24, 2023_)

The Croc Photo in Question

Merlin’s Old Lunch Notes

John has questions about Merlin's fraught history with drawing.

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Links and Show Notes:

Things kick off with a consideration of John's theoretical funeral. Merlin can't understand why John won't adopt him.

In Follow-Up, your hosts briefly consider their recent bicentennial and agree that words about parts or multiples of a thing are way too confusing.

What's it take to get good at a thing you care about, and what motivates us to stick with it?

Things end up touching on grit-adjacent stuff like consistency and tenacity. But, whether or not one is gifted, it does seem like we naturally tend to pursue things we like doing. Which just as naturally can make it difficult to stick with the things that don't come so easily. Gotta really pile up that paper.

Comparisons between the habits of making music and writing are made, and differences are easily reconciled regarding the genius work of Jonathan Coulton.

John thinks Merlin missed the focal plane on a photo he used to think was pretty good. Merlin recalls a movie poster whose Renaissance-era optical trick first made him wish he could draw better.

(Recorded Tuesday, January 24, 2023)

Credits

Audio Editor: Jim Metzendorf

Admin Assistance: Kerry Provenzano

Music: Merlin Mann
The Suits: Stephen Hackett, Myke Hurley

Get an ad-free version of the show, plus a monthly extended episode. “I Was a Starter Wife” - Inside America's Messiest Divorce John's Destiny character drawing, by EmilyMeganX Some of John's childhood artwork Spud Webb Merlin's video game tweet The Chapman Stick Jazz Guitarist Stanley Jordan Shows “Touch” Technique John’s original “Hypercritical” article Lessons on How to Draw by Hokusai Jonathan Coulton’s song, Shop Vac CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, Original Stephen Spielberg Movie Poster – Original Vintage Movie Posters