Bad At Magic

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Show Notes

• Ben makes another attempt to define Rich’s Law of autonomous systems, Josh is bad at so many things we lost count, the guys take on the Slate Truck, and they review the book ‘Abundance’ by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. 
• Intro & Follow-up (0-20:41)
  • Link to Rich’s Law
  • System Error | Dog, pig or loaf of bread? | The Mitchells vs The Machines 2021
• What I’m Reading (20:41-46:07)
  • Josh: Peace Talks – Jim Butcher
    • Author Jim Butcher opens up about mental health issues
  • Ben: The Terminal List – Jack Carr 
    • ‘Law Abiding Citizen’ Trailer
    • ‘Double Jeopardy’ Trailer
  • Magic Commander 5/6-player Variants:
    • “Star” or “Pentagon” format
    • Emperor format
• Bad at Husbanding & Parenting & Human Resources (46:07-1:17:27)
  • Malcolm in the Middle – Hal sabotaging Lois diet
  • “Rice Paddies and Math Tests” – the connection between regional staple cultivation and education
  • Adolescence | Official Trailer | Netflix
  • Hidden Figures – “Bathroom” Scene
• Bad at Transportation (1:17:27-1:25:48)
  • The Slate Truck
• Main Segment: Abundance (1:25:48-end)
  • Why We Can’t Have Nice Things with Ezra Klein (from Jon Stewart’s Podcast ‘The Weekly Show’)
  • Abundance – Ezra Klein & Derek Thompson
• Join in the discussion on:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
  • Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
• Check out our website(s):
  • http://www.badatmagic.live
  • Our YouTube Channel
• Support us on: 
  • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
• Credits:
  • Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
  • Transition music by Jarus Rich
  • Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich

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Show Notes

• The hosts do a quick review of the new MCU film Thunderbolts*, give a passing mention to The Accountant 2, and do a full-scale historic perspective on “The Most Destructive Cyberattack in History”: NotPetya (2017), when the Russians’ cyber war against Ukraine broke out of its intended targets and started taking out international businesses and other national assets. 
• Intro & Follow-up (end-24:12)
  • Thunderbolts*
  • The Accountant 2
• Bad at Tech (24:12-37:21)
  • The Code that Crashed the World by Andy Greenberg, Wired Magazine, September 2018
• “The Most Devastating Cyber Attack in History” (37:21-end)
  • The Most Destructive Cyberattack in History: NotPetya
  • To Shreds You Say
  • I, Pencil by Leonard Read (a breezy read) 
  • Linus Tech Tips visits the Intel factory
• Join in the discussion on:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
  • Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
• Check out our website(s):
  • http://www.badatmagic.live
  • Our YouTube Channel
• Support us on: 
  • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
• Credits:
  • Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
  • Transition music by Jarus Rich
  • Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich

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Show Notes

• Ben takes on a massive vintage Tupperware collection, Josh uses AI to fake being good at routine social interactions, and the guys celebrate the 26th anniversary of the release of The Matrix (1999) by finally giving that landmark movie the full Bad at Magic treatment it deserves.
• Intro & Follow-up (end-15:47)
  • Vintage Tupperware Sale!
• Bad at Tech (15:47-28:20)
  • Try Slackwater Pizzeria
  • Simon Weckert’s Google Maps Hack
• What I’m Reading & Board Game Survivor (28:20-43:29)
  • Josh: Cold Days by Jim Butcher
  • Ben: The Terminal List by Jack Carr
  • Call to Adventure: The Stormlight Archive
  • Brandon Sanderson Cosmere RPG Kickstarter
• The Matrix (1999) (43:29-end)
  • What is the matrix?
  • Star Trek: Voyager – Janeway creates her virtual fantasy man
  • Is ‘The Lego Movie’ a retelling of ‘The Matrix’?
  • The 13th Floor
  • “Zion! Hear me!”
• Join in the discussion on:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
  • Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
• Check out our website(s):
  • http://www.badatmagic.live
  • Our YouTube Channel
• Support us on: 
  • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
• Credits:
  • Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
  • Transition music by Jarus Rich
  • Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich

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Show Notes

• Josh eats 5 hot dogs before the first pitch, Ben has to hack into the drink machine to get what he wants, Josh orders 50 cheeseburgers, the guys brave a movie theater at the peak of the ‘The Minecraft Movie’ riots, they recall times they were bad at tech support, and finally go back to their favorite kinds of books. 
• Intro & Follow-up (0-1:18:14)
  • The very first telephone call…149 years ago
  • Atlanta Braves vs. Arizona Diamondbacks | April 26, 2025 (unfortunately, no Star-Spangled Banner performance included)
  • Why Billy Joel refuses to sell front row seats to his shows
  • Super Size Me Trailer
  • Morgan Spurlock, documentary filmmaker of ‘Super Size Me’, dies at 53 | May 24, 2024
  • Watch how [Ben’s friend] got banned from EVERY Jiffy Lube in Utah!
  • The Whopper Detour
• Bad at Parenting & Husbanding (1:18:14-1:32:02)
  • CHICKEN JOCKEY!!1!
• Bad at Tech Support & What I’m Reading (1:32:02-t)
  • Josh: Changes by Jim Butcher (Dresden Files #12)
  • Ben: Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs
    • The 2008 movie (trailer): Running With Scissors
    • His brother’s book: Look me in the eye by John Elder Robison
    • ‘Running with Scissors’ Author Augusten Burroughs Tells Dr. Phil About His Addiction Struggles
• Join in the discussion on:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
  • Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
• Check out our website(s):
  • http://www.badatmagic.live
  • Our YouTube Channel
• Support us on: 
  • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
• Credits:
  • Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
  • Transition music by Jarus Rich
  • Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich

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Show Notes

• Ben and Josh discuss the “dirty soda” craze in Utah and debate whether the closing of Joann Fabrics is of any consequence. They lament the death of the career of some poor schlub appointed by the DoD Inspector General to investigate the SECDEF Signal incident and reminisce on some of their own random additional duties. Josh finally finishes “A People’s History” and the hosts thrill in the cinematic pleasure that is Ben’s 2nd-favorite movie of all time: Master and Commander. 
• Intro & Follow-up (0-11:45)
  • Tron Ares Trailer (for real this time!)
• Bad at Business (11:45-20:55)
  • The Utah Dirty Soda Craze
  • Air Force Tightens Rules on Shaving Waivers
• Bad at Husbanding (20:55-39:38)
  • Joann Fabrics closing all stores
• Bad at Additional Duties (39:38-1:07:02)
  • DoD Inspector General memorandum appointing investigators for the March 2025 Signal Data Leak incident
  • Summary Courts Officer (B@M Ep. 9: The Italian Job)
• Josh’s Shower Thoughts (1:07:02-1:10:39)
  • The other “Golden Rule”
  • Microtonality
• What I’m Reading (1:10:39-1:34:08)
  • Josh: A People’s History of the United States, by Howard Zinn
    • The Three Body Problem by Liu Cixin
  • Ben: Foreverland: on the divine tedium of marriage by Heather Havrilesky
• Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (1:34:08-end)
  • Clip of the joys of this movie (part 2)
• Join in the discussion on:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
  • Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
• Check out our website(s):
  • http://www.badatmagic.live
  • Our YouTube Channel
• Support us on: 
  • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
• Credits:
  • Bad  at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
  • Transition music by Jarus Rich
  • Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich

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Show Notes

• The hosts take on the move to self checkout, set the record straight on procedural and technological protections of information regarding military operations, figure out if they know Yiddish, and finally build a bridge in their never-ending ‘government vs. business’ debate. 
• Intro & Follow-up (end-18:22)
  • A Snooker Maximum Break (aka a “147”)
  • The Rules of Snooker
  • The Program (1993) notorious deleted highway scene; not Varsity Blues (1999)
  • ProMusica Arizona
• Bad at Tech (18:22-36:50)
  • Americans and self checkout
• Bad at Allies (36:50-58:35)
  • The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans by Jeffrey Goldberg
  • US Department of Defense Strategy for Operations in the Information Environment 
  • Jack Teixeira sentenced to 15 years in prison for unlawfully disclosing national defense information (12 Nov 24)
  • US Central Command Security Classification Guide, 15 June 2012 (defunct)
  • Joint Publication 3-13.3 Operations Security (OPSEC)
• Board Game Survivor (58:35-1:10:40)
  • Stratego
  • Blokus
  • Ticket to Ride
  • Dominion
• What I’m Reading (1:10:40-1:28:29)
  • Josh: A People’s History of the United States, by Howard Zinn
  • Ben: The Chosen by Chaim Potok
  • Bad at Yiddish
    • Chutzpah – n. (idea) bold self-confidence
    • Kanipshin – n. a fit or a tantrum
    • Klutz – n. clumsy person 
    • Kvetch – v. whine, whinge deeply
    • Schlep – v. to carry something or go somewhere when it is an inconvenience; usually accompanied by kvetching
    • Schmaltzy – adj. overly emotional or sentimental
    • Schmooze – v. mix and mingle
    • Schmuck – n. a stupid, foolish, or contemptible person
    • Shtick – n. (idea) something you’re known for, usually quirky and performative
    • Spiel – n. a generally long story or speech
    • Tuchus – n. butt, usually in a cheeky way
    • Oy vey – excl. an expression of shock/surprise when something goes wrong
• Main Segment (1:28:29-end)
  • The weekly show with Jon Stewart (podcast): Why We Can’t Have Nice Things with Ezra Klein 
    • Jon Stewart Podcast YouTube Link
  • Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson
• Join in the discussion on:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
  • Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
• Check out our website(s):
  • http://www.badatmagic.live
  • Our YouTube Channel
• Support us on: 
  • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
• Credits:
  • Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
  • Transition music by Jarus Rich
  • Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich

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Show Notes

• Josh always orders the same thing except for when he’s feeling spicy. The guys take on Artificial Intelligence and privacy, Josh reads a nonfiction book (gasp!), and the hosts do a deep dive on why and how to thank a veteran for their service.
• Intro & Follow-up (0-14:02)
  • Should a charge of plagiarism ruin your life? by Malcolm Gladwell
  • The best episode of HOT ONES
  • Data the android gets an emotion chip (and tries a drink) 
• Bad at Tech (14:02-28:58)
  • Amazon Echo Privacy Change
• What I’m Reading (28:58-46:48)
  • Sanderson’s Laws of Magic (2025)
  • Josh: A People’s History of the United States, by Howard Zinn
  • Ben: The Chosen by Chaim Potok
    • Power Distance
• Bad at Magic (46:48-1:06:18)
  • Teaching a new player to play Magic’s most-popular format (in 5 minutes!)
• On Being a Veteran (1:06:18-end)
  • Biden Thanks Vets for Service, Says Nation Has Obligation to Honor, Support Them (11 Nov 2024)
  • Advanced Combat Rifle
• Join in the discussion on:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
  • Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
• Check out our website(s):
  • http://www.badatmagic.live
  • Our YouTube Channel
• Support us on: 
  • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
• Credits:
  • Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
  • Transition music by Jarus Rich
  • Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Show Notes

• Ben admits the truth about the US Patent Office in 1899, Josh accidentally sends some private photos to the wrong Nicole, Ben leaves the toilet seat up and suffers the consequences, the guys discuss some new games, and finally, they do a deep dive on the meta thought processes behind the decisions we make. 
• Intro & Follow-up (end-29:52)
  • The truth about the US Patent Office in 1899
  • Should a charge of plagarism ruin yo`ur life? by Malcolm Gladwell
• Bad at Appliances & Husbanding (29:52-49:42)
• What I’m Reading (49:42-59:42)
  • Josh: Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson
  • Ben: The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom by Shari Franke
    • Psychology Today – What Every Survivor Desperately Wants But Rarely Gets
• Bad at Gaming (59:42-1:23:22)
  • Something WILD! – The Card Game of Character Combos!
  • The Growing Problem In Magic: The Gathering Is NOT Universes Beyond…It’s Universes Within.
  • A Feast for Odin
    • The Cones of Dunshire (Parks and Rec)
• Main Segment: Why We Make the Choices We Make (1:23:22-end)
  • You Don’t Actually Need a Menu – College Humor
• Join in the discussion on:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
  • Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
• Check out our website(s):
  • http://www.badatmagic.live
  • Our YouTube Channel
• Support us on: 
  • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
• Credits:
  • Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
  • Transition music by Jarus Rich
  • Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich

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Show Notes

• Josh runs the show* and the guys talk about being leaders in the workplace, Wizards of the Coast’s new tiered Commander ranking system, Frog Fractions, man crushes, fantasy storytelling, and more. 
• Intro & follow-up (0-1:11:17)
  • Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)?
  • Frog Fractions (walkthrough on YouTube)
  • Microsoft Excel 2000 “Dev Hunter” easter egg (video)
  • Is Tron: Ares really coming out in 2025? 
• Commander Brackets (1:11:17-end)
  • Wicked problem (n.): a problem that is difficult or impossible to solve because of incomplete, contradictory, and changing requirements that are often difficult to recognize. It refers to an idea or problem that cannot be fixed, where there is no single solution to the problem; and “wicked” denotes resistance to resolution, rather than evil.
  • BONUS: Lego Magic Card scanner
  • Introducing “Commander Brackets” [BETA] (official article on Magic: the Gathering website)
  • EDH vs. cEDH
  • What we’re reading:
    • Ben: Turn the Ship Around! A true story of turning followers into leaders By L. David Marquet, Captain, US Navy (Ret.)
    • Josh: Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson
  • Brandon Sanderson’s 2025 Writing Lecture Series
  • The Tandem Story Josh talked about
• Join in the discussion on:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
  • Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
• Check out our website(s):
  • http://www.badatmagic.live
  • Our YouTube Channel
• Support us on: 
  • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
• Credits:
  • Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
  • Transition music by Jarus Rich
  • Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Show Notes

• Ben goes to a UFC fight, Josh addresses the 12-hour TikTok ban, the guys examine some common logic problems that people find counter-intuitive, Josh tries Stimulation Clicker (Gamers beware!), and the guys revisit the two previous Tron movies (1982 & 2010) in preparation for the upcoming Tron: Aries (2025). 
• Intro & follow-up (0-19:09)
  • Super Bowl ad created by Ben’s UFC buddy
• Bad at Logic (19:90-35:10)
  • The Monty Hall Problem
  • The Birthday Paradox
• What I’m reading and gaming (35:10-1:02:03)
  • The parable of the dog and the dragon
  • Stimulation Clicker
    • Cookie Clicker
    • The Stanley Parable
• Main segment – Tron and Tron: Legacy (1:02:03-end)
  • Tron (1982) Trailer
    • Light Cycle Race (w/ 4K upscale!)
  • Tron: Legacy (2010) Trailer
  • Gort Klaatu Barada Nikto
  • VFX Artists React to Tron
• Next time:
  • Tron: Uprising (2012)
• Join in the discussion on:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BadAtMagicPodcast
  • Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/badatmagic/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@badatmagic/podcasts
• Check out our website(s):
  • http://www.badatmagic.live
  • Our YouTube Channel
• Support us on: 
  • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badatmagic/
• Credits:
  • Bad at Magic Logos by Jonica Rich
  • Transition music by Jarus Rich
  • Outro music from Cascading by Ammon Rich