Again with the Skype, and the show is off and running with a quick gloss on Programming, Scratch, homemade Pong, and another podcast where John adjudicates what is or is not a thing.

John goes bowling, but it isn’t proper bowling, and Merlin doesn’t actually make it into arcades so much anymore. John explores the squalid underworld of Gambling for Children, and Merlin talks about some recent high-quality dogs he’s met. John thinks Merlin is nowhere near ready for a canine in his life, but Merlin just wants a sweet, precious, cos-playing Corgi.

Merlin wonders when it’s time to talk about Elon Musk, and John draws comparisons to his favorite big-talking, emotional CEO. Merlin doesn’t like John personally, but continues to listen to his old podcast with Dan.

John has some follow-up on his daughter’s time at sleepaway camp. The Sorting Hat erred, there may have been a spinal injury, and scurvy is a concern. Anyways…

Children are observed via GPS, and spouses just disappear in another county. How hard is it to pick up a phone?

Merlin has two pieces of business, including some pre-talk about a future Spoiler Slot. Then, there’s a brief update on the Mann family raiding Professor Siracusa’s Plex. Merlin’s daughter was reportedly last seen somewhere near The Lost Woods.

This week’s main topic is a goodie: the things only you notice. The things only you care about. And, sure, the things only you don’t notice (but probably should).

John sees scratches on his Mac, Merlin wants to know who slightly moved a cable, and why in God’s name do people keep turning the scale 90°? Where does this agita come from, how do these emotions get misdirected, and why in the hell is this pizza box here?

On the other hand, how even can you know what you don’t know if you don’t know what you don’t know? John makes a strong case for obliviousness.

(Recorded on Tuesday, July 24, 2018.)