Stuff Smart People Like

Come on gang, there's a song that we're singing... so donate some money. In this week's episode, Ben, Ed and Dean explore the nature of small talk, supporting smaller artists and patronage. And as always they finish up with heaping pile of Smart Suggestions. So grab your checkbook and have a listen! Main Segment: Rafael Albuquerque Jonathan Rector Cartoon Block (YouTube) Hank Green Subbable/Patreon post Patreon Subbable Flattr Ben's Gittip page Smart Suggestions: Ben: Rick and Morty Ed: Sabermetrics MOOC Dean: The Ink & Blood Dueling Society (writingduels.com) Comment on this episode Feedback: feedback@smartppllike.com | Leave a voice message Subscribe: blog & podcast | podcast only | iTunes Social: Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Google+

Inspired by a recent, and rather notorious episode of Game of Thrones. Dean, Ed and Ben discuss the nature and 'sanctity' of spoilers. For some they are a boundary beyond which they must not tread. For others, they are just part of the fun but not essential to the enjoyment of a piece of media. They also smartly suggest some smart suggestions, as per usual.

Dean and Ed man a two man cast devoted squarely to spoiling...er, discussing, speculating, and gesticulating (though the last part won't be apparent from the podcast), about the money making juggernaut (also a comic character) that is comic book movies. Herein we discuss our thoughts on the recent captain america film as well as several other future marvel properties including the new amazing spider-man films and spin offs (spun offs?), x-men days of future past, and the newer, younger, more diverse fantastic four. Smart Suggestions: Ed: Simpson's FXX Marathon (August 21st through Labor day) Dean: MyFitnessPal (now a smart suggestion hall of fame member) Comment on this episode Feedback: feedback@smartppllike.com | Leave a voice message Subscribe: blog & podcast | podcast only | iTunes Social: Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Google+

What kind of game involves codewords, mystery and a bar? A game that Jim would play! That's why he explains the world of subversive multiplayer live-action games to the panel. Is that a real category, who can say? But what we can say is that Jim's into it and Ben and Dean are curious. Also, Smart Suggestions, of course! Main Segment: Journey to the End of the Night Wil Wheaton's TableTop   Smart Suggestions: Ben: thisismyjam.com Jim: 2048 | 2048 Dr. Who Dean: Hail To De-Chiefing (via Uni Watch) | Michigan tribe takes opposite tack, supports Native American mascots (via Uni Watch) Comment on this episode Feedback: feedback@smartppllike.com | Leave a voice message Subscribe: blog & podcast | podcast only | iTunes Social: Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Google+

Join Dean and the panel this week as they discuss subscription-models. Microsoft Office released their brand-new iPad application and boast an ongoing subscription model for anyone who wants to use it. Which subscriptions work well? Which are horrible? Some of the buzz-marketed brands and services mentioned during this include: STEAM Valve GameFly Netflix Microsoft Office (Mobile) Spotify LibreOffice Google Office Amazon Prime Hulu WoW Elder Scrolls Online Marvel Unlimited Comixology Smart Suggestions Jim: Season 1 Episode 8 of the Twilight Zone "Time Enough At Last" Ben: Asia Turn off notifications and achieve inner peace Dean: Alpha House on Amazon Prime

This episode focuses on all things sports. The question of the week focuses on sports scandals and (SPOILER ALERT!) D%$* pics. Then the main segment focuses on the NCAA basketball tournament (better known as March Madness, hence the outdated 300 reference in the episode title). And as always, the cherry on top is our smart suggestions segment. Smart Suggestions: Ed: Try something new (Ed is building a computer, if you want to do that, you might like pcpartpicker and this lifehacker series on building a PC from scratch) Jordan: mTurk Dean: FilmSpotting Comment on this episode Feedback: feedback@smartppllike.com | Leave a voice message Subscribe: blog & podcast | podcast only | iTunes Social: Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Google+

"Content Marketing" "embedded advertising" whatever you want to call it, it's a stunt. In this episode Dean, Ben and Jim discuss what is perhaps the most successful advertising stunt this year; the "world's greatest selfie" from the Oscars and what, if anything, it means.   Matthew Knell: Five Reason the Ellen Tweet Worked Smart Suggestions Ben: Breaking Bad Insider Podcast Jim: Chia seeds Dean: Instacart

Ben, Jim and Dean open the show with a mysterious, muscle-bound Question of Week, then while Jim takes the opportunity to fix his computer, Ben and Dean talk about their tastes and histories with music. Plus a special shout-out to our Pick the Oscars contest winner! What we're listening to: Spotify links Stuff Smart People like recommends playlist Ben: Transgender Dysphoria Blues - Against Me! Late Night Tales - Bonobo Vince Guaraldi And The Lost Cues From The Charlie Brown TV Specials Dean: Inside Llewyn Davis - Soundtrack Who's Feeling Young Now? - The Punch Brothers The Fool in Her Wedding Gown - The Crane Wives Comment on this episode Feedback: feedback@smartppllike.com | Leave a voice message Subscribe: blog & podcast | podcast only | iTunes Social: Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Google+

This smart panelists eschew with the usual smart suggestions in order to provide you with a comprehensive Oscar's review. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and all for the low low price of $0. Don't forget to sign up for the stuff smart people like Oscars contest by March 1st 2014 at stuffsmartppllike.com for your chance to win a $25 gift card. Don't forget to sign up for the 2014 Stuff Smart People Like Oscar's competition by March 1st at 6pm EST. You could win $25 in amazon cash! Comment on this episode Feedback: feedback@smartppllike.com | Leave a voice message Subscribe: blog & podcast | podcast only | iTunes Social: Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Google+

Join the smarties as they explore the winter Olympic games! Which sports are most loved? Most hated? Which might better be classified as competitions? Dean and the panel answer all of these questions and, as always, provide their best smart suggestions. Smart Suggestions Ben: Against Me! "Transgender Dysphoria Blues" Ed: Quick Draw on Hulu Jim: Behind the Candelabra on HBOGO Dean: Splashtop, the personal remote desktop application Comment on this episode Feedback: feedback@smartppllike.com | Leave a voice message Subscribe: blog & podcast | podcast only | iTunes Social: Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Google+

The noble voice of youth asks, "what is truth" in this episode. Specifically we exam the existential quandary of enjoying the "Lego version" of things as compared to the actual versions. And of course we provide edifying smart suggestions.

Ben, Ed and Dean sit down to answer a well written question, talk about Pete Seeger and dish out a hearty helping of Smart Suggestions. So grab your banjo and join right in, won't you? Main Topic:  Pete Seeger (NPR Music | New York Times) American Masters: The Power of Song Dangerously Funny by David Bianculli Waist Deep in the Big Muddy (Spotify) Petitions urge naming NY bridge for Pete Seeger (USA Today) Smart Suggestions Ben: RescueTime Ed: An Engineer's Guide to Cats | An Engineer's Guide to Cats 2.0 - The Sequel Dean: NPR Music Newport Folk Festival Archive Bonus: Inside Llewyn Davis Comment on this episode Feedback: feedback@smartppllike.com | Leave a voice message Subscribe: blog & podcast | podcast only | iTunes Social: Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Google+

After answering a question from a fast food celebrity, the guys turn their skeptical gaze toward the recent initiative by the makers of the habit forming app "Lift" to "Scientifically" pit 10 different popular diets against one another to see which one emerges as the best of all. Smart suggestions are tacked on at the end. Main Topic:  Lift Quantified Diets Smart Suggestions Ben: Reddit Bad History Ed: SleepBot Dean: Spotify (once more, with feeling) Comment on this episode Feedback: feedback@smartppllike.com | Leave a voice message Subscribe: blog & podcast | podcast only | iTunes Social: Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Google+

Let's be real, odds are pretty good that we won't actually make it to 100 years of podcasts. So our use of the term "centennial"- while it specifically means "100 years"- is hyperbolic humor. Or, in the parlance of text-speak that the youths are so crazy to employ, "J/K". Since we're also talking gifts and products as the main topic, we forego our usual smart suggestions. They will make their formal return in our next episode. Reviews and shares are our lifeblood! Also, you can go to Stuffsmartppllike.com and check out our links to the things we talk about.

Our next episode will be number 100, so here's a look a back at some of the funny bits we've attempted over the last couple of years. Comment on this episode Feedback: feedback@smartppllike.com | Leave a voice message Subscribe: blog & podcast | podcast only | iTunes Social: Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Google+