Proceedings of the Sisyphian Society The Sisyphian Society

A gavel is donated, the Society begins a new fundraising endeavor, listeners launch a “fan” group with transcription efforts. In the main discussion, this first of two parts lays the foundation for the Society’s main project of finding the best products, services, and methods—introducing and depicting the problem to be solved.
N.B.: If you are using an inferior podcatcher, like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify, the following “show notes” will be truncated, missing links, missing formatting, or otherwise mangled. Please switch to a decent podcatcher or see this issue’s notes at http://www.sisyphiansociety.org/proceedings/v01n004.
N.B.: For disclaimers, rules, and prefaces, see Vol. I, No. 1.
N.B.: The Society might earn a commission for purchases using “buy on...” links below. Learn more.
Minutes of the Meeting.
For corrections to this issue, see errata of future issues.
The meeting of the Sisyphian Society was held on Tuesday, 14 July 2020, remotely, the co-chairs pro tempore being in the chairs and the secretary being present.
0:00:38 Refreshments. Called again for Dunkin’ to sponsor Proceedings. Discussed Kyle’s potentially misunderstood comments about Dunkin’ in Vol. I, No. 2. Played interview clip, sent in by Mr. A., to serve as apology. Praised Dunkin’s definitionally freshly made donuts. Discussed Dunkin’s name change.
0:05:41 Meeting called to order with first rap of the Fraudulent Gavel. Gavel was provided by Sorkness Machine, “your first choice for custom manufacturing needs”, marking Society’s first tangible gift from a listener and first corporate patron since publication of Proceedings began. Discussed questionable Lincoln Logs-esque audio profile of gavel and sounding block; authentic Apexstone gavel Kyle assumes Sorkness Machine purchased [buy on Amazon]; (non-Apexstone) gavel Kyle actually received [buy on Amazon], (poorly) wrapped in Apexstone packaging. Considered investigating vast underground counterfeit-gavel industry. Discussed using hardcover copy of Robert’s Rules of Order [buy on Amazon] as sound-deadening foundation. Called for other corporate patronage.
0:11:06 Introduced topic of main discussion, to occupy second half of this meeting.
0:14:30 Discussed duration of Proceedings. Discussed indulgence from Vol. I, No. 3, typical podcast formats and lengths, and lengths of most-popular radio show in America (The Rush Limbaugh Show) and most-popular podcast (The Joe Rogan Experience [which had been discussed with regard to Spotify in Vol. I, No. 3]). Cited analysis from JRE Facts (not to be confused with Java Runtime Environment). Mentioned longest episode of Rogan’s podcast (featuring Alex Jones), interdimentional vampires, old sense of apology.
0:19:29 Addressed elephant no longer in room: Matt’s audio.
0:20:35 Errata.
Mentioned Tyler Compromise of 2020. [See Vol. I, No. 3.]
0:21:07 Vol. I, No. 2. Correspondence, Scooby-Doo, and Humor. 0:21:10 "two kudos to Mark" was grammatically incorrect, as kudos is an uncountable noun. Kyle asked whether Society should award merits (and demerits) or points instead. Matt will work on developing axiological crosswalk for differentiating three parallel structures for various sorts of praise (and condemnation). 0:23:08 Vol. I, No. 3. Talk Radio and Podcasts. 0:23:10 Audio continued to suffer problems, including chair noise. Kyle provided at least partial explanation for marble sounds. Kyle installed a second pop filter. 0:25:16 Matt called issue an “episode” multiple times. Kyle will attempt to correct that particular error in-place from now on. 0:25:24 “We’re goin’ real fast” should have been “We’re goin’ really quickly”. 0:25:37 For accuracy of quotation, “That’ll learn ’em” should have been “This’ll learn ’em”, and “That will teach them” should have been “This will teach them”. 0:26:07 “I don't have the notes that Kyle has, so I never know what’

First Official Loyal Fan David joins to discuss talk radio and podcasts. Kyle rants about inferior podcatchers, show notes, and Spotify’s attempt to destroy podcasting, and calls upon listeners to boycott Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and especially Spotify.
N.B.: If you are using an inferior podcatcher, like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify, the following “show notes” will be truncated, missing links, missing formatting, or otherwise mangled. Please switch to a decent podcatcher or see this issue’s notes at http://www.sisyphiansociety.org/proceedings/v01n003.
N.B.: For disclaimers, rules, and prefaces, see Vol. I, No. 1.
N.B.: The Society might earn a commission for purchases using “buy on...” links below. Learn more.
Minutes of the Meeting.
For corrections to this issue, see errata of future issues.
The meeting of the Sisyphian Society was held on Tuesday, 30 June 2020, remotely, the co-chairs pro tempore being in the chairs and the secretary being present.
0:02:02 Announced guest will be joining at this meeting.
0:02:45 Meeting called to order.
0:02:47 Noted this issue will be half “fun”.
0:04:09 Discussed experimenting with hosting a guest and with increasing length of meetings. Complained about those who complain about long podcast installments.
0:07:11 Granted indulgence to friends and family members. Called for correspondence. Invited listeners to pull hair and move heads.
0:09:37 Discussed experimenting with less-frequent publication.
0:10:30 Refreshments. Called for Dunkin’ Donuts to sponsor Proceedings.
0:11:59 Addressed ongoing audio problems. Kyle requested listeners publicly shame Matt.
0:13:30 Errata.
0:13:36 Vol. I, No. 1. Introduction.. 0:13:40 “I’ll eat my own hat” should have been “I’ll eat my hat.” Thanks to Mr. A. 0:14:18 Kyle called Proceedings a “show”. 0:14:35 Vol. I, No. 2. Correspondence, Scooby-Doo, and Humor.. 0:14:38 Personal correspondence to Kyle from Tyler gave slight compliment, recommended elimination of errata section, and complimented Kyle’s microphone. Tyler made into token “average listener”. Mentioned avocado-only diet, which had been mentioned briefly in Vol. I, No. 1. Warned average people against listening. Reminded about timestamps. Adopted Tyler Compromise. 0:19:48 Forgot to call meeting to order. Requested gavels. 0:20:09 “I edit it way too much” should have been “I edited it way too much”. 0:20:39 “lip smacking” should have been “tongue clicking”. 0:20:53 Noted that throat clearing is intentional. 0:21:09 Noted that overuse of “now” is intentional. 0:21:19 “low stakes for myself” should have been “low expectations for myself”. 0:21:28 Matt called issue an “episode”. 0:21:33 Hysterical laughter. Kyle suggested releasing full laughter as benefit for patrons. 0:22:19 First Official Loyal Fan David joined meeting at this point. Discussed slogan of Nebraska, Davidic longitudinal window, Matt’s unfounded mockery of Kyle’s international mindset, slogan of Ottawa. Kyle noted attempts to find meeting for Best Friend George to join, mentioning Reddit and 4chan. David corrected an error, noting “casual schizophrenia” should have been “casual schizophrenia”. Kyle corrected David’s correction, noting “casual schizophrenia” should have been “causal schizophrenia”, and “causal schizophrenia” should have been “casual schizophrenia”. Personal correspondence to Kyle from David complimented Proceedings and its hosts. 0:31:44 Kyle apologized for possibly implying beardedness to be David’s defining character trait. 0:32:53 Kyle apologized for distraction by agenda. 0:34:29 “national code” should have been “country calling code” or “country dial-in code”. Noted that, from now on, will frequently intentionally omit that digit, for fear of confounding Americans. 0:35:07 Kyle had said “we should make a couple quick announcements” but then made only

Matt and Kyle respond to correspondence, answer a listener question about Scooby-Doo, and address the place of humor in these meetings.
N.B.: If you are using an inferior podcatcher, like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify, the following “show notes” will be truncated, missing links, missing formatting, or otherwise mangled. Please switch to a decent podcatcher or see this issue’s notes at http://www.sisyphiansociety.org/proceedings/v01n002.
N.B.: For disclaimers, rules, and prefaces, see Vol. I, No. 1.
N.B.: The Society might earn a commission for purchases using “buy on...” links below. Learn more.
Minutes of the Meeting.
For corrections to this issue, see errata of Vol. I, No. 3.
The meeting of the Sisyphian Society was held on Tuesday, 23 June 2020, remotely, the co-chairs pro tempore being in the chairs and the secretary being present.
0:00:51 Meeting (naturally) came to order.
0:01:09 Apologized for poor audio.
0:02:17 Refreshments.
0:05:14 Announced that podcasts will be topic of next meeting rather than of this one.
0:06:00 Errata for Vol. I, No. 1. Introduction.
Audio and editing quality was poor. Kyle cannot edit that heavily from now on. Apologized for plosives, lip smacking, and overuse of brilliant. Discussed Kyle’s additional recording rules for himself, to prevent some such errors in future. When Kyle said “golden coins”, he should have said “gold coins”. When Kyle said “I was a group of ... it was like, two or three people”, he should have said “I was in a group of . . .” Public credit to listener David for reporting error. When Matt said lifehacking had become about “how inefficient you can do something”, he should have said “how inefficiently you can do something”. When Kyle said “you can hover your mouse over the comic and . . . title text pops up”, he should have said “you can hover your cursor or your pointer over the comic and . . . title text pops up”. When Kyle said, “I’ll list you some of these things”, he (probably) should have said, “I’ll list for you some of these things”. At this point in the errata, Matt requested someone donate The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language [buy on Amazon] to Society. When Kyle said, “the second category are fun topics”, he should have said “the second category is fun topics”. When Kyle gave Society’s telephone number, he forgot to give first (international) digit. Full number is +1 805 538 2382. When Matt said, “we might as well motion to adjourn”, he should have said “we might as well move to adjourn”. 0:20:49 Minutes of the last meeting were approved. Cited Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (11th edition) [buy on Amazon] (p. 354, l. 23 – p. 355, l. 6).
0:21:36 Announcements
Vol. I, No. 1, which was published just earlier today, already enjoys 43 unique downloads. 0:23:02 Treasurer’s report: Treasurer reported coffers remain steady. Kyle informed treasurer of not-yet-reported expenditures. Society is actually in poor financial health. Society should set up online donation system posthaste.
0:23:56 General Correspondence.
0:24:41 Personal correspondence to Kyle from Mark complimented Vol. I, No. 1. Two kudos given to Mark. 0:25:22 Personal correspondence to Kyle from Tyler expressed excitement for Kyle’s brother to be guest. 0:25:55 Personal correspondence to Kyle from David told Society to consider him “a loyal fan”. 0:26:21 Personal correspondence to Kyle from Hannah expressed offense at not having been invited to help form podcast. 0:27:25 Personal correspondence to Kyle from Jenn inquired into Kyle’s marital aspirations. 0:27:56 Personal correspondence to Kyle from William invited Hannah to start rival podcast. Secretary recorded William as first enemy of Society. 0:28:46 Personal correspondence to Kyle from Hans, John, and Nathan expressed provisional interest in Proceedings. 0:29:13 Personal correspondence to Kyle from Nathan recogn

Matt and Kyle provide disclaimers, rules, prefaces, rationales, and background information concerning the Society and this podcast.
N.B.: If you are using an inferior podcatcher, like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify, the following “show notes” will be truncated, missing links, missing formatting, or otherwise mangled. Please switch to a decent podcatcher or see this issue’s notes at http://www.sisyphiansociety.org/proceedings/v01n001.
N.B.: The Society might earn a commission for purchases using “buy on...” links below. Learn more.
Friends of the Society have begun transcribing this issue in their Facebook group.
Minutes of the Meeting.
For corrections to this issue, see errata of Vol. I, Nos. 2 and 3.
The meeting of the Society was held on Tuesday, 16 June 2020, remotely, the co-chairs pro tempore being in the chairs and the secretary being present.
0:00:46 Meeting called to order.
0:01:40 Disclaimer: This meeting has been held several times.
0:02:44 Apologized for jocularity. ["Conflicted and interesting thoughts on humor" were indeed discussed in Vol. I, No. 2.]
0:03:09 Apologized for poor audio. Solicited advice from audio editors. Mentioned NPR (National Public Radio), PRI (Public Radio International), This American Life, All Things Considered, The Rush Limbaugh Show, The Ben Shapiro Show, Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me!, Serial, How Did This Get Made?, 99% Invisible, A Prairie Home Companion.
0:10:01 Pleaded for money to hire an audio editor, voice actors, and the like. Pleaded for musicians to re-record theme music.
0:11:53 (Global) pandemic has required meetings be convened online. Society decided to begin publishing proceedings. Cited definition of pandemic from Lexico by Oxford Dictionary.
0:14:26 Rule of discussion: Only topics not in members’ areas of competency.
0:15:36 Rule of discussion: Only one hour may be spent in preparation.
0:16:12 Why the Society is publishing these proceedings: to facilitate the “workshopping” of ideas, to facilitate others developing ideas discussed here, to “crowdsource”; and cooperate for mutual benefit.
0:23:17 Disclaimer: Proceedings might be unpublished in the future. Mentioned broadcast restrictions of NFL (National Football League).
0:24:56 Disclaimer: Anything said in these meetings deemed problematic intended as ironic.
0:25:03 Disclaimer: Members do not necessarily endorse each other’s views.
0:25:24 Rule of discussion: Only first names.
0:26:11 Matt and Kyle introduced themselves and their interest in systematic improvements.
0:27:56 Pleaded to not listen to this. Pleaded to not listen to this. Mentioned Homer, Augustine, Bach, Bible, Quran, Vedas, Plato, Kant, Nietzsche, Marx.
0:33:19 Only reason to listen to this.
0:33:38 First category of discussion topics: “the boring topics”. Discussed “lifehacking”, what lifehacking has become, xkcd comic “The General Problem” and “master artisans of great foresight”. These topics focus on finding “the best x”, optimizing, and improving the day-to-day components of life via useful knowledge. Examples of possible topics in this category mentioned were Esperanto; fixes to the United States postal system; parliamentary procedure; linguistic style guides, vocabularies, grammar, and how to fix language; productivity methodologies, including the Getting Things Done system [buy on Amazon]; “quantified self”; the ideal diet and Soylent; time tracking; documenting things for oneself; the best men’s clothing, possibly the best women’s clothing, and possibly Amish clothing; book summaries; indexes; documentaries; making music; reading and marking a book; organizing and cataloging books; genealogy; 24-hour time, daylight-saving time, and time zones; the great books; language scripts; journaling; “everyday carry”; the best wristwatch; indoor plants; an application for finding parking; food tracking; sleep tracking; cursive and the best way to write; how t