This week, Merlin Mann sits in to chat with Jim about the Nest acquisition, the problem with Google’s opaque creepiness, Jim’s upcoming trip to NAMM, plus some special interactive tips from Jim on working the pentatonic blues solo.

Homework: Practice on GnR’s “Knocking on Heaven’s Door.”

5by5’s bandwidth for January provided by CacheFly: The fastest, most reliable CDN in the business.

Sponsors this week:

• Ting ($25 off)
• Shutterstock (25% off everything with discount code “DANSENTME114”)
• Freshbooks (They’re giving away birthday cakes!)
• Squarespace (10% off everything with discount code “NEWYEARS”)