Robot or Not?

140: Bread 17.09.2018 3:14 ↓

Bread is bread, but what about hot dog buns, bagels, tortillas, and pitas? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

139: Planets, and also Pluto 03.09.2018 5:34 ↓

John is given the opportunity to endorse or reject the rulings of the International Astronomical Union. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

138: Job Security 20.08.2018 8:28 ↓

John’s worked (and left) a lot of jobs. What’s his personal philosophy about job security versus going it alone as an independent? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

137: Nerds and Geeks 06.08.2018 6:16 ↓

The subtle and vexing difference between a nerd and a geek. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

136: Programming 23.07.2018 8:56 ↓

What is computer programming? And what doesn’t qualify? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

135: Reality TV 09.07.2018 8:29 ↓

When is a game show a game show, and when is it reality television? Also, we reveal our favorite reality TV show. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

134: Personal Computers 25.06.2018 9:12 ↓

Is a Mac a PC? Is an iPad a computer? Does John favor a broad definition or a narrow one? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

133: Gnocchi 11.06.2018 5:04 ↓

What makes pasta pasta? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

132: Seasons 28.05.2018 6:21 ↓

The conundrum of seasons versus eternally pleasant weather. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

131: Savory Donuts 14.05.2018 2:06 ↓

Bagels are not donuts, people. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

130: Sweaters 30.04.2018 2:23 ↓

Listener Ed, we’ve got bad news. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

129: Pets 16.04.2018 9:03 ↓

What makes an animal a pet? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

128: The Midwest 02.04.2018 8:06 ↓

Did both of Jason’s parents both come from the Midwest, or only one? What are the true boundaries of America’s heartland? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

127: Potato Chips 19.03.2018 6:53 ↓

From Sour Cream & Onion to BBQ, what are the “real” potato chip flavors? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

126: Vacation 05.03.2018 10:01 ↓

If you don’t go anywhere, is it a vacation? What if you go somewhere, but you don’t relax? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

125: Cheesecake 19.02.2018 13:35 ↓

Is cheesecake cheese, cake, pie, tart, or none of the above? Does the angle of the pan matter? Does crust content matter? Do any of us matter, really? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

124: The Trolley Problem 07.02.2018 13:33 ↓

As recently highlighted on “The Good Place”, it’s a classic ethical conundum that John wants absolutely no part of. And what if the trolley drives itself? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

123: Janet from "The Good Place" 22.01.2018 5:13 ↓

Never believe what a robot tells you. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

122: Night (bark) Joggers (bark) 08.01.2018 1:54 ↓

A dog interlude. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

121: Holidays and Holiday Movies 25.12.2017 7:23 ↓

What makes a movie a holiday movie? How do they celebrate winter holidays in warm climates? Merry Christmas to all, especially in Australia! John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

120: Death 11.12.2017 11:47 ↓

Okay, time to call it. Time of death— wait, wait, everybody hold on. How do we define death? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

119: Life 27.11.2017 15:18 ↓

How can we call something alive? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

118: Ice Cream 13.11.2017 10:31 ↓

It would seem like ice cream versus frozen yogurt would be the main debate. But the pronunciation of a third competitor completely derails us. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

117: Brunch 31.10.2017 14:23 ↓

We discuss the names of meals and when they happen, and make an interesting(?) digression into human sleep cycles. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

116: Salad 16.10.2017 7:45 ↓

From leafy greens to sugary Jell-O concoctions, all sorts of things are called salads. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.