John Siracusa and Jason Snell

Robot or Not?

Society EN ↓ 356 episodes

Jason Snell asks John Siracusa to rule on the meaning of various words and concepts. It’s not just about robots anymore. Have a question for John? Email robot@theincomparable.com.

Author

John Siracusa and Jason Snell

Category

Society

Podcast website

www.theincomparable.com

Latest episode

Jul 7, 2026

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Episodes

204: Peanut Butter 08.03.2021

Chances are pretty good that the peanut butter you eat is terrible. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

203: Bagel Update 22.02.2021

A very unfortunate bagel on either side of the Atlantic. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

202: Books 08.02.2021

Is a book a bound, printed collection of pages, or is it something more? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

201: Apocalypse 25.01.2021

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the robot, happy stuff: When does the apocalypse start, and when do we reach post-apocalyptic times? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

200: Microscopic "Robots" 11.01.2021

We celebrate our 200th episode by going back to where it all started—news about whether something is a robot or not. Also, we may have inadvertently started a religion. (Congratulations, Listener Eric!) John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

199: Christmas Special 24.12.2020

In the spirit of the season, we discuss when a Christmas tree is dead. (Thanks to Listener Darran.) John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

198: Soda 14.12.2020

Fizzy water. Is it soda, or pop, or a soft drink, or something else? (Incomparable members also get a bonus episode about Coca-Cola and cocaine, also released today.) John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

197: Indoors 30.11.2020

When are we indoors and when are we outdoors? And where do tents fit in? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

196: Video 16.11.2020

Is a GIF a video? (Incomparable members also get a bonus episode about movie studio logos, released today.) John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

195: Child 02.11.2020

When is a child no longer a child? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

194: Henge 19.10.2020

When the definition escapes its antecedent. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

193: Puppet 05.10.2020

When is it a puppet, and when is it just someone in a suit? And what does this mean for the future of Gritty? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

192: Backup Brain 21.09.2020

If we clone your body and transfer your memories to it, is it you? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

191: Game 07.09.2020

The universe is Candy Land. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

190: Pillow 24.08.2020

You can use this podcast as a pillow, if you like, but it’s still not a pillow. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

189: What We're Owed 11.08.2020

When a book series hasn’t completed, what does the author owe us? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

188: Reboot 27.07.2020

Beginning in this episode, Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto will be portraying John and Jason. Or not. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

187: The Cloud 13.07.2020

Is The Cloud just Other People’s Computers? Watch out for Cloud Men! John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

186: Gum 29.06.2020

Most people aren’t eating light bulbs. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

185: Blanket 15.06.2020

Listener James sends us a special message from beneath his blanket. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

184: Indie Developer 01.06.2020

What’s an Indie Developer, and is John one now? What does it mean to be “indie?” John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

183: Slots and Ports 18.05.2020

Is a port a slot? PCMCIA cards have slots, but USB devices have ports. Either way, Jason has to make amends. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

182: Working From Home 04.05.2020

Whatever this is called, a lot of us are doing it these days. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

181: Camera 20.04.2020

My other car is also a camera. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

180: Tabs 06.04.2020

Tabs or spaces? AFTERSHOW: Commas. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

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