Robot or Not?

165: Leftovers 09.09.2019 5:31 ↓

When does a meal turn into leftovers? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

164: Cover Version 26.08.2019 4:03 ↓

Listener Luke sent in this week’s theme song. Is it a cover version of our canonical theme song? When is a new version of a song not a cover? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

163: Family 14.08.2019 7:44 ↓

What constitutes family? Blood relatives only? Are friends family? Are co-workers family? Can you escape your family? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

162: Doors 29.07.2019 3:25 ↓

What about when they’re ajar? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

161: Storefronts 15.07.2019 6:35 ↓

Select all the STOREFRONTS to prove that you’re a human. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

160: Bacon 01.07.2019 6:09 ↓

By popular demand, John has done his research—or maybe not?—and is here to break down what is bacon and what is an impostor. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

159: Campus Delivery Robots 11.06.2019 4:30 ↓

Prompted by a note from Listener Zach, we discuss the trend of “autonomous food delivery vehicles” on college campuses. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

158: Pants 03.06.2019 2:46 ↓

The entire conversation is pants. (The Brits will get that.) John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

157: Board Games 20.05.2019 9:21 ↓

How much board is required? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

156: Combination Restaurants 06.05.2019 7:02 ↓

We’ll see you at the Carl’s Jr./Green Burrito/KFC/Taco Bell. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

155: TV and Movies 15.04.2019 15:57 ↓

When is it a TV show and when is it a movie? It’s confusing. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

154: American Food 01.04.2019 6:01 ↓

It all goes back to Mesopotamia. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

153: Live Action 18.03.2019 8:20 ↓

If the new “Lion King” film features CGI animals talking with other CGI animals, is it a “live-action” movie or just a different kind of animation? What about a movie like “Avengers: Infinity War”? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

152: Milk 04.03.2019 5:16 ↓

Legal news: Is Almond Milk milk? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

151: "Chick Flick" 18.02.2019 9:31 ↓

What is a “Chick Flick”? Let’s start off by taking apart the term itself. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

150: Marty the Supermarket Robot 04.02.2019 6:35 ↓

In a rare topical episode, John and Jason discuss Marty, the tall, googly-eyed robot that may soon be roaming the aisles of a supermarket near you. Does Marty meet the Roomba test? Are the googly eyes fooling anyone? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

149: Simulated Universe 21.01.2019 9:01 ↓

Is this real or are we in a video game? How can we tell the true nature of the universe? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

148: Hacker 07.01.2019 2:16 ↓

Do hackers do good, or bad, or both? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

147: Cult 24.12.2018 8:16 ↓

“Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.” Merry Christmas, everybody! John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

146: GIF 10.12.2018 5:20 ↓

Choosy mothers pronounce it differently. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

145: Database 26.11.2018 3:49 ↓

Where spreadsheets and databases collide. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

144: Soup 12.11.2018 6:15 ↓

“You haven’t done soup yet, have you?” John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

143: Phones 29.10.2018 6:55 ↓

Smartphones, dumb phones, feature phones, and computers in your pocket. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

142: Toasters 15.10.2018 9:20 ↓

Slot toasters, toaster ovens, and the definitions thereof. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

141: Podcasting 01.10.2018 2:50 ↓

What makes something a podcast? OMG, are we one?! John Siracusa and Jason Snell.