Robot or Not?

The Incomparable

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 [email protected].

  • 7 minutes 44 seconds
    328: Hoodie

    Stephen Hackett has called us out and requests John’s ruling.

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

    Show Notes & Links

    Hoodie?

    Connected 538: A Future That Is Now Stuck in the Past

    Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

    1 December 2025, 10:25 pm
  • 5 minutes 39 seconds
    327: Blogs

    What’s a blog, and what’s a news outlet? Are Jason and John bloggers?

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

    Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

    10 November 2025, 4:43 pm
  • 2 minutes 44 seconds
    326: Spiders and Other Bugs

    Listener Kev needs us to unpack John’s comment about “spiders and other bugs.” Does that mean spiders are bugs? And what are the other bugs? Spooky!

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

    Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

    27 October 2025, 3:45 pm
  • 1 minute 26 seconds
    325: Wire

    Listener Matt can’t stand it when someone calls a USB cable a wire. But what does John think?

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

    Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

    13 October 2025, 3:42 pm
  • 2 minutes 23 seconds
    324: Landscaper

    Who scapes the lands? Who gardens the gardens? Who mows and who blows? Not us!

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

    Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

    29 September 2025, 3:41 pm
  • 6 minutes 40 seconds
    323: Pasta Roundup

    John fields some important questions about pasta from listeners Connor, Joshua, and Lee, including the definition of Al Dente and noodles versus pasta.

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

    Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

    15 September 2025, 3:40 pm
  • 2 minutes 55 seconds
    322: Vehicle

    Listener Eric asks if vehicles are only motorized, and we ponder how small a thing can be before it’s not a vehicle anymore.

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

    Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

    1 September 2025, 3:39 pm
  • 3 minutes 4 seconds
    321: Glass

    Can a drinking glass be made out of plastic? Or is it just a cup?

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

    Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

    18 August 2025, 3:38 pm
  • 1 minute 14 seconds
    320: Parasol

    Summer is in full swing, so Listener Ken has asked us to differentiate between umbrellas and parasols.

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

    Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

    4 August 2025, 3:37 pm
  • 2 minutes 2 seconds
    319: Market

    Listener Marc ponders the “VR headset market” and wants to know what makes a market a market.

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

    Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

    21 July 2025, 3:36 pm
  • 2 minutes 5 seconds
    318: Charger

    Listener Eric really needs his kids to differentiate between charger blocks and charging cables.

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

    Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

    7 July 2025, 3:35 pm
  • More Episodes? Get the App