Listener Tim asks us about when a walk becomes a hike. Is it about topology? Degree of difficulty? Those seeking hard and fast rules may be frustrated by the result.

John Siracusa and Jason Snell

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Just in time for Wimbledon, Listener Muhammad provides a “tennis robot” for us to judge. We issue a judgment, but we’re not particularly happy about it.

John Siracusa and Jason Snell

Show Notes & Links

Acemate Tennis Robot

Trajekt (baseball system)

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Listener Wes has a Scotland-based observation about whether baked potatoes are stuffed or dressed. Seems straightforward, innit?

John Siracusa and Jason Snell

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Listener Santiago wonders if a ‘wolf-inspired’ vehicle from Kawasaki is a robot, a metal horse, or just a vehicle.

John Siracusa and Jason Snell

Show Notes & Links

Kawasaki’s wolf-inspired, four-legged robot lets riders traverse uneven terrain

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Listener Paul has heard the term “cobot” to refer to “collaborative robots,” but can a robot that requires a human to function really be a robot?

John Siracusa and Jason Snell

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Listener Griffin wonders what you could put on pasta that would arguably make it a sauce. John probably considers this sacrilege, but here we are.

John Siracusa and Jason Snell

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Listeners Mark and Matt wants to know if everything on a screen is a video game. Jason ponders the idea that a PDF printout of a crossword puzzle could be a video game. John says that he is being silly and he should take these questions more seriously.

John Siracusa and Jason Snell

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Listener Matt has caught John in a trap, because once on ATP John referred to something as a robot that is not a robot. Does John use his own definitions in real life? Are podcasts real life? What is the meaning of this?!

John Siracusa and Jason Snell

Show Notes & Links

ATP 643

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Unofficial Fan of “Robot or Not” Alexander wants to know what makes something official. Why are David Smith’s transcripts of The Talk Show “unofficial” if John Gruber links to them?

John Siracusa and Jason Snell

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Listener Ed doesn’t keep his pizza wheel in his knife, but it’s got a blade and cuts things. What makes a knife a knife?

John Siracusa and Jason Snell

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Listener Caleb saw an ergonomics assistance backpack at a trade show, advertised as a robot. Can you wear… a robot?

John Siracusa and Jason Snell

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