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 54 seconds
    343: Pizza Robot

    Live from Estes Park, Colorado, listener Kyle has eaten at a pizza place where his food was delivered via a robot! But… is it a robot, or not? After a swift verdict, John and Jason then spend far more time digging deep on Antonio’s Pizza and what sort of pizza it provides to the people of Colorado.

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

    Show Notes & Links

    Antonio's Pizza

    Orionstar Smart Restaurant Waiter

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    20 April 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 4 minutes 37 seconds
    342: Superhero Naming Conventions

    Listener Joshua is really focused on the grammar of Superhero and Supervillain names. Is Batman a bat? Does Doctor Doom have an advanced degree? Can Rogue keep her name while joining the X-Men? Are there any rules at all?

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

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    13 April 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 2 minutes 26 seconds
    341: Life on the Moon (and Mars?)

    Listener Jack seeks a true definition of what it means when we say “humans will live on the Moon (or Mars).” Does a brief visit count? Do you need to grow your own potatoes?

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

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    7 April 2026, 5:17 pm
  • 3 minutes 21 seconds
    340: Out of Pocket

    Listener Tom really wants us to explain what it means if someone is “out of pocket.” This leads to some existential questions about the pocket and the people who may not be in it.

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

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    23 March 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 4 minutes 38 seconds
    339: Can

    Listener Niels follows on from the logical question of if a glass can be made of plastic to ponder what makes a can a can.

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

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    16 March 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 1 minute 51 seconds
    338: Facial Hair

    Listener Justin tries to get us to stretch the definition of “facial hair” beyond the beard.

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

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    9 March 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 2 minutes 44 seconds
    337: Shirt

    Listener Roy brings us into his debate with his teenage son about what makes a shirt a shirt.

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

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    2 March 2026, 5:00 pm
  • 2 minutes 50 seconds
    336: Building

    Listener Jack wants to know if a few famous gates and statues are also buildings.

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

    Show Notes & Links

    Brandenburg Gate (DW)

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    23 February 2026, 5:00 pm
  • 4 minutes
    335: Pop-Tart Pie

    Listener Gregory thinks Pop-Tarts are pies. We have ratio questions. Also: We remember so many burned palates caused by calzones and McDonald’s fruit pies.

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

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    16 February 2026, 5:30 pm
  • 6 minutes 56 seconds
    334: Open-Faced Sandwiches and French Bread Pizzas

    Listener Gregory tries to confuse us with a question about open-faced sandwiches and pizza. We largely ignore him and talk about different ways to eat things that are like pizza, but aren’t quite pizza.

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

    Show Notes & Links

    See also: Pizza

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    9 February 2026, 5:30 pm
  • 3 minutes 14 seconds
    333: Scrolling

    Listener Scott’s wife sure has a strange definition of which way is up.

    John Siracusa and Jason Snell

    Show Notes & Links

    See also: Swiping Right

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    2 February 2026, 5:00 pm
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