Robot or Not?

361: Car Wash

Is a car wash a building with machinery in it or a robot? This question allows us to flip the “episodes since ‘Robot or Not’ was about robots” sign back to zero. John Sir

360: Douglas Adams

The Encyclopedia Galactica defines a robot as a mechanical apparatus designed to do the work of a man. The marketing division of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation define

359: Overseas

Is a place overseas if you don’t have to go over a sea to get there? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

358: (Parenthetical) Song Titles

If you can’t hear part of this episode it’s because that part was in parentheses. Thanks to (Listener) Charlie for sending in this question. John Siracusa and Jason Snell

357: More Boats

Listener Joseph is unclear about where rafts fit into the whole boat hierarchy. We also toss some kayaks, canoes, and submarines into the water. John Siracusa and Jason S

356: Card Game

Listener Steven makes a lot of assumptions about what games are card games, but we set him straight. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

355: Hikes and Walks

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

354: Tennis Robot (Derogatory)

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

353: Stuffing/Dressing

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

352: 'Wolf-Inspired' Robot

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.

351: Cobot

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

350: Pasta Sauce

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

349: Video Game

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. J

348: Colloquial Robot

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? Ar

347: Official

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 lin

346: Pizza Wheel

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.

345: Wearable Robot

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.

344: Look-Up

Listener Jason used ChatGPT to find information that answered a colleague’s question. But did he “look it up?” John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

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

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 w