156: Combination Restaurants
We’ll see you at the Carl’s Jr./Green Burrito/KFC/Taco Bell. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
Episodes
Robot or Not?
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 robot@theincomparable.com.
Episodes
155: TV and Movies
When is it a TV show and when is it a movie? It’s confusing. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
154: American Food
It all goes back to Mesopotamia. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
153: Live Action
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
Legal news: Is Almond Milk milk? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
151: "Chick Flick"
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
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
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
Do hackers do good, or bad, or both? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
147: Cult
“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
Choosy mothers pronounce it differently. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
145: Database
Where spreadsheets and databases collide. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
144: Soup
“You haven’t done soup yet, have you?” John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
143: Phones
Smartphones, dumb phones, feature phones, and computers in your pocket. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
142: Toasters
Slot toasters, toaster ovens, and the definitions thereof. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
141: Podcasting
What makes something a podcast? OMG, are we one?! John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
140: Bread
Bread is bread, but what about hot dog buns, bagels, tortillas, and pitas? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
139: Planets, and also Pluto
John is given the opportunity to endorse or reject the rulings of the International Astronomical Union. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
138: Job Security
John’s worked (and left) a lot of jobs. What’s his personal philosophy about job security versus going it alone as an independent? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
137: Nerds and Geeks
The subtle and vexing difference between a nerd and a geek. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
136: Programming
What is computer programming? And what doesn’t qualify? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
135: Reality TV
When is a game show a game show, and when is it reality television? Also, we reveal our favorite reality TV show. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
134: Personal Computers
Is a Mac a PC? Is an iPad a computer? Does John favor a broad definition or a narrow one? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
133: Gnocchi
What makes pasta pasta? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
132: Seasons
The conundrum of seasons versus eternally pleasant weather. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
131: Savory Donuts
Bagels are not donuts, people. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
130: Sweaters
Listener Ed, we’ve got bad news. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
129: Pets
What makes an animal a pet? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
128: The Midwest
Did both of Jason’s parents both come from the Midwest, or only one? What are the true boundaries of America’s heartland? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
127: Potato Chips
From Sour Cream & Onion to BBQ, what are the “real” potato chip flavors? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.