156: Combination Restaurants
We’ll see you at the Carl’s Jr./Green Burrito/KFC/Taco Bell.
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.
154: American Food
It all goes back to Mesopotamia.
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”?
152: Milk
Legal news: Is Almond Milk milk?
151: "Chick Flick"
What is a “Chick Flick”? Let’s start off by taking apart the term itself.
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?
149: Simulated Universe
Is this real or are we in a video game? How can we tell the true nature of the universe?
148: Hacker
Do hackers do good, or bad, or both?
147: Cult
“Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.” Merry Christmas, everybody!
146: GIF
Choosy mothers pronounce it differently.
145: Database
Where spreadsheets and databases collide.
144: Soup
“You haven’t done soup yet, have you?”
143: Phones
Smartphones, dumb phones, feature phones, and computers in your pocket.
142: Toasters
Slot toasters, toaster ovens, and the definitions thereof.
141: Podcasting
What makes something a podcast? OMG, are we one?!
140: Bread
Bread is bread, but what about hot dog buns, bagels, tortillas, and pitas?
139: Planets, and also Pluto
John is given the opportunity to endorse or reject the rulings of the International Astronomical Union.
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?
137: Nerds and Geeks
The subtle and vexing difference between a nerd and a geek.
136: Programming
What is computer programming? And what doesn’t qualify?
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.
134: Personal Computers
Is a Mac a PC? Is an iPad a computer? Does John favor a broad definition or a narrow one?
133: Gnocchi
What makes pasta pasta?
132: Seasons
The conundrum of seasons versus eternally pleasant weather.
131: Savory Donuts
Bagels are not donuts, people.
130: Sweaters
Listener Ed, we’ve got bad news.
129: Pets
What makes an animal a pet?
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?
127: Potato Chips
From Sour Cream & Onion to BBQ, what are the “real” potato chip flavors?