Robot or Not?

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. <p>John Siracusa and Jason Snell.</p>

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 defines a robot as “Your Plastic Pal Who’s Fun to Be With.” The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy defines the marketing division of the Sirius Cybernetic Corporation as “a bunch of mindless jerks who’ll be the first against the wall when the revolution comes.” <p>John Siracusa and Jason Snell.</p>

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

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. <p>John Siracusa and Jason Snell.</p>

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

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

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. <p>John Siracusa and Jason Snell.</p>

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. <p>John Siracusa and Jason Snell.</p>

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

Listener Santiago wonders if a ‘wolf-inspired’ vehicle from Kawasaki is a robot, a metal horse, or just a vehicle. <p>John Siracusa and Jason Snell.</p>

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? <p>John Siracusa and Jason Snell.</p>

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. <p>John Siracusa and Jason Snell.</p>

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. <p>John Siracusa and Jason Snell.</p>

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?! <p>John Siracusa and Jason Snell.</p>

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? <p>John Siracusa and Jason Snell.</p>

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? <p>John Siracusa and Jason Snell.</p>

Listener Caleb saw an ergonomics assistance backpack at a trade show, advertised as a robot. Can you wear… a robot? <p>John Siracusa and Jason Snell.</p>

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

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. <p>John Siracusa and Jason Snell.</p>

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? <p>John Siracusa and Jason Snell.</p>