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Artwork for Robot or Not?
Robotics
Sandwich
Gibson Robot Guitar
Pizza
English Language
Robots
Charger
Landscaping
Hoodies
Basement
Scrolling
Roomba
Podcasting
Pasta
Fast Food
Travel
El Camino
Artificial Intelligence
Out Of Pocket (phrase)
Robot

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes363Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PhilosophySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Robot or Not?

Latest Episodes

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 Siracusa and Jason Snell

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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 ... more

Is a place overseas if you don’t have to go over a sea to get there?

John Siracusa and Jason Snell

Show Notes & Links

"San Diego's newest overseas nonstop flight starts today"

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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

Show Notes & Links

ATP 642

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Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Hosts

Jason Snell
Host of the show; a long-running figure in tech and entertainment media with ties to the network
John Siracusa
Co-host known for rigorous definitions and linguistic precision; frequent collaborator on this program and other outlets

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 212 ratings
  • Yay

    Yay. O

    -I-

    /\

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    XD LOL SaNs iS nEsS
    United States2 years ago
  • Top of my playlist

    I always listen to this show first. Short and fun, well worth going through the whole series.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jefe317
    United States2 years ago
  • Love it

    Sweet and short! Keep it up

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RktLg_Sqre
    United States3 years ago
  • Extremely short and fun!

    Brief little discussions about definitions, wacky in a fun way.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Blizzard1s2d
    United States5 years ago
  • Fun yet thought provoking

    Aside from being guaranteed entertainment and wit, it makes for a quick and cheery listen.

    P.S. if you’re new to the show, listen to a new non-robot episode e.g. Bacon, Doors and Is Star Wars Sci-fi, as well as a classic Robot one from the archives.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Philosophium Paradoxide
    United Kingdom6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Sometimes overly pedantic but still entertaining and playful.
Witty, accessible take on nerdy topics and language.
Smart, fast debates with sharp definitions; great for quick, thoughtful breaks.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

273: Lies
Q: Did Casey lie or did he just make a mistake?
Casey just made a mistake; he uses hyperbolic humor when he claims he lied.
273: Lies
Q: Does a lie require intent?
Yes, lying requires intent, which distinguishes it from making a mistake.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Robot or Not?

What is Robot or Not? about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A concise, witty face-off format where two hosts debate word meanings, definitions, and the boundaries of what counts as a robot, extending to broader philosophical and linguistic topics. Episodes mix brisk, toy-channel-length conversations with sharper insights into language, taxonomy, and how people categorize everyday concepts. The show stands out for its rapid-fire banter, clear stances, and a playful willingness to challenge labels and definitions in techy, nerdy, and cultural contexts.

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Which podcasts are similar to Robot or Not??

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1. Upgrade
2. The Talk Show With John Gruber
3. Connected
4. Accidental Tech Podcast
5. Reconcilable Differences

How many episodes of Robot or Not? are there?

Robot or Not? launched 11 years ago and published 363 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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