Robot or Not?

Listener Gregory makes us wonder if pizza made, not in a truck, but in a separate wood-fired oven trailer, is a food truck… or perhaps something else?

Hosts John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

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Unlike us, Listener Jerry has spent his entire career on robots. Listener Jerry helps us understand why the term “cobot” exists, and what it really means. Thank you, Listener Jerry.

Hosts John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

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Curiosity, c’est un robot! Robot de cuisine, ce n’est pas un robot!

Thanks to Listener Erik and the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie.

Hosts John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

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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.

Hosts 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 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.”

Hosts John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

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

Hosts John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

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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.

Hosts John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

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

Hosts John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

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Listener Steven makes a lot of assumptions about what games are card games, but we set him straight.

Hosts John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

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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.

Hosts John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.