Robot Or Not?

On John’s other podcast, Casey Liss often says he lied when he means he made a mistake. So what is a lie? (Trust us, we totally answer this one.) John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

Listener Nick wonders what John’s policy on spoilers is. (Spoilers for “Romeo and Juliet” and “Citizen Kane.”) John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

Hold on, John, Jason’s got this one. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

Live from the Relay FM Podcastathon, Jason and special guest Stephen Hackett ask John a bunch of questions from the Robot Or Not question list. Topics include: Toast, Roadkill, Sandwich Order of Operations, Garage, and Cereal Soup. Please donate to St. Jude and help move us one step closer to the day where no child dies from cancer.

Listener Jamie wonders whether his dog is really sighing. We discuss noises dogs make. Also, after posting our previous episode we realized we got the numbering of the podcast out of order. Sigh.

Listener Andrew is worried that things we say are “the worst” are really just bad.

Listener Magnus is concerned that his favorite podcast is on hiatus. When is something on hiatus and when is it cancelled?

Finally we talk about robots again. If a robot controls a camera, is it a camera robot?

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If it’s never meant to make a cookie, is it still cookie dough? (Also: Peanut Butter Spread, Cheese Food, and other food labeling we have known.)

This time we’re throwing shade. But do sunglasses?

If any device can open a door, is every device a key?

A chair is not a house and house is not a home, but is a house a building? And what about gazebos?

Jason’s trip to his mother’s house makes him rethink his definition of what a dish is. Also, he gets some upsetting news about the long-term relationship between the fork and the spoon.

Don’t anthromorphize ports. They hate that.

Where do beaches exist? And what materials do they need to be comprised of?

The difference between islands and continents, and also why Pluto can be a planet if you want to lower your standards.

Sometimes they’re wicked, sometimes not. Can an adult call a parent’s new wife a stepmom? Bonus: Can you be too old to be an orphan?

Listener Chris clues us into an important ice safety campaign.

Shoes, socks, sandals, boots. Footwear is complicated.