Hey friends, do you have a young adult in your life who's looking to beef up their financial know -how?
Then check out the new season of Financially Inclined, hosted by Janelle Espinal.
This season, the show is tackling topics like how to align your values with your money decisions, the skill of negotiating, and what you can get out of internships.
Financially Inclined is presented in partnership with Greenlight, the debit card and money app for teens.
Greenlight helps teens learn to earn, save, spend wisely and invest. Tune in to Financially Inclined wherever you find your podcasts.
From the brains behind Brains On it's Smash Boom Best. The show for people with big opinions.
Hi, I'm Molly Bloom and this is Smash Boom Best. The show where we take two things, smash them together and ask you to decide which one is best. Today's debate will you from here to there, it's an uplifting showdown of 2 transit titans, it's the ultimate battle of cables versus steps, give it up for Elevators versus Escalators.
We've got comedian, musician, writer and activist, Daevon Bland ready to up the ante for Team Elevators.
And singer, writer, actor, and comedian Andrew Barbato is here to step it up for Team Escalators.
Escalator riders of the world, rise up.
Because today we're taking elevators all the way down.
Whoa. That escalated quickly.
And here to judge it all is Claire from Plano, Texas.
Claire loves dogs, enjoys music and theater, and has written books.
Hi, Claire. Hello, Molly.
So Claire, I understand you've written a whole series of books.
What is the series about?
It's called the Delta Dog series and it's about this school where dogs go and they get special powers and so they live in a dog world where the dogs can talk and they take a portal to the human world where it's all, you know, regular dogs who bark and regular people, and they fixed bad situations that happen in that world.
That is so cool. So I also hear that you have a YouTube channel where you sing and your grandpa plays the drums. Yes.
And I sing original songs mostly.
You are multi -talented.
So, do you have any advice for our debaters today?
Comedy. Facts. Bring it.
That was inspirational.
It was inspirational.
will Claire side with Davon or Andrew?
What a transporting question.
Claire, are you ready to judge today's debate?
Oh, yes, I'm so excited.
Before we dive in let's review the rules of the game.
Every debate consists of four rounds of argumentation.
The declaration of greatness, the micro round, the sneak attack and the final six.
After each round, our judge Claire will award points to the team that impresses her the most. But she'll keep her decisions top secret until the end of the debate.
Listeners, we want you to judge too.
Mark down your points as you listen.
At the end of the show, head to our website, Smashboom .org and vote for whichever team you think won.
Okay, Dave on, Andrew, and Claire, are you ready?
Oh, yeah. Oh yeah, baby.
I'm here to bring it with comedy and facts.
I'm also ready to do that as well.
Then it's time for the declaration of greatness.
In this round, our debaters will present a well -crafted, immersive argument in favor of their side.
Then, they'll each have 30 seconds to rebut their opponents' statements.
We've flipped a coin, and Davon, you're up first. Tell us what makes elevators the height of cool.
When I was a kid, I lived on the very top floor of a tall building in Minneapolis.
To get all the way to our apartment you either had to struggle up twelve flights of stairs carrying backpacks, bags of groceries, you name it!
Or, you could take the elevator.
Two elevators went up and down every day, helping hundreds of folks get where they needed to go.
Us kids would play in the hallway right outside of the elevators.
And lots of times when the doors opened, one of our family members or neighbors would step out and say hi.
Elevators seemed like a magic portal.
Felt like they could take me anywhere.
to my friend Ibraheem's apartment, downstairs to the mailroom or even to a special little courtyard in my building.
The possibilities seem endless and my fascination with these incredible machines has continued to grow over the years.
So hop aboard while we take a journey with my friend Ellie the elevator.
Oh, hey Davon, long time no see.
Hey buddy, how's elevator life?
Oh you know I've had some ups and downs.
Really could use a friend to uplift me.
You know bring me to new heights.
Come on this is some of my best stuff.
Yes Ellie, very funny.
Hey can take us to the second floor?
Sure thing, I think we're on the same level here.
Still got it. Going up!
Okay, so the first thing that's awesome about elevators, they're super easy to use.
Yeah, no more exhausting yourself going up several rows of stairs, now you can get where you need to go with just the push of a magical button!
Right. Whether you have a wheelchair, walker, baby stroller, or bicycle, an elevator takes you where you want to go.
I mean, have we ever tried taking a stroller on an escalator?
Seriously, it looks so hard it should be an Olympic sport.
And elevators aren't just super helpful for moving people, they're also great for moving your stuff.
Yeah, can you imagine trying to move out of your apartment on an escalator?
You'd be riding up and down all day carrying heavy boxes and couches.
With an elevator, you just load it up once, and you're done.
Great point, Ellie.
why don't we head to the next floor.
I thought you'd never ask.
Going up. Elevators are also super safe.
That's because back in the 1800s, an inventor named Elijah Otis created the safety elevator.
It had special spring powered brakes that kicked in if the elevator rope broke.
Otis showcased it in 1853 at the New York World's Fair.
Feast your eyes on the amazing elevator.
Watch as I ride all the way to the tippy top.
And now I'll have my assistant cut the rope holding it.
Behold! The elevator only falls a couple of inches before making a full stop.
Not to toot my own horn but my great -great -great -great -great -grand elevator helped Elijah Otis change history.
Toot -toot! Hey Devon, how's about we go up one more floor?
Even today, elevators are still an engineering marvel.
Traction elevators in very tall skyscrapers can rise hundreds of feet in the air using special cable systems and weights, and some even travel up to two thousand feet per minute.
Plus elevators of all kinds have helped humans build taller buildings.
For centuries, buildings could only be as tall as humans could walk or climb before they get tired, which meant most only went up about five or six stories, but elevators changed all that.
Imagine if the Empire State Building was only six stories tall.
Yeah, if you ask me, it seems like the safest, easiest to use and fastest team here is Team Elevators.
I mean, do you know how many pairs of Crocs Escalators destroy each year?
I for one would never hurt a Croc.
You like Crocs? I love all kinds of shoes.
They might be beneath me, but I'm still down to earth.
Okay. Good one, Elle.
Good one. Elevators are friend to all taking us to great heights.
Clare, what stood out to you about Daevon's declaration of greatness?
I loved all the elevator puns, that was awesome.
Great elevator puns.
Now, Andrew, it is time for your rebuttal.
Tell us why elevators belong in the basement, you've got 30 seconds and your time starts now.
All right, before I really dive in, I need to just dispel this myth about crocs.
You know what? I'm not going to go so low as to say elevators are dangerous.
I don't want to say that.
Have scary things happened on elevators?
Yes, I'm not going to mention that.
And I think we need to make sure that we're not going to say that crocs are being destroyed by escalators.
It's just not true.
So moving forward let's take us all the way back.
Remember when you and your friend Abraham would see people come in and out of the elevator?
And time. Oh my gosh.
Oh wow. You're just getting started.
Escalator's so bad, elevator's so good.
Okay Andrew I know you have a lot more to say.
Just the tip of the iceberg there please tell us why escalators always rise to the occasion.
Hey there. You caught me walking through the mall on my way to the pet store.
I need another peacock since my current one refuses to watch Matlock alone.
Out of my way! Out of my way!
I'm gonna be late. Whoa, what's the big rush?
Ugh, I'm late. I'm headed to Wally Wichita's Watch Workshop on the fifth floor.
But they're closing in five minutes.
Uh, which is faster?
The elevator or the escalator?
Well now let's see.
The elevator is a fart -filled horror box full of terrible music and germy buttons that might stop at every floor.
The escalator is a delightful, airy, perpetually -moving staircase that you can run up as fast as you want, so yeah, if you want to have a happy and successful life definitely take the escalator.
Phew, good idea. Thanks!
Actually it was a great idea because when it comes to getting around, the escalator is always a step above the rest. See what I did there?
But seriously, escalators just make more sense.
Unlike elevators, which can only move a few people at a time, an escalator can move dozens if not hundreds of people that same distance much more efficiently.
That's why we tend to see escalators, sporting events, transit hubs and shopping centers.
Can you imagine going to any of these places if they didn't have escalators?
Yikes! What's with the massive line?
Oh, you didn't hear?
This baseball stadium doesn't have any escalators.
Only elevators. But there's only 10 elevators!
And at least 10 ,000 people here!
We're gonna miss the game.
Wow! 10 ,000 people and just 10 elevators!
That would take forever!
If that imaginary stadium had escalators, they could move thousands of people at a time with little weight!
In Hong Kong, there's an escalator system that stretches nearly half a mile and moves 78 ,000 people every day.
Talk about efficiency!
Elevators, on the other hand, are the total opposite of efficiency!
I mean, just look at them.
Usually, you can only fit a few people inside at a time, and when you have stops on multiple floors, they can take forever!
You wanna know what's faster than taking an elevator?
A turtle swimming in jelly, a sloth doing an impression of a snail.
Even stairs are faster!
Researchers at one Canadian hospital found that doctors who took the stairs instead of an elevator saved an average of 15 minutes of their work day.
Fifteen minutes! Imagine what helpful deeds a doctor could do with all that extra time!
Doctor, this man needs emergency butt surgery!
Should we take the elevator?
Not if we want his butt to live, doctor!
Take the stairs stat, or better yet, the escalator!
Those doctors had the right idea because you know what's even faster than stairs?
Escalators! On average, escalators move at about one foot per second.
Not only that, when escalators are broken, they're still faster than elevators.
Because when escalators are broken, they just become stairs.
That's right. Escalators are so incredible that even when they break down, they still work!
You know what an elevator becomes when it breaks down?
A tiny box that forces you to make small talk.
so um you live in the city yep you um like the weather yeah huh you like the weather in the city I should have taken the escalator wasn't that awful that happens every day on an elevator Listen, wherever you're going, I want you and everyone you know to get there quickly, safely, and efficiently.
And that means taking a ride on a machine that never stops, keeps things smooth, and always gets you where you need to go.
That means taking an escalator.
Soothing sounds of an escalator?
Oh, cause it can be soothing as well.
There's so many things that it can be.
Escalator's saving us all from small talk.
Claire, what stood out to you about Andrew's Declaration of Greatness?
Well, I really like the puns.
Again, you really brought the puns, I like that.
I really thought the Hong Kong escalator was really interesting.
I was like, that's a lot of people.
Mm -hmm. Very true. Okay, Devin.
It is time for your rebuttal.
Tell us why escalators don't move you at all.
You've got 30 seconds and your time starts now.
Well, first of all, my dear friend, Ellie, the elevator is way faster than a turtle in jelly.
Also, a turtle could not take an escalator without maybe being in danger of harming itself, so there's that.
Escalators cause injuries, escalators do turn into stairs, and guess what?
Not everybody can take stairs.
Also, taking stairs is very exhausting.
I don't want to go up something and then get exhausted.
Elevators are amazing.
Also, Hong Kong is in China and one of the fastest elevators is also in China.
That's probably going faster than the escalator.
Molly, I just need to say again, Daevon, whom I, on a personal level, adore, has started once again, saying that a turtle is going to be harmed by an escalator.
It's just a fact, right?
No, you know, I'm not going to go there.
We're not going to mud -sling.
Okay, good, we're going to keep it clean today.
Claire, our debaters Andrew and Davon have given you a lot to think about, but it is time to award some points.
Please give one point to the declaration of greatness you liked best and one point to the rebuttal that won you over.
You get to decide what makes a winning argument.
Did one team's jokes make you giggle?
Was another team's logic sheer perfection?
Award your points, but don't tell us who they're going to.
Have you made your decision?
I have, it was really hard, though.
Excellent. Andrew, Davon, how are you two feeling so far?
I feel pretty good.
I think all things are looking up.
Yeah, I'm rising in new heights.
My passion is ascending off of the charts.
I mean, there's a lot going on.
Okay, it's time for a quick break.
Go get your steps and lift your spirits.
And we'll be right back with more Smash Boom Best. Hey, friends, Molly, Sanden, and Marc here with some very big news.
Drum roll, please. We're hitting the road in search of adventure, fresh air, and you.
That's right. We're going to be live at the Boulder Theater in Boulder, Colorado on Sunday, April 27.
Our science -themed live stage show takes the audience on an adventure through the brain, complete with magic tricks, dance moves, out of body experiences, mystery sounds and a game show.
Molly you almost left out the most important part.
Yeah Molly don't forget the big party.
Oh right, after the shows we're throwing a brain -tastic bash.
Join us afterward for a VIP party where we'll play games, guest mystery sounds, pose for photos and give as many high fives as humanly possible.
Snag a spot by purchasing a VIP pass when you buy your show ticket.
Oh, that reminds me I've gotta start training these hands aren't gonna high five by themselves good idea and Remember spots are limited.
So grab your tickets today at brains on org events You're listening to state of debate home to raging rhetoric and awe -inspiring Ahoy, Debate Mates!
It's Debate Fanatic and captain of the doggone great cruise ship, Todd Douglas.
And please, put your paws together for Taylor Lincoln!
Ahoy, Todd! I still can't believe we managed to land this gig running a cruise ship for dogs.
Anything is POSSIBLE when you put your mind to it, Tay Tay.
Right you are, T -Dog.
And it just so happens that I have a real tail -wagger of a logical fallacy today.
– a logical fallacy is a weak -sauce argument that makes a debate easy to disprove.
It all started when one of our four -legged friends witnessed this co -worker spat.
Who's a good girl? That's right!
Ella's a good girl!
Oh, great, Cath. Another dog in the office?
Wait a sec Jen. You don't like dogs?
Ever since the law offices of buyers, buyers and sellers started allowing us to bring our well -behaved pooches to work the mood has really lightened up around here.
Sure but what next?
First it's dogs, next cats, then orangutans and hippos.
By this time next year we could start charging people to visit the buyers, buyers and sellers zoo.
Bau blau blau! Jen's argument is pretty h -rough.
Looks like we've got a slippery slope fallacy on our hands.
Yeah, just because their workplace allows dogs doesn't mean all kinds of animals will be allowed in.
That kind of slippery thinking might get Jen sent to the doghouse.
While the cruise ship is about to dock, can you prepare our canine companions?
Aye aye, captain. Attention poochies!
Get ready for an absolute treat!
We're about to dock at Fetch Island where rope toys are plentiful and there are two tennis balls for each and every one of you!
Now, go get them! We'll see you next time on State of Debate!
You're listening to Smash Boom Best. I'm your host, Molly Bloom.
And I'm your judge, Claire.
We love getting debate suggestions from our listeners.
Take a listen to this fulfilling debate idea from Marcella.
My debate idea is sushi versus pizza.
What a delicious way to victory.
We'll check back in at the end of this episode to see which side Marcella thinks should win.
And now, it's back to our debate, elevators versus escalators.
That's right, and it's time for round two, the...
For the micro round challenge, each team has prepared a creative response to a prompt they received in advance.
For Devon and Andrew, the prompt was holiday song.
Each side had to imagine there's a holiday devoted to their side.
Then we asked them to sing us a song celebrating that holiday.
Devon went first last time, so Andrew your up.
Escalate this debate with your holiday song.
This song goes out to all the people out there who believe correctly that escalators are superior to elevators.
If you wanna get somewhere above you This holiday you can't ignore It's the greatest gift When you need a lift Helpin us ascend to our floor So stand up, time to celebrate As your body escalates Take in the few, as you ascend Then safely step off, while you say Happy Escalator Day Take in the few, as you ascend Then safely step off, while you say Happy Escalator Day Holy cow, Andrew, certified Bop for Escalators' Door.
Thank you, and actually I do wanna just say that Claire, your grandpa was playing the drums on that track.
Yes. That was amazing.
Davon, now it's your turn to raise the bar with your song.
and take an elevator before I get to the door.
I got gifts and giggles and holiday cheer.
Get out of the lives of your friends near and dear, cause there ain't no day as good as elevator day.
Oh my gosh. Y 'all another amazing song.
How are you ever going to award points for this round, Claire?
I have no idea. One song had more of a tune, and then the other song was funnier.
So it's true. There's I mean, they both have a lot going for them.
Both make me want to celebrate the holiday.
It's a tough decision.
But Claire, it is time to award a point.
The criteria are completely up to you.
Did someone make a song that's going to be stuck in your head?
Did someone really sell their holiday?
Did someone make you tap your toes?
Did someone make you dance in your seat?
Whatever the criteria are, they're up to you.
Have you made your decision, Clare?
Yes I have! Alright, it's time for our third round, the super stealthy Sneak Attack.
This is our improvised round where debaters have to respond to a challenge on the spot.
Today's sneak attack is called, you know what they say.
Each debater has to come up with two sayings one for their side and one for the opposing side and tell us What they mean in case you need a refresher these kind of sayings might be something like no use crying over spilled milk Don't throw stones in glass houses an apple a day keeps the doctor away Debaters does this make sense?
That doesn't make sense, yeah.
I think it does. So, Devan, we're going to start with you.
Please tell us your saying that raises up elevators.
Uh, you know, if you're too tired to take the stairs, just take the elevator.
It's one button. You know what they always say?
You know what they always, you know?
If you're too tired to take the stairs, take the elevator.
It's one button. It's one button.
They always say that.
All right, Andrew, it is your turn.
please heighten the stakes with your escalator adage.
Oh gosh, I think I'll just go with the famous saying that goes something like this, exactly like this.
Oh man, oh man, escalator, yup, I did it again.
Hey, do always say that.
Amazing. That's the one.
All right, Davon, now we would like to hear your idiom or adage that is going against escalators.
Escalators? Why kill the croc?
Why kill the croc? Why kill the croc?
They're always saying that.
All right, Andrew, it's your turn.
Please give us your saying against elevators.
All right, well, there's a lot that I would like to say right now, but I'm just going go with the famous saying that I hear all the time, all the time, about elevators.
And it's something like this, it goes, oh, what's that?
Elevator? More like, no way, absolutely not.
That's a no for me, dog.
I have heard that saying so many times.
Oh wow! That's a new one for me.
Oh, it's catching on.
It is catching on. Claire, it is time for you to award a point.
Think about which side impressed you the most and award your fourth point.
But don't tell us who it's going to.
Have you made your decision?
Yes! Perfect. Then it's time for our final round.
The final six. In this round, each team will have just six words to sum up the glory of their side.
Andrew, let's hear your six words to move you up to victory.
Burst out the box, escalators, whee!
Ooh. I love that, took me on a journey.
Okay. Daevon, it's your turn.
Give us your six elevated words.
Okay, yeah. I've thought a lot about this.
Um... Elevators go fast. Escalators kill Crocs.
Look it up! Did you lose a croc to an escalator once?
I know someone who did.
It's feeling personal.
It is feeling very personal.
It's time for revenge.
Is that what it's sounding like?
Alright Claire, it is time for you to award a final point for the final six.
Have you made your decision?
Yes. Alright, are you ready to crown one team the Smash Boom Best?
I am indeed. Alright, drum roll please...
And the winner is...
Escalators! Oh my gosh, excuse me.
I'm so sorry. Oh my gosh.
Whoa. I have to just I'm wearing Crocs right now that haven't been destroyed.
And I'm just, wow. I'm so excited.
Thank you so much. This is a huge honor for me and for my wardrobe filled with Crocs.
I couldn't be happier.
So Claire, was there a moment that really sealed the deal for Escalators?
Well I think that song really spoke to me.
Because, you know, good, good tune, and I was also dancing to it.
You know, it had facts in it.
It was just, it was just great.
I loved it. Amazing work, Andrew.
Well done. Davon, it's been a journey, here.
But what I will take away from this experience is your, the story and journey you took me on with that song.
I cannot stop thinking about it.
Your song brought me so much joy.
I wanna go to the roof and eat the cake, I can't get enough of it, so thank you for bringing that into my life.
It's a national holiday.
Andrew, you were very energetic and it was incredible.
Also, I've got nothing against escalators, it's more the crocs thing.
But you also took us on a journey, and I just like getting places fast. Mm -hmm.
And how. That's it for today's debate battle.
Claire crowned escalators the Smash Boom!
Best, but what about you?
Head to SmashBoom .org and vote to tell us who you think won!
Smash Boom! Best is brought to you by Brains on!
and APM Studios. It's produced by Molly Blum, Hans Butoh, Anna Wego and Aaron Waterslauzer.
We had engineering help from Alex Simpson and Bruce Faulkner with sound design by Hans Butoh and Rachel Breeze.
Our editors are Shayla Farzan and Sandin Toten.
And we have production help from Rosie DuPont, Anna Goldfield, Ruby Guthrie, Mark Sanchez, and Nico Gonzalez -Whistler.
Our executive producer is Beth Perlman and the APM Studios executives in charge are Chandra Kavati, Alec Shaffert, and Johanne Griffith.
Our announcer is Marli Foyerworker Otto, and we wanna give a special thanks to Austin Cross and Taylor Kaufman.
Davon, is there anyone you'd like to give a shout out to today?
I would like to give a big shout out to Wikipedia.
My good friend Aron Aldis, the last thing who told me about this.
And also my girlfriend, if you listen to this, I love you.
Aw. Andrew, how about you?
Any special shout outs?
I would love to give a shout out to the late, great legend Chita Rivera, as well as my therapist, Eli.
Thanks, Eli. And how about you, Claire?
Any special thanks or shout outs?
Shout out to my parents and my sister Grace and all my friends, especially Keris, who prefers stairs to either of these two.
Before we go, let's check in and see who Marcela thinks should win this sushi vs pizza debates.
I think sushi should win because it is bite size, colorful and delicious.
Great reasoning, if you're between the ages of 13 and 18 and you'd like to be a judge Or if you're any age and you have an idea for a knockdown dragout debate, head to smashboom .org slash contact and drop us a line.
And make sure to subscribe to brains on universe on YouTube where you can watch animated versions of some of our favorite episodes.
We'll be back with a new Smash Boom best debate battle next week.
Have a good day, I'm gonna miss you.
Goodbye! Those songs, y 'all, oh my God.
Yes! What a joy. Great job, everyone.
That was incredible.
You crushed it. So good.
So good.
