June 25, 2026 • 36 mins
Jonathan and Kalila go toe-to-toe as guests on the children’s debate podcast, Smash Boom Best, where they debate the merits of phone calls vs. texting. We had a lot of fun doing it, and—if it’s not too bold to presume—we think you will have fun listening to it.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:15):
Pushkin. Welcome to the studio, Khalila Holt, producer.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
You know, I'm not.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Saying that you should, but it would sometimes be nice
to be welcomed into the studio myself.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Well, you've always just jumped right in, and I know
you are welcoming me, you don't really give me the opportunity.
Welcome to the studio, Jonathan.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Oh gee, I was taken unawares by that we're here
in the studio because we have something a little different,
a special treat Yeah, it's something that was new for
both of us, Khalila and I. We were guests on
a children's debate podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
The show is called Smash Boom Best and it's a
favorite of your son, Augius. If I'm not.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Mistaken, Yes, very much so, which is how it kind
of got onto my radar. I started enjoying listening to
it with him and the host, Molly Bloom is kind
of a celeb in our household, so I was a
little starstruck.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
You know, I'm always wary of children's programming because I
hate the kind of like over the top smiley baby voice,
like to syrap. Yeah, but I started listening to the
show in advance of doing this, and I feel like
I really enjoyed the show. They're talking to kids at
like a level that respects their intelligence.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
I would say, yeah, and since we respect you, our
listener's intelligence is it's why we chose to share this
episode Yeah with you all.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
We'll be debating phone calls versus texting.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
I don't want to spoil anything. We went pretty toe
to toe. It got pretty heated during certain moments, but
you know we're here to talk about it. We're still
speaking to one another. So the point is it's always
better to use your words rather than a knuckle sandwich
to the throat of your adversary.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Sure, thank you for not giving me a knuckle sandwich
to the throat.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
I deliver my knuckle sandwiches with words, songs. Bo We
had a lot of fun doing it, and we hope
you'll enjoy listening to it. And that's all coming up
after these.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Fun words from our sponsors.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
Brains On Universe.
Speaker 5 (02:43):
From the brains behind brains On, It's smash Boom Best.
Speaker 6 (02:48):
The show for people with big opinions.
Speaker 7 (02:52):
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,
we've got two ways of reaching out. One starts with
a ring, the other a ding. It's calling versus tech.
Whether you like to type or talk, We're sure you'll
have a lot to say about this one, defending the
(03:15):
tradition of talking on the phone. It's a host of
the Heavyweight podcast, Jonathan Goldstein.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
How do you do?
Speaker 7 (03:21):
And here to hit send for the art of the text,
It's Khalila Holt, producer of the Heavyweight podcast.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Hello, or should I say a handwave emoji?
Speaker 7 (03:32):
And here to judge this clash of the communication styles
is none other than Ella from Oregon City. Ella is
on the swim team, plays flute and saxophone, loves to
make art, and has lots of bracelets on both of
her arms. Welcome Ella, Hi, okay Ella. Since it's a podcast,
we cannot see your amazing bracelets, So can you give
us a sense of the scope of your bracelets?
Speaker 6 (03:55):
I have probably like twenty five on right now.
Speaker 7 (03:58):
Wow, have you made all of them?
Speaker 6 (04:00):
I've probably made half of them?
Speaker 7 (04:02):
Incredible? What are we talking about? Like like string beads,
all of the above.
Speaker 6 (04:06):
All of the above.
Speaker 7 (04:07):
Wow, do you have a favorite?
Speaker 6 (04:09):
I recently made one with soda tabs and it's really
cool and it's stringy.
Speaker 7 (04:14):
That's very impressive. Just soda tabs.
Speaker 6 (04:17):
Yes, well, an string.
Speaker 7 (04:18):
What is the oldest bracelet that you have on?
Speaker 6 (04:21):
I have one that I got in sixth grade and
it says Kindest Ambassador on it and I have worn
it for three years.
Speaker 7 (04:29):
It's amazing. So the ones on your arms right now,
are they like an every day? You wear each one
every day? Or do you change it up?
Speaker 6 (04:35):
Sometimes I change it up, but most of them might
keep it on like all the time.
Speaker 7 (04:38):
Very cool. Okay, So you also make other kinds of
art besides bracelets. What other kind of media do you
use to make art?
Speaker 6 (04:46):
I love like drawing and painting and stuff, but I
also like music.
Speaker 7 (04:51):
Oh yes, you play saxophone and flute. So I'm wondering
when you're playing flute versus when you're playing saxophone, is
there like a vibe shift that you feel or is
it kind of the same.
Speaker 6 (05:03):
It's definitely different vibes because I play more like jazz
music on the saxophone, and then and I do more
like popular songs or like concert music on the flute.
Speaker 7 (05:14):
So when you're playing the saxophone, if you said hello
in your like saxophone playing voice, like, what would that
sound like? Oh?
Speaker 6 (05:21):
I don't know, I'd probably be like hello nice.
Speaker 7 (05:25):
And how about your flute playing voice? What would that
hello sound like?
Speaker 1 (05:28):
Hello?
Speaker 7 (05:31):
Excellent? Excellent? Well will Ella side with texting or phone calls?
Let's see first the rules of the game. Every debate
consists of four rounds, the declaration of greatness, the micro round,
the sneak attack, and the final six. After each round,
our judge Ella will award points to the team that
impresses her the most, but she'll keep her decisions top
(05:52):
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
smash boom dot org and vote for whichever team you
think one. Okay, Khalila, Ella, and Jonathan are you ready?
Speaker 6 (06:09):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (06:09):
I'm ready.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
I hope so.
Speaker 6 (06:11):
I'm ready too.
Speaker 7 (06:14):
Then it's time for the.
Speaker 5 (06:16):
Declaration of greatness.
Speaker 7 (06:19):
In this round, our debaters will present a well crafted,
immersive argument in favor of their side. Then they'll each
have thirty seconds to rebut their opponent's statements. We flipped
a coin and Jonathan, you're up first. Tell us why
we should answer the call of talking on the phone.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
What's the sound of being loved? A heartbeat? No, that's
just body plumbing? Is it someone saying I love you?
I'd argue actions speak louder than words, which is why
to me, the sound of being loved is a phone call.
(06:58):
It says, Hey, I like hearing your voice. I like
the way you laugh, your awkward pauses. It says I
want to spend my precious minutes in real time with you,
even if I can't be there in real life. A
text just says, shoot, I just remembered you asked me
a question yesterday, and I'm going to write you back
(07:19):
while I finish up on the toilet. Phone calls are efficient,
oh sure, Texters will say a text is quick, to
which I say, what are you rushing for? More scrolling
to get to? But also texts can be slow. How
(07:39):
many times have you sent a question then had to
wait for a reply, like say you're planning a picnic.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Hey, Chad, where should we meet? Come on right back?
Speaker 1 (07:56):
You could be waiting minutes or hours. You have no idea. Finally,
it's been three hours.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Okay, Chad says.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Meet at Mini haha Falls?
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Sure, but what time? Come on? Just answer me.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
Meanwhile, the whole thing could have been settled in fifteen
seconds with a call.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Hey, Chad, where should we picnic?
Speaker 3 (08:21):
How about minni haha falls?
Speaker 4 (08:22):
When sis spring cheese and crackers?
Speaker 6 (08:25):
Nah?
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Fruit pizza?
Speaker 5 (08:27):
Okay?
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Sea later.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
That sufficient phone calls avoid confusion. You can hear someone's tone,
whether it's playful, angry, grumpy, or snarky. Texts are so
easy to get wrong.
Speaker 7 (08:45):
Is Chad being sarcastic or a jerk?
Speaker 5 (08:49):
Oh?
Speaker 7 (08:49):
He sent an emoji to clarify cool guy with shades?
What does that even mean?
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Plus what emoticon can replace the sound of human laughter
or that special silence that you know is a smile
on the other end of the line. You can feel
real feelings through a call. I've seen someone stand right
now to me and texts someone rfol and let me
tell you they were not rolling on the floor laughing.
(09:17):
I'm not going to say texting is dishonest, but it
does make it easy to lie. There's a famous story
about the first phone call in eighteen seventy six, Alexander
Graham Bell was inventing the phone. So far, he'd only
managed to send snippets of speech, but then he spilled
some acid on his hand in the lab.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
Mister Watson, come here, I want you.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
He used the phone without realizing it to call his assistant,
and it worked.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
Mister Bell, I heard every word you said distinctly.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Is there even a story of the first text message
that's rhetorical? I don't care, because it's definitely not as
good phone calls are memory, like a cousin telling you
about a new baby joining the family, or a friend
comforting you after a breakup. And no wonder. Humans have
been talking and listening to each other's voices for over
(10:21):
one hundred thousand years, way longer than writing. We evolved
to talk and listen, I'd argue, it's one of the
greatest pleasures of being a human. So the call is coming,
the call to enjoy a conversation, not just get to
it next time you're on the toilet. The call to
revel in human voices, the call to say I love you,
(10:45):
not with words but with actions, The call to make
a call. Are you going to answer it?
Speaker 7 (11:00):
Well? Said, well, how to do that? Was a heartwarming
declaration of greatness there, Ella, what's it out to you
about Jonathan's are huments.
Speaker 6 (11:10):
That actions do speak louder than words.
Speaker 7 (11:13):
Very nice? Okay, Khalila, you have thirty seconds to send
Jonathan straight to voicemail, and your thirty seconds starts right now.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Okay, man, I don't know if thirty seconds is going
to be enough. First of all, I think that being
loved is about, you know, showing the other person that
you understand what they want. And sometimes that's not always
a phone call. So a lot of people don't like
being called the time thing. I just think that it's
not true that calls are faster. So many times I've
(11:44):
been in a situation where I'm calling, leaving a message,
they don't answer, they call me back, I'm in the
middle of something I can't answer it, they leave a message,
and you know what we always do, We always switch
to texting and time.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
I found that surprisingly hurtful. I thought this was just
going to, you know, be about the topics. But that
feels somehow, ad Homine, I don't know why.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
I'm sorry I hurt your feelings.
Speaker 1 (12:09):
You're welcome. How did you say it with your mouth? Oh?
Speaker 7 (12:17):
My goodness. All right, we have a lot more to
hear coming up. We're gonna hear from Khalila and team texting.
But first break.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
Ol smash.
Speaker 7 (12:36):
Smash. Okay, we were all ears for phone calls. Khalila,
take it away for texting.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
Imagine you call your childhood friend Dot a random Tuesday Hello,
Hey Pal, I'm.
Speaker 7 (12:52):
In the middle of like ten things right now, and
I'm holding a jumbo tray of sandwich fixens.
Speaker 6 (12:56):
Is everything okay?
Speaker 2 (12:57):
Remember that time when we built a sand castle?
Speaker 1 (13:00):
What?
Speaker 2 (13:01):
No, the sprouts are slipping?
Speaker 1 (13:03):
Are you okay?
Speaker 2 (13:04):
Remember when we went to Claire's and we got our
ears pierced?
Speaker 6 (13:07):
My ears closed up years ago?
Speaker 4 (13:09):
Did you need something?
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Remember how I used to laugh?
Speaker 8 (13:12):
I'm sorry?
Speaker 2 (13:13):
What is the purpose of this call? I was just
thinking about you.
Speaker 5 (13:17):
I have to go. Wow.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
I don't know if she'll ever talk to me again.
But that's the risk I took, calling someone out of
the blue, violating the piece of her day. Let's try
again with a text, Hey Paal, thinking of you? She
wrote back, Ah, it says miss you too. Now we're
(13:42):
both smiling and no days we're ruined. I'm a reporter
making phone calls is part of my job. Cold calls,
as in a call where the person isn't expecting you,
are not fun. Said person answers the phone already feeling annoyed,
and you have to explain who you are and why
you're calling as quickly as possible before they hang up.
(14:04):
A few times have you even been yelled at on
the phone. It's my least favorite part of the job,
and I usually cry.
Speaker 5 (14:12):
But the telephone is an incredible invention.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
Sure so is the horse drawn carriage. But we have
cars now. We change with the times.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
Ugh not me.
Speaker 5 (14:22):
I still love my horse and carriage and my phone calls.
Speaker 2 (14:29):
Well, great for you, mister retro chic, but for the
rest of us, a phone call causes panic. Maybe twenty
years ago, a ringing phone meant something like Marjorie down
the street is inviting you over for homemade cast role.
How charming, the essays though, A call is either spam
your college that cost you two hundred thousand dollars, asking
(14:49):
if you'd like to give them more money, or someone
delivering bad news.
Speaker 5 (14:54):
Sometimes it's also a butt dial. Those are fun, right
are they?
Speaker 2 (14:58):
Five minutes of wrestling? Okay? Plus, have you ever tried
to get off the phone with someone and they keep
dragging it out. It's a whole song and dance of
going okay in a way that's supposed to sound final,
while the other person completely ignores the hint and launches
into a detailed anecdote about new serials on offer at
their grocery store. Text, on the other hand, and whenever
(15:19):
you want them to you just stop responding beautiful, and
you don't have to play phone tech trying to get
an answer. Just send your question and the other person
responds when they can ideal. There's also the matter of
being in public. Someone calls to chat and any random
stranger can listen in on my conversation. I would like
(15:41):
to be able to tell my mom about how I
cried over accidentally ordering the wrong breakfast burrito without broadcasting
it to the world. It is simply not the world's business.
And speaking of being in public, we've all been trapped
near someone on a loud phone call. It's a nightmare.
Texting is silent. It is the considerate choice. And here's
(16:02):
something phone calls can never give you a written record.
I can search my texts, find that address someone sent
me three months ago, and double check what time we
said we'd meet, a phone call just evaporates in the
thin air. And finally, texting isn't just words, it's photos, links, voice, memos, emojis,
a whole multimedia experience. Texting is even changing language itself.
(16:28):
Now we're all using new abbreviations and fun emojis to
express ourselves. It's like each one of us is a
modern day Shakespeare, inventing new ways to say things. So,
in conclusion, texting is convenient, considerate, less panicky, and frankly
more creative. Oh it's my childhood friend again, she says. Thanks,
(16:49):
that text brightened by day, and she sent me a
picture of some sandwiches she made. Let me text back
a drool emoji and a heart one too.
Speaker 8 (17:02):
Very nicely done. I'm sending you gifts of lots of
people giving high fives.
Speaker 7 (17:07):
Way to go. What's it out to you about Kleela's
decoration of greatness?
Speaker 6 (17:12):
That, like, she was saying, how calls have to be
at a good time, and how like your texts are
private and like kept you can keep them to yourself.
Speaker 7 (17:23):
Okay, Jonathan, it's time for your rebuttal. You've got thirty
seconds to leave Khalila on red and your time starts.
Speaker 5 (17:29):
Now.
Speaker 1 (17:30):
Okay, you mentioned Shakespeare. I'm trying to remember which play
or Sonnet the smiley face was in. You say the
thing about how phone calls evaporate into air. But frankly, like,
I mean, all the best things in life, do you know,
like laughter and tears and our own human experiences themselves.
(17:54):
So I don't think you know that discounts them. I
think we're I think a lot of what you're saying
I feel very parental if it speaks to our isolation.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
I'm anya sure if you want to talk about the
nature immortality, and but I just like to sort of
be able to look back at a nice text later,
you know.
Speaker 1 (18:14):
I mean, I don't know, we're just jumping too too
far ahead. I mean, like, why why do anything? You know,
like why sail a paper boat on a on a pond?
Speaker 2 (18:22):
Why would you do that?
Speaker 1 (18:24):
See, that's the problem right there, in two different languages.
I come from a generation where you know, you beat
a hoop down the street with a stick, you know,
and you've your generation has got AI solving all of that.
Speaker 2 (18:40):
So I don't know about AI, but I don't think
it's a bad thing that we've you know, evolved beyond hoops.
We have other things to play with now than hoops
on streets.
Speaker 7 (18:52):
Okite, Okay, Ella, it is time to award some points.
Please give one point to the declaration of greatness that
you liked best and one point to the rebuttal that
won you over. You get to decide what makes a
winning an argument. Did one team argue more passionately? Didn't
team have better logic? And wards your points, but don't
tell us who they're going to have you major your decision.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
Yes, excellent Cleveland, Jonathan, how are you too feeling so
far feeling confident? I guess it's a weird I'm usually
so conflict avoidant that it's a weird mode for me.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
To be in, and I feel like ready to throw
in the towel. I'm like, maybe she's right, Maybe phones
are for phonies.
Speaker 7 (19:40):
All right, well, it's time for a quick break. Check
your messages and charge your phone, and.
Speaker 6 (19:45):
We'll be right back with more smash boom. Best you're
listening to State of Debate Home to rage in rhetoric
and awe inspiring argumentation.
Speaker 4 (19:57):
Meow, that's kat for Hello. I'm Taylor Lincoln. Debate Navin
and cat person.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
Woof, woof, that's dog for feed me. And I'm Todd Douglas,
the dog Dude and debate power.
Speaker 4 (20:08):
Have and we're here at our local animal shelter to
cuddle some canines and katy cutis and catch.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
Some logical fallacies with our claws and paws.
Speaker 4 (20:17):
Logical fallacies are uncool debate techniques that help you lose
your debates. And I just snagged a nasty one. Want
to hear it?
Speaker 3 (20:25):
Oh that's dog for of course. Let's listen in and
see what the cat dragged in.
Speaker 7 (20:35):
Oh, look at these little kittens in need of a home.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
Oh what do you think, amos? Should I adopt one? Man?
Speaker 6 (20:43):
Aren't they adorable?
Speaker 2 (20:45):
Listen to their little mouse?
Speaker 3 (20:48):
I don't really like cats.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
Wait what, why?
Speaker 7 (20:52):
And why didn't you put that on your dating profile?
Speaker 2 (20:55):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (20:55):
I just think that they're mean, how so because they.
Speaker 7 (20:59):
Can scratch and bite?
Speaker 2 (21:01):
Dogs can also scratch and bite. Oh, this little fur
ball seems to love the way I'm petting him.
Speaker 3 (21:09):
Because they're just not nice to people. Cats are mean
because they're not nice to people.
Speaker 4 (21:17):
And they're not nice to people because they're mean.
Speaker 3 (21:20):
Our friend just said the same thing twice. That argument
didn't take us anywhere, and that's.
Speaker 4 (21:25):
Because it was a circular argument fallacy. That's what a
debater ends their point with the argument they started with.
It's an argument that goes around in circles like.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
A dog chasing its tail. Our friend Aimous needs to
come up with some fresh ideas about why cats are mean.
Speaker 4 (21:42):
Which is a losing argument anyway.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
I don't know, Taylor. I've had a few gnarly run
ins with my neighbor's cat, Salsolito.
Speaker 4 (21:49):
Watch it, Todd mclaus are coming out to.
Speaker 3 (21:52):
Quote the great Scooby Doo. Yes, we'll see you next
time on See of the Day Smash Boom at best.
Speaker 7 (22:10):
You're listening to Smash boombst. I'm your host, Molly Bloom
and I'm your judge Ella, and we love getting debate
suggestions from our listeners like this one.
Speaker 2 (22:19):
Hi, my name is Wyatt.
Speaker 5 (22:21):
I'm from Hamford, California. My debate suggestions Monoply versus Shanga.
Speaker 6 (22:27):
A game night debate. Why it's not playing with this one.
Speaker 7 (22:30):
We'll hear who why I thinks should win at the
end of the show.
Speaker 6 (22:33):
And now back to this debate, calling versus texting.
Speaker 7 (22:37):
And now it's time for round two, the.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
Micro round.
Speaker 7 (22:43):
It's time for a fact off. Khalila and Jonathan will
each get three chances to make a micro argument backed
by a cool factor idea. Jonathan went first last round,
so Khalila, please start us off.
Speaker 2 (22:54):
Texting saved a life. In two thousand and eight, British
surgeon David Not was volunteering in the Congo and performed
a life saving operation, receiving a step by step surgical
instructions via text message. The operation was a success.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
So wait, I just have a follow up question about
that little fun factoid. So he put down the scalpel
in order to be texting away.
Speaker 2 (23:17):
I don't have information about the logistics of if I
maybe someone was reading them out loud.
Speaker 1 (23:23):
Okay, all right. I do tend to think that if
it was just done on a phone, you can get
rid of the middleman and you wouldn't have to have
someone reading the text to them out loud. But anyway,
did you know that phone calls are good for your
mental health? And I've got some studies to prove it.
One study tested how people felt after calling an old
(23:44):
friend or just typing to them, and get this even
though people were worried that the call would be awkward,
it wasn't and it brought them closer to their friend.
And another study found that regular phone calls make people
feel less lonely.
Speaker 2 (23:57):
That's nice. It's not quite as good as like saving
someone's life. But you know earlier you said there's no
story about the first text message. In fact there is.
The first text message was Merry Christmas, and it was
sent from a computer, not a phone. On December third,
nineteen ninety two, a great year, a twenty two year
old software programmer named Neil Papworth, a fun name, set
(24:20):
the very first text message was sent from a computer
because mobile devices weren't yet capable of sending texts at
the time. The recipient got a very festive surprise on
his phone.
Speaker 1 (24:30):
That sounds really jolly.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
Yeah, it is jolly.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
Wait that they just they looked at their cell phone
and they saw Mary Christmas MM. And there's nothing jolly
about that. There's nothing fust without just reading the words
Mary was like in New Courier fond all caps.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
I don't know that we had that capability at the time.
It was a new technology. I don't know what's a
Christmas card. It's writing, Yeah, I know, but.
Speaker 1 (24:56):
It's colorful and it's got little pictures and Santa clauses
and reindeer.
Speaker 7 (25:01):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
It does occur to me though, that you know, if
there weren't any phones, there would be any phone lines,
and where would birds?
Speaker 7 (25:11):
Said?
Speaker 1 (25:13):
I know that's a non sequitor, but it's just just
that something that you've ever considered. Where they sit in
trees get splinters.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
I think their feet are built for that. I don't
know that they got splinters.
Speaker 8 (25:28):
All right?
Speaker 7 (25:28):
Fair enough?
Speaker 2 (25:30):
Was that your facts were no?
Speaker 7 (25:33):
Okay?
Speaker 1 (25:34):
Maybe that cancer is a fact.
Speaker 7 (25:35):
I guess it is a fact.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
Okay, here's a question for you. What are you doing
on April twenty fifth? Because I am celebrating National Telephone Day.
It started in nineteen sixty seven in honor of the
one hundred million telephone line being installed in the US.
To celebrate, they had governors and dignitaries all get on
a party line together and they got gold phones. I
(25:59):
think we need to bring this back because I want
to get on a party line and get a cold phone.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
Cold phones is pretty cool, but sitting on a conference
call with a Govnor's sounds actually like a nightmare to me.
All right, well, here's my last fact. In two thousand
and three, AT and T helped American I had all
set up a voting system that relied on text messages
rather than voice calls. At the time, text messaging was
still new, and some twenty two percent of respondents to
(26:27):
a later poll so they learned to text specifically in
order to vote on the show. A reality singing competition
accidentally became one of the biggest drivers of texting adoption
in American history.
Speaker 1 (26:39):
Now now you're talking about American Idol, right, mm hmm,
and the what is the That's a competition where people sing, Yes,
where people make use of the greatest instrument of all.
With deference to ella, I'm trying to butter up the
judge here. The flute and the saxophone great, but what
better instrument than the human voice? Sure where I'm going
(27:02):
with this.
Speaker 2 (27:02):
I see where you're going for a professional singer, but
not for any schmoe who's like saying they like a
certain singer better than another. I don't think that that
needs to be spoken, could just as easily be typed.
Speaker 1 (27:14):
I got a little mini fact. I mean, what do
we call those things that we keep in our pockets.
We don't call them iPhones. We call or rather we
do call them my phone. Don't call them eye texting machines. Right,
that's the that is? Are these facts?
Speaker 4 (27:28):
I don't know?
Speaker 1 (27:29):
They are they low blows? Is? I don't know? I mean,
even like when you think about the friendships that you have,
the friends, there's kind of a hierarchy, like there's there's
the friends that you feel like you could pick up
the phone and call, right and those are usually your
closest friends. That's a soft fact.
Speaker 7 (27:47):
And the heart much of a fact, but the fact
of the heart, all right, Ella, what's out to you
from this micro around.
Speaker 6 (27:55):
That they each had like their strengths, like in texting
you might like do it more often or like with everyone,
and then like calling definitely with like specific people to
show you care about them.
Speaker 7 (28:11):
Mm hmmmmmm. All right. Those are a lot of good facts,
a lot of good points. But only one team can
get a point for this round, so I'll please award
a point for this micro round. The decision is completely
subjective and completely up to you. Have you made your decision,
(28:35):
I have perfect keep it secret and we'll be right
back boom boom boom boom boom boom boom boom smash.
We're back and we're jumping right in because it's time for.
Speaker 6 (29:00):
Sneak Attack.
Speaker 7 (29:01):
This is our improvised round where debaters have to respond
to a challenge on the spot. Today's challenge is mystery word.
Each debater will get a list of three secret words
and they're going to try to get our judge Ella
to guess the word as fast as she can. So
let's say one of my words was milk. I might
(29:22):
say comes from a cow, goes on cereal and Ella
would be like, milk, got it? Does that make sense? Yes?
Fab Okay, so you're gonna have thirty seconds to get
Ella to guess. And Ella, so I want to ask,
are you ready for some guessing?
Speaker 8 (29:39):
I am.
Speaker 6 (29:40):
I'm very ready.
Speaker 7 (29:41):
Okay. So Jonathan, you are going to start us off.
You have your words, Okay, get Ella to guess them.
Your time starts now.
Speaker 1 (29:50):
So this is something that you would leave on someone's
phone if you couldn't get a hold of them voicemail
very good. And this is the sound that your phone
makes when someone's phoning you.
Speaker 6 (30:02):
Ding.
Speaker 1 (30:03):
He almost rhymes with ring. Yes, And this is the
person who is doing the talking you. This is okay.
You hit a little button mute on your phone when
you hold it to your face.
Speaker 7 (30:23):
Do you want to make him a guess? I don't
know what was the answer, Jonathan Speaker.
Speaker 1 (30:29):
I didn't do a very good job.
Speaker 7 (30:31):
That makes you did great? Okay, Khalila, it is your turn.
You have your words handy ye? All right? Your thirty
seconds begins now.
Speaker 2 (30:39):
Okay. The little pictures in the text emojis yes, when
you are you've got an email. There's options at the
bottom and the options are like yep and the thing
on the computer that you would use to type keyboard. Yeah,
a great.
Speaker 1 (30:56):
Jobreck, I've never heard this this game show side of you.
Speaker 2 (31:01):
A new part of me comes out.
Speaker 7 (31:05):
Okay, Ella, it is time to award a point. You
can decide who gets the point? Did someone get you
to guess more? Did someone really connect with you? You know,
it's up to you what the criteria are. Have you
awarded your point? Yes? Awesome that it's time for our
(31:27):
final round, the final six. In this round, each team
will have just six words to sum up the glory
of their side. Khalila, you're up first. Tell us why
you heart emoji texting.
Speaker 2 (31:41):
Open your mind, future is now.
Speaker 7 (31:46):
Oh, very nice, all right, Jonathan, Last chance to give it.
Speaker 1 (31:50):
Your all for a call, immediate, intimate, hand and finger free.
That's kind of a hyphenated one word direct, interactive and fun.
Speaker 7 (32:05):
Hmmm, very nice, all right, Ella. It is time to
award your final point for this final six. Have you
made your decision?
Speaker 6 (32:17):
I have?
Speaker 7 (32:19):
Oh my goodness, all right, tally up those points, Ella?
Are you ready to crown one team the smash boom
best I am okay, drum roll please, and the winner
is texting you.
Speaker 1 (32:33):
Next time. If you get instead of a teenage judge,
you get like some seventy year old.
Speaker 7 (32:39):
Man.
Speaker 1 (32:40):
Don't have a fighting chance. Our fingers are just too
pudgy and sticky.
Speaker 7 (32:44):
It's the text.
Speaker 2 (32:45):
Why are your fingers so sticky?
Speaker 1 (32:48):
That's my business. I like fudge.
Speaker 6 (32:55):
Me too, Me too, Ella.
Speaker 7 (32:58):
Was there a moment that really decided things for texting?
Speaker 6 (33:01):
I think it was probably the sneak attack. It was
really really fast. I got it.
Speaker 7 (33:06):
Yeah, Khalila really got that game show mode going.
Speaker 6 (33:09):
We locked in, We lockd in.
Speaker 2 (33:10):
Very impressive, Jonathan. I always like talking to you. You
always make me laugh and I do think you make
some good points about the telephone and the intimacy of
the relationship you can have with someone in voice versus writing, Oh.
Speaker 1 (33:26):
That's really nice, Khalila, you kind of want me over.
I came in here feeling like a little more headstrong
about the phone, but I have to admit you kind
of want me over some and that is a testament
to your your debating skill, your persuasiveness, and your velvety
dulcet tones.
Speaker 5 (33:47):
You get it.
Speaker 1 (33:47):
That's a little dig, that's a trying to get a
little now slammed down top. You don't have to do that,
but sports sportsmanship.
Speaker 2 (33:54):
On the whole, very gratifying. Thank you.
Speaker 7 (33:58):
Well, that is it for today's debate battle, Ella Crown
texting the smash Boom best.
Speaker 6 (34:02):
But what about you Head to smash Boom dot org
and vote to tell us who you think one.
Speaker 7 (34:07):
This episode was produced by Me, Molly Boom, Sanchez and
Santa Tattan. It was sound designed by Rachel Breese and
Mark wrote our theme song. We had engineering help from
Adam Lee. Our announcer is Marley for your worker Auto
and we want to give us special thanks to Austin
Cross and Taylor Kaufman Khalila. Is there anyone you'd like
to give a shout out to today?
Speaker 2 (34:25):
Yes, I'd like to give a shout out to my
mom ann Elise, who's one of the few people in
my life that I enjoy both phoning and texting equally.
She's really great in both modes.
Speaker 7 (34:37):
That's very sweet. And how about you, Jonathan. Any special
shout outs?
Speaker 1 (34:41):
I want to shout out my nine year old son, Hogey,
who first introduced me to Smash Boom Best and got
me listening to it and he is a big fan.
Speaker 7 (34:53):
Molly aw thank you Aggie for introducing your dad and Ella.
Any special things for shout outs?
Speaker 6 (35:00):
Shout out my dad for being here in my absolutely,
shout out whoever you want. Then I shout out my
dad for being here and helping nice.
Speaker 7 (35:10):
And before we go, let's check in and see who
whyatt think should win the debate between Monopoly and Jenga.
Speaker 5 (35:15):
I think Monopoly would win because it's longer than in
that age.
Speaker 7 (35:20):
If you're between the ages of thirteen and eighteen and
you'd like to be a judge, or if you're any
age and you have an idea for a knockdown, drag
out debate. Head to smash boom dot org slash contact
and drop us a line. We'll be back next week
with a new Smash Boom Best episode, Dandelions versus Orchids.
Speaker 6 (35:35):
Bye, Smell La, Farewell, Liberty, Giblets, slash.
Speaker 7 (35:52):
Slash.
Speaker 1 (36:00):
It's slash book Best, It's slash Boom Best.
Speaker 2 (36:06):
I also hate that you said, how do you do?
Speaker 1 (36:09):
Profinitely that's why I did.
Speaker 7 (36:10):
That was special for you anyway.
Speaker 2 (36:12):
And we haven't even started debating yet.
Speaker 7 (36:16):
Yah,
Pushkin. Welcome to the studio, Khalila Holt, producer.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
You know, I'm not.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Saying that you should, but it would sometimes be nice
to be welcomed into the studio myself.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Well, you've always just jumped right in, and I know
you are welcoming me, you don't really give me the opportunity.
Welcome to the studio, Jonathan.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Oh gee, I was taken unawares by that we're here
in the studio because we have something a little different,
a special treat Yeah, it's something that was new for
both of us, Khalila and I. We were guests on
a children's debate podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
The show is called Smash Boom Best and it's a
favorite of your son, Augius. If I'm not.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Mistaken, Yes, very much so, which is how it kind
of got onto my radar. I started enjoying listening to
it with him and the host, Molly Bloom is kind
of a celeb in our household, so I was a
little starstruck.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
You know, I'm always wary of children's programming because I
hate the kind of like over the top smiley baby voice,
like to syrap. Yeah, but I started listening to the
show in advance of doing this, and I feel like
I really enjoyed the show. They're talking to kids at
like a level that respects their intelligence.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
I would say, yeah, and since we respect you, our
listener's intelligence is it's why we chose to share this
episode Yeah with you all.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
We'll be debating phone calls versus texting.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
I don't want to spoil anything. We went pretty toe
to toe. It got pretty heated during certain moments, but
you know we're here to talk about it. We're still
speaking to one another. So the point is it's always
better to use your words rather than a knuckle sandwich
to the throat of your adversary.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Sure, thank you for not giving me a knuckle sandwich
to the throat.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
I deliver my knuckle sandwiches with words, songs. Bo We
had a lot of fun doing it, and we hope
you'll enjoy listening to it. And that's all coming up
after these.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Fun words from our sponsors.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
Brains On Universe.
Speaker 5 (02:43):
From the brains behind brains On, It's smash Boom Best.
Speaker 6 (02:48):
The show for people with big opinions.
Speaker 7 (02:52):
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,
we've got two ways of reaching out. One starts with
a ring, the other a ding. It's calling versus tech.
Whether you like to type or talk, We're sure you'll
have a lot to say about this one, defending the
(03:15):
tradition of talking on the phone. It's a host of
the Heavyweight podcast, Jonathan Goldstein.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
How do you do?
Speaker 7 (03:21):
And here to hit send for the art of the text,
It's Khalila Holt, producer of the Heavyweight podcast.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Hello, or should I say a handwave emoji?
Speaker 7 (03:32):
And here to judge this clash of the communication styles
is none other than Ella from Oregon City. Ella is
on the swim team, plays flute and saxophone, loves to
make art, and has lots of bracelets on both of
her arms. Welcome Ella, Hi, okay Ella. Since it's a podcast,
we cannot see your amazing bracelets, So can you give
us a sense of the scope of your bracelets?
Speaker 6 (03:55):
I have probably like twenty five on right now.
Speaker 7 (03:58):
Wow, have you made all of them?
Speaker 6 (04:00):
I've probably made half of them?
Speaker 7 (04:02):
Incredible? What are we talking about? Like like string beads,
all of the above.
Speaker 6 (04:06):
All of the above.
Speaker 7 (04:07):
Wow, do you have a favorite?
Speaker 6 (04:09):
I recently made one with soda tabs and it's really
cool and it's stringy.
Speaker 7 (04:14):
That's very impressive. Just soda tabs.
Speaker 6 (04:17):
Yes, well, an string.
Speaker 7 (04:18):
What is the oldest bracelet that you have on?
Speaker 6 (04:21):
I have one that I got in sixth grade and
it says Kindest Ambassador on it and I have worn
it for three years.
Speaker 7 (04:29):
It's amazing. So the ones on your arms right now,
are they like an every day? You wear each one
every day? Or do you change it up?
Speaker 6 (04:35):
Sometimes I change it up, but most of them might
keep it on like all the time.
Speaker 7 (04:38):
Very cool. Okay, So you also make other kinds of
art besides bracelets. What other kind of media do you
use to make art?
Speaker 6 (04:46):
I love like drawing and painting and stuff, but I
also like music.
Speaker 7 (04:51):
Oh yes, you play saxophone and flute. So I'm wondering
when you're playing flute versus when you're playing saxophone, is
there like a vibe shift that you feel or is
it kind of the same.
Speaker 6 (05:03):
It's definitely different vibes because I play more like jazz
music on the saxophone, and then and I do more
like popular songs or like concert music on the flute.
Speaker 7 (05:14):
So when you're playing the saxophone, if you said hello
in your like saxophone playing voice, like, what would that
sound like? Oh?
Speaker 6 (05:21):
I don't know, I'd probably be like hello nice.
Speaker 7 (05:25):
And how about your flute playing voice? What would that
hello sound like?
Speaker 1 (05:28):
Hello?
Speaker 7 (05:31):
Excellent? Excellent? Well will Ella side with texting or phone calls?
Let's see first the rules of the game. Every debate
consists of four rounds, the declaration of greatness, the micro round,
the sneak attack, and the final six. After each round,
our judge Ella will award points to the team that
impresses her the most, but she'll keep her decisions top
(05:52):
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
smash boom dot org and vote for whichever team you
think one. Okay, Khalila, Ella, and Jonathan are you ready?
Speaker 6 (06:09):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (06:09):
I'm ready.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
I hope so.
Speaker 6 (06:11):
I'm ready too.
Speaker 7 (06:14):
Then it's time for the.
Speaker 5 (06:16):
Declaration of greatness.
Speaker 7 (06:19):
In this round, our debaters will present a well crafted,
immersive argument in favor of their side. Then they'll each
have thirty seconds to rebut their opponent's statements. We flipped
a coin and Jonathan, you're up first. Tell us why
we should answer the call of talking on the phone.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
What's the sound of being loved? A heartbeat? No, that's
just body plumbing? Is it someone saying I love you?
I'd argue actions speak louder than words, which is why
to me, the sound of being loved is a phone call.
(06:58):
It says, Hey, I like hearing your voice. I like
the way you laugh, your awkward pauses. It says I
want to spend my precious minutes in real time with you,
even if I can't be there in real life. A
text just says, shoot, I just remembered you asked me
a question yesterday, and I'm going to write you back
(07:19):
while I finish up on the toilet. Phone calls are efficient,
oh sure, Texters will say a text is quick, to
which I say, what are you rushing for? More scrolling
to get to? But also texts can be slow. How
(07:39):
many times have you sent a question then had to
wait for a reply, like say you're planning a picnic.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Hey, Chad, where should we meet? Come on right back?
Speaker 1 (07:56):
You could be waiting minutes or hours. You have no idea. Finally,
it's been three hours.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Okay, Chad says.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Meet at Mini haha Falls?
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Sure, but what time? Come on? Just answer me.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
Meanwhile, the whole thing could have been settled in fifteen
seconds with a call.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Hey, Chad, where should we picnic?
Speaker 3 (08:21):
How about minni haha falls?
Speaker 4 (08:22):
When sis spring cheese and crackers?
Speaker 6 (08:25):
Nah?
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Fruit pizza?
Speaker 5 (08:27):
Okay?
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Sea later.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
That sufficient phone calls avoid confusion. You can hear someone's tone,
whether it's playful, angry, grumpy, or snarky. Texts are so
easy to get wrong.
Speaker 7 (08:45):
Is Chad being sarcastic or a jerk?
Speaker 5 (08:49):
Oh?
Speaker 7 (08:49):
He sent an emoji to clarify cool guy with shades?
What does that even mean?
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Plus what emoticon can replace the sound of human laughter
or that special silence that you know is a smile
on the other end of the line. You can feel
real feelings through a call. I've seen someone stand right
now to me and texts someone rfol and let me
tell you they were not rolling on the floor laughing.
(09:17):
I'm not going to say texting is dishonest, but it
does make it easy to lie. There's a famous story
about the first phone call in eighteen seventy six, Alexander
Graham Bell was inventing the phone. So far, he'd only
managed to send snippets of speech, but then he spilled
some acid on his hand in the lab.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
Mister Watson, come here, I want you.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
He used the phone without realizing it to call his assistant,
and it worked.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
Mister Bell, I heard every word you said distinctly.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Is there even a story of the first text message
that's rhetorical? I don't care, because it's definitely not as
good phone calls are memory, like a cousin telling you
about a new baby joining the family, or a friend
comforting you after a breakup. And no wonder. Humans have
been talking and listening to each other's voices for over
(10:21):
one hundred thousand years, way longer than writing. We evolved
to talk and listen, I'd argue, it's one of the
greatest pleasures of being a human. So the call is coming,
the call to enjoy a conversation, not just get to
it next time you're on the toilet. The call to
revel in human voices, the call to say I love you,
(10:45):
not with words but with actions, The call to make
a call. Are you going to answer it?
Speaker 7 (11:00):
Well? Said, well, how to do that? Was a heartwarming
declaration of greatness there, Ella, what's it out to you
about Jonathan's are huments.
Speaker 6 (11:10):
That actions do speak louder than words.
Speaker 7 (11:13):
Very nice? Okay, Khalila, you have thirty seconds to send
Jonathan straight to voicemail, and your thirty seconds starts right now.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Okay, man, I don't know if thirty seconds is going
to be enough. First of all, I think that being
loved is about, you know, showing the other person that
you understand what they want. And sometimes that's not always
a phone call. So a lot of people don't like
being called the time thing. I just think that it's
not true that calls are faster. So many times I've
(11:44):
been in a situation where I'm calling, leaving a message,
they don't answer, they call me back, I'm in the
middle of something I can't answer it, they leave a message,
and you know what we always do, We always switch
to texting and time.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
I found that surprisingly hurtful. I thought this was just
going to, you know, be about the topics. But that
feels somehow, ad Homine, I don't know why.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
I'm sorry I hurt your feelings.
Speaker 1 (12:09):
You're welcome. How did you say it with your mouth? Oh?
Speaker 7 (12:17):
My goodness. All right, we have a lot more to
hear coming up. We're gonna hear from Khalila and team texting.
But first break.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
Ol smash.
Speaker 7 (12:36):
Smash. Okay, we were all ears for phone calls. Khalila,
take it away for texting.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
Imagine you call your childhood friend Dot a random Tuesday Hello,
Hey Pal, I'm.
Speaker 7 (12:52):
In the middle of like ten things right now, and
I'm holding a jumbo tray of sandwich fixens.
Speaker 6 (12:56):
Is everything okay?
Speaker 2 (12:57):
Remember that time when we built a sand castle?
Speaker 1 (13:00):
What?
Speaker 2 (13:01):
No, the sprouts are slipping?
Speaker 1 (13:03):
Are you okay?
Speaker 2 (13:04):
Remember when we went to Claire's and we got our
ears pierced?
Speaker 6 (13:07):
My ears closed up years ago?
Speaker 4 (13:09):
Did you need something?
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Remember how I used to laugh?
Speaker 8 (13:12):
I'm sorry?
Speaker 2 (13:13):
What is the purpose of this call? I was just
thinking about you.
Speaker 5 (13:17):
I have to go. Wow.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
I don't know if she'll ever talk to me again.
But that's the risk I took, calling someone out of
the blue, violating the piece of her day. Let's try
again with a text, Hey Paal, thinking of you? She
wrote back, Ah, it says miss you too. Now we're
(13:42):
both smiling and no days we're ruined. I'm a reporter
making phone calls is part of my job. Cold calls,
as in a call where the person isn't expecting you,
are not fun. Said person answers the phone already feeling annoyed,
and you have to explain who you are and why
you're calling as quickly as possible before they hang up.
(14:04):
A few times have you even been yelled at on
the phone. It's my least favorite part of the job,
and I usually cry.
Speaker 5 (14:12):
But the telephone is an incredible invention.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
Sure so is the horse drawn carriage. But we have
cars now. We change with the times.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
Ugh not me.
Speaker 5 (14:22):
I still love my horse and carriage and my phone calls.
Speaker 2 (14:29):
Well, great for you, mister retro chic, but for the
rest of us, a phone call causes panic. Maybe twenty
years ago, a ringing phone meant something like Marjorie down
the street is inviting you over for homemade cast role.
How charming, the essays though, A call is either spam
your college that cost you two hundred thousand dollars, asking
(14:49):
if you'd like to give them more money, or someone
delivering bad news.
Speaker 5 (14:54):
Sometimes it's also a butt dial. Those are fun, right
are they?
Speaker 2 (14:58):
Five minutes of wrestling? Okay? Plus, have you ever tried
to get off the phone with someone and they keep
dragging it out. It's a whole song and dance of
going okay in a way that's supposed to sound final,
while the other person completely ignores the hint and launches
into a detailed anecdote about new serials on offer at
their grocery store. Text, on the other hand, and whenever
(15:19):
you want them to you just stop responding beautiful, and
you don't have to play phone tech trying to get
an answer. Just send your question and the other person
responds when they can ideal. There's also the matter of
being in public. Someone calls to chat and any random
stranger can listen in on my conversation. I would like
(15:41):
to be able to tell my mom about how I
cried over accidentally ordering the wrong breakfast burrito without broadcasting
it to the world. It is simply not the world's business.
And speaking of being in public, we've all been trapped
near someone on a loud phone call. It's a nightmare.
Texting is silent. It is the considerate choice. And here's
(16:02):
something phone calls can never give you a written record.
I can search my texts, find that address someone sent
me three months ago, and double check what time we
said we'd meet, a phone call just evaporates in the
thin air. And finally, texting isn't just words, it's photos, links, voice, memos, emojis,
a whole multimedia experience. Texting is even changing language itself.
(16:28):
Now we're all using new abbreviations and fun emojis to
express ourselves. It's like each one of us is a
modern day Shakespeare, inventing new ways to say things. So,
in conclusion, texting is convenient, considerate, less panicky, and frankly
more creative. Oh it's my childhood friend again, she says. Thanks,
(16:49):
that text brightened by day, and she sent me a
picture of some sandwiches she made. Let me text back
a drool emoji and a heart one too.
Speaker 8 (17:02):
Very nicely done. I'm sending you gifts of lots of
people giving high fives.
Speaker 7 (17:07):
Way to go. What's it out to you about Kleela's
decoration of greatness?
Speaker 6 (17:12):
That, like, she was saying, how calls have to be
at a good time, and how like your texts are
private and like kept you can keep them to yourself.
Speaker 7 (17:23):
Okay, Jonathan, it's time for your rebuttal. You've got thirty
seconds to leave Khalila on red and your time starts.
Speaker 5 (17:29):
Now.
Speaker 1 (17:30):
Okay, you mentioned Shakespeare. I'm trying to remember which play
or Sonnet the smiley face was in. You say the
thing about how phone calls evaporate into air. But frankly, like,
I mean, all the best things in life, do you know,
like laughter and tears and our own human experiences themselves.
(17:54):
So I don't think you know that discounts them. I
think we're I think a lot of what you're saying
I feel very parental if it speaks to our isolation.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
I'm anya sure if you want to talk about the
nature immortality, and but I just like to sort of
be able to look back at a nice text later,
you know.
Speaker 1 (18:14):
I mean, I don't know, we're just jumping too too
far ahead. I mean, like, why why do anything? You know,
like why sail a paper boat on a on a pond?
Speaker 2 (18:22):
Why would you do that?
Speaker 1 (18:24):
See, that's the problem right there, in two different languages.
I come from a generation where you know, you beat
a hoop down the street with a stick, you know,
and you've your generation has got AI solving all of that.
Speaker 2 (18:40):
So I don't know about AI, but I don't think
it's a bad thing that we've you know, evolved beyond hoops.
We have other things to play with now than hoops
on streets.
Speaker 7 (18:52):
Okite, Okay, Ella, it is time to award some points.
Please give one point to the declaration of greatness that
you liked best and one point to the rebuttal that
won you over. You get to decide what makes a
winning an argument. Did one team argue more passionately? Didn't
team have better logic? And wards your points, but don't
tell us who they're going to have you major your decision.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
Yes, excellent Cleveland, Jonathan, how are you too feeling so
far feeling confident? I guess it's a weird I'm usually
so conflict avoidant that it's a weird mode for me.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
To be in, and I feel like ready to throw
in the towel. I'm like, maybe she's right, Maybe phones
are for phonies.
Speaker 7 (19:40):
All right, well, it's time for a quick break. Check
your messages and charge your phone, and.
Speaker 6 (19:45):
We'll be right back with more smash boom. Best you're
listening to State of Debate Home to rage in rhetoric
and awe inspiring argumentation.
Speaker 4 (19:57):
Meow, that's kat for Hello. I'm Taylor Lincoln. Debate Navin
and cat person.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
Woof, woof, that's dog for feed me. And I'm Todd Douglas,
the dog Dude and debate power.
Speaker 4 (20:08):
Have and we're here at our local animal shelter to
cuddle some canines and katy cutis and catch.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
Some logical fallacies with our claws and paws.
Speaker 4 (20:17):
Logical fallacies are uncool debate techniques that help you lose
your debates. And I just snagged a nasty one. Want
to hear it?
Speaker 3 (20:25):
Oh that's dog for of course. Let's listen in and
see what the cat dragged in.
Speaker 7 (20:35):
Oh, look at these little kittens in need of a home.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
Oh what do you think, amos? Should I adopt one? Man?
Speaker 6 (20:43):
Aren't they adorable?
Speaker 2 (20:45):
Listen to their little mouse?
Speaker 3 (20:48):
I don't really like cats.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
Wait what, why?
Speaker 7 (20:52):
And why didn't you put that on your dating profile?
Speaker 2 (20:55):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (20:55):
I just think that they're mean, how so because they.
Speaker 7 (20:59):
Can scratch and bite?
Speaker 2 (21:01):
Dogs can also scratch and bite. Oh, this little fur
ball seems to love the way I'm petting him.
Speaker 3 (21:09):
Because they're just not nice to people. Cats are mean
because they're not nice to people.
Speaker 4 (21:17):
And they're not nice to people because they're mean.
Speaker 3 (21:20):
Our friend just said the same thing twice. That argument
didn't take us anywhere, and that's.
Speaker 4 (21:25):
Because it was a circular argument fallacy. That's what a
debater ends their point with the argument they started with.
It's an argument that goes around in circles like.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
A dog chasing its tail. Our friend Aimous needs to
come up with some fresh ideas about why cats are mean.
Speaker 4 (21:42):
Which is a losing argument anyway.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
I don't know, Taylor. I've had a few gnarly run
ins with my neighbor's cat, Salsolito.
Speaker 4 (21:49):
Watch it, Todd mclaus are coming out to.
Speaker 3 (21:52):
Quote the great Scooby Doo. Yes, we'll see you next
time on See of the Day Smash Boom at best.
Speaker 7 (22:10):
You're listening to Smash boombst. I'm your host, Molly Bloom
and I'm your judge Ella, and we love getting debate
suggestions from our listeners like this one.
Speaker 2 (22:19):
Hi, my name is Wyatt.
Speaker 5 (22:21):
I'm from Hamford, California. My debate suggestions Monoply versus Shanga.
Speaker 6 (22:27):
A game night debate. Why it's not playing with this one.
Speaker 7 (22:30):
We'll hear who why I thinks should win at the
end of the show.
Speaker 6 (22:33):
And now back to this debate, calling versus texting.
Speaker 7 (22:37):
And now it's time for round two, the.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
Micro round.
Speaker 7 (22:43):
It's time for a fact off. Khalila and Jonathan will
each get three chances to make a micro argument backed
by a cool factor idea. Jonathan went first last round,
so Khalila, please start us off.
Speaker 2 (22:54):
Texting saved a life. In two thousand and eight, British
surgeon David Not was volunteering in the Congo and performed
a life saving operation, receiving a step by step surgical
instructions via text message. The operation was a success.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
So wait, I just have a follow up question about
that little fun factoid. So he put down the scalpel
in order to be texting away.
Speaker 2 (23:17):
I don't have information about the logistics of if I
maybe someone was reading them out loud.
Speaker 1 (23:23):
Okay, all right. I do tend to think that if
it was just done on a phone, you can get
rid of the middleman and you wouldn't have to have
someone reading the text to them out loud. But anyway,
did you know that phone calls are good for your
mental health? And I've got some studies to prove it.
One study tested how people felt after calling an old
(23:44):
friend or just typing to them, and get this even
though people were worried that the call would be awkward,
it wasn't and it brought them closer to their friend.
And another study found that regular phone calls make people
feel less lonely.
Speaker 2 (23:57):
That's nice. It's not quite as good as like saving
someone's life. But you know earlier you said there's no
story about the first text message. In fact there is.
The first text message was Merry Christmas, and it was
sent from a computer, not a phone. On December third,
nineteen ninety two, a great year, a twenty two year
old software programmer named Neil Papworth, a fun name, set
(24:20):
the very first text message was sent from a computer
because mobile devices weren't yet capable of sending texts at
the time. The recipient got a very festive surprise on
his phone.
Speaker 1 (24:30):
That sounds really jolly.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
Yeah, it is jolly.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
Wait that they just they looked at their cell phone
and they saw Mary Christmas MM. And there's nothing jolly
about that. There's nothing fust without just reading the words
Mary was like in New Courier fond all caps.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
I don't know that we had that capability at the time.
It was a new technology. I don't know what's a
Christmas card. It's writing, Yeah, I know, but.
Speaker 1 (24:56):
It's colorful and it's got little pictures and Santa clauses
and reindeer.
Speaker 7 (25:01):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
It does occur to me though, that you know, if
there weren't any phones, there would be any phone lines,
and where would birds?
Speaker 7 (25:11):
Said?
Speaker 1 (25:13):
I know that's a non sequitor, but it's just just
that something that you've ever considered. Where they sit in
trees get splinters.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
I think their feet are built for that. I don't
know that they got splinters.
Speaker 8 (25:28):
All right?
Speaker 7 (25:28):
Fair enough?
Speaker 2 (25:30):
Was that your facts were no?
Speaker 7 (25:33):
Okay?
Speaker 1 (25:34):
Maybe that cancer is a fact.
Speaker 7 (25:35):
I guess it is a fact.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
Okay, here's a question for you. What are you doing
on April twenty fifth? Because I am celebrating National Telephone Day.
It started in nineteen sixty seven in honor of the
one hundred million telephone line being installed in the US.
To celebrate, they had governors and dignitaries all get on
a party line together and they got gold phones. I
(25:59):
think we need to bring this back because I want
to get on a party line and get a cold phone.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
Cold phones is pretty cool, but sitting on a conference
call with a Govnor's sounds actually like a nightmare to me.
All right, well, here's my last fact. In two thousand
and three, AT and T helped American I had all
set up a voting system that relied on text messages
rather than voice calls. At the time, text messaging was
still new, and some twenty two percent of respondents to
(26:27):
a later poll so they learned to text specifically in
order to vote on the show. A reality singing competition
accidentally became one of the biggest drivers of texting adoption
in American history.
Speaker 1 (26:39):
Now now you're talking about American Idol, right, mm hmm,
and the what is the That's a competition where people sing, Yes,
where people make use of the greatest instrument of all.
With deference to ella, I'm trying to butter up the
judge here. The flute and the saxophone great, but what
better instrument than the human voice? Sure where I'm going
(27:02):
with this.
Speaker 2 (27:02):
I see where you're going for a professional singer, but
not for any schmoe who's like saying they like a
certain singer better than another. I don't think that that
needs to be spoken, could just as easily be typed.
Speaker 1 (27:14):
I got a little mini fact. I mean, what do
we call those things that we keep in our pockets.
We don't call them iPhones. We call or rather we
do call them my phone. Don't call them eye texting machines. Right,
that's the that is? Are these facts?
Speaker 4 (27:28):
I don't know?
Speaker 1 (27:29):
They are they low blows? Is? I don't know? I mean,
even like when you think about the friendships that you have,
the friends, there's kind of a hierarchy, like there's there's
the friends that you feel like you could pick up
the phone and call, right and those are usually your
closest friends. That's a soft fact.
Speaker 7 (27:47):
And the heart much of a fact, but the fact
of the heart, all right, Ella, what's out to you
from this micro around.
Speaker 6 (27:55):
That they each had like their strengths, like in texting
you might like do it more often or like with everyone,
and then like calling definitely with like specific people to
show you care about them.
Speaker 7 (28:11):
Mm hmmmmmm. All right. Those are a lot of good facts,
a lot of good points. But only one team can
get a point for this round, so I'll please award
a point for this micro round. The decision is completely
subjective and completely up to you. Have you made your decision,
(28:35):
I have perfect keep it secret and we'll be right
back boom boom boom boom boom boom boom boom smash.
We're back and we're jumping right in because it's time for.
Speaker 6 (29:00):
Sneak Attack.
Speaker 7 (29:01):
This is our improvised round where debaters have to respond
to a challenge on the spot. Today's challenge is mystery word.
Each debater will get a list of three secret words
and they're going to try to get our judge Ella
to guess the word as fast as she can. So
let's say one of my words was milk. I might
(29:22):
say comes from a cow, goes on cereal and Ella
would be like, milk, got it? Does that make sense? Yes?
Fab Okay, so you're gonna have thirty seconds to get
Ella to guess. And Ella, so I want to ask,
are you ready for some guessing?
Speaker 8 (29:39):
I am.
Speaker 6 (29:40):
I'm very ready.
Speaker 7 (29:41):
Okay. So Jonathan, you are going to start us off.
You have your words, Okay, get Ella to guess them.
Your time starts now.
Speaker 1 (29:50):
So this is something that you would leave on someone's
phone if you couldn't get a hold of them voicemail
very good. And this is the sound that your phone
makes when someone's phoning you.
Speaker 6 (30:02):
Ding.
Speaker 1 (30:03):
He almost rhymes with ring. Yes, And this is the
person who is doing the talking you. This is okay.
You hit a little button mute on your phone when
you hold it to your face.
Speaker 7 (30:23):
Do you want to make him a guess? I don't
know what was the answer, Jonathan Speaker.
Speaker 1 (30:29):
I didn't do a very good job.
Speaker 7 (30:31):
That makes you did great? Okay, Khalila, it is your turn.
You have your words handy ye? All right? Your thirty
seconds begins now.
Speaker 2 (30:39):
Okay. The little pictures in the text emojis yes, when
you are you've got an email. There's options at the
bottom and the options are like yep and the thing
on the computer that you would use to type keyboard. Yeah,
a great.
Speaker 1 (30:56):
Jobreck, I've never heard this this game show side of you.
Speaker 2 (31:01):
A new part of me comes out.
Speaker 7 (31:05):
Okay, Ella, it is time to award a point. You
can decide who gets the point? Did someone get you
to guess more? Did someone really connect with you? You know,
it's up to you what the criteria are. Have you
awarded your point? Yes? Awesome that it's time for our
(31:27):
final round, the final six. In this round, each team
will have just six words to sum up the glory
of their side. Khalila, you're up first. Tell us why
you heart emoji texting.
Speaker 2 (31:41):
Open your mind, future is now.
Speaker 7 (31:46):
Oh, very nice, all right, Jonathan, Last chance to give it.
Speaker 1 (31:50):
Your all for a call, immediate, intimate, hand and finger free.
That's kind of a hyphenated one word direct, interactive and fun.
Speaker 7 (32:05):
Hmmm, very nice, all right, Ella. It is time to
award your final point for this final six. Have you
made your decision?
Speaker 6 (32:17):
I have?
Speaker 7 (32:19):
Oh my goodness, all right, tally up those points, Ella?
Are you ready to crown one team the smash boom
best I am okay, drum roll please, and the winner
is texting you.
Speaker 1 (32:33):
Next time. If you get instead of a teenage judge,
you get like some seventy year old.
Speaker 7 (32:39):
Man.
Speaker 1 (32:40):
Don't have a fighting chance. Our fingers are just too
pudgy and sticky.
Speaker 7 (32:44):
It's the text.
Speaker 2 (32:45):
Why are your fingers so sticky?
Speaker 1 (32:48):
That's my business. I like fudge.
Speaker 6 (32:55):
Me too, Me too, Ella.
Speaker 7 (32:58):
Was there a moment that really decided things for texting?
Speaker 6 (33:01):
I think it was probably the sneak attack. It was
really really fast. I got it.
Speaker 7 (33:06):
Yeah, Khalila really got that game show mode going.
Speaker 6 (33:09):
We locked in, We lockd in.
Speaker 2 (33:10):
Very impressive, Jonathan. I always like talking to you. You
always make me laugh and I do think you make
some good points about the telephone and the intimacy of
the relationship you can have with someone in voice versus writing, Oh.
Speaker 1 (33:26):
That's really nice, Khalila, you kind of want me over.
I came in here feeling like a little more headstrong
about the phone, but I have to admit you kind
of want me over some and that is a testament
to your your debating skill, your persuasiveness, and your velvety
dulcet tones.
Speaker 5 (33:47):
You get it.
Speaker 1 (33:47):
That's a little dig, that's a trying to get a
little now slammed down top. You don't have to do that,
but sports sportsmanship.
Speaker 2 (33:54):
On the whole, very gratifying. Thank you.
Speaker 7 (33:58):
Well, that is it for today's debate battle, Ella Crown
texting the smash Boom best.
Speaker 6 (34:02):
But what about you Head to smash Boom dot org
and vote to tell us who you think one.
Speaker 7 (34:07):
This episode was produced by Me, Molly Boom, Sanchez and
Santa Tattan. It was sound designed by Rachel Breese and
Mark wrote our theme song. We had engineering help from
Adam Lee. Our announcer is Marley for your worker Auto
and we want to give us special thanks to Austin
Cross and Taylor Kaufman Khalila. Is there anyone you'd like
to give a shout out to today?
Speaker 2 (34:25):
Yes, I'd like to give a shout out to my
mom ann Elise, who's one of the few people in
my life that I enjoy both phoning and texting equally.
She's really great in both modes.
Speaker 7 (34:37):
That's very sweet. And how about you, Jonathan. Any special
shout outs?
Speaker 1 (34:41):
I want to shout out my nine year old son, Hogey,
who first introduced me to Smash Boom Best and got
me listening to it and he is a big fan.
Speaker 7 (34:53):
Molly aw thank you Aggie for introducing your dad and Ella.
Any special things for shout outs?
Speaker 6 (35:00):
Shout out my dad for being here in my absolutely,
shout out whoever you want. Then I shout out my
dad for being here and helping nice.
Speaker 7 (35:10):
And before we go, let's check in and see who
whyatt think should win the debate between Monopoly and Jenga.
Speaker 5 (35:15):
I think Monopoly would win because it's longer than in
that age.
Speaker 7 (35:20):
If you're between the ages of thirteen and eighteen and
you'd like to be a judge, or if you're any
age and you have an idea for a knockdown, drag
out debate. Head to smash boom dot org slash contact
and drop us a line. We'll be back next week
with a new Smash Boom Best episode, Dandelions versus Orchids.
Speaker 6 (35:35):
Bye, Smell La, Farewell, Liberty, Giblets, slash.
Speaker 7 (35:52):
Slash.
Speaker 1 (36:00):
It's slash book Best, It's slash Boom Best.
Speaker 2 (36:06):
I also hate that you said, how do you do?
Speaker 1 (36:09):
Profinitely that's why I did.
Speaker 7 (36:10):
That was special for you anyway.
Speaker 2 (36:12):
And we haven't even started debating yet.
Speaker 7 (36:16):
Yah,
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