Texting vs Calling

**Molly Bloom** (0:08)
Lemonada Thinking critically is more important than ever. That's why we make Smash Boom Best. We want every kid to know how to spot a good argument and how to call out a logical fallacy. But none of it is possible without your support. Seriously, we could disappear if our listeners don't step up. But that part is easy. Just join Smarty Pass. You'll get access to ad-free versions of our shows, special online hangs with our crew, discounts on merch, and more. Plus, you'll feel great knowing you're helping us pay our debaters, sound designers, writers, and more.
Join now at smartypass.org. Thank you. Now, it's showtime.

**SPEAKER_1** (0:50)
From the brains behind Brains On, it's Smash Boom Best.

**Ella** (0:55)
The show for people with big opinions.

**Molly Bloom** (0:59)
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 texting. Whether you like to type or talk, we're sure you'll have a lot to say about this one. Defending the tradition of talking on the phone, it's the host of the Heavyweight Podcast, Jonathan Goldstein.

**Jonathan Goldstein** (1:26)
How do you do?

**Molly Bloom** (1:28)
Here to hit send for the art of the text, it's Kalila Holt, producer of the Heavyweight Podcast.

**Kalila Holt** (1:34)
Hello, or should I say hand wave emoji?

**Molly Bloom** (1:39)
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.

**Ella** (1:54)
Hi.

**Molly Bloom** (1:55)
Okay, Ella, since this is a podcast, we cannot see your amazing bracelets. So can you give us a sense of the scope of your bracelets?

**Ella** (2:02)
I have probably like 25 on right now.

**Molly Bloom** (2:05)
Wow. Have you made all of them?

**Ella** (2:07)
I've probably made half of them.

**Molly Bloom** (2:09)
Incredible. What are we talking about? Like string, beads, all of the above?

**Ella** (2:13)
All of the above.

**Molly Bloom** (2:14)
Wow. Do you have a favorite one?

**Ella** (2:16)
I recently made one with soda tabs and it's really cool and it's stretchy.

**Molly Bloom** (2:20)
That's very impressive. Just soda tabs?

**Ella** (2:24)
Yes. Well, and string.

**Molly Bloom** (2:25)
What is the oldest bracelet that you have on?

**Ella** (2:27)
I have one that I got in sixth grade and it says Kindness Ambassador on it, and I have worn it for three years.

**Molly Bloom** (2:36)
It's amazing. So the ones on your arms right now, are they like an everyday you wear each one every day or do you change it up?

**Ella** (2:41)
Sometimes I change it up, but most of them I keep it on like all the time.

**Molly Bloom** (2:45)
Very cool.
Okay. So you also make other kinds of art besides bracelets. What other media do you use to make art?

**Ella** (2:53)
I love like drawing and painting and stuff, but I also like music.

**Molly Bloom** (2:58)
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?

**Ella** (3:10)
It's definitely different vibes because I play more like jazz music on the saxophone, and then I do more like popular songs or like concert music on the flute.

**Molly Bloom** (3:21)
So when you're playing the saxophone, if you said hello in your saxophone playing voice, like what would that sound like?

**Ella** (3:27)
Oh, I don't know. I'd probably be like, hello.

**Molly Bloom** (3:31)
Nice. How about your flute playing voice? What would that hello sound like? Hello.
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 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. Kalila, Ella and Jonathan, are you ready?

**Jonathan Goldstein** (4:15)
Oh, I'm ready.

**Kalila Holt** (4:16)
I hope so.

**Molly Bloom** (4:18)
I'm ready too. Then it's time for the Declaration of Greatness.