Zippers vs Velcro

**Xavier** (0:08)
Lemonada.

**Molly Bloom** (0:12)
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_4** (0:50)
From the brains behind Brains On, it's Smash Boom Best.

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

**Molly Bloom** (0:58)
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 a fastener fracas. On one side, there's the mini machine that's an engineer's dream, and on the other, the nature-inspired closure that will bowl you over. That's right. It's Zippers versus Velcro.
Here to rip into this debate for Velcro is actor, singer, writer, director and story pirate, Emily Olcott.

**Emily Olcott** (1:27)
Hi, guys. Yeah, I'm just really hoping today's debate is civil and that everyone really sticks to the facts.

**Molly Bloom** (1:36)
And here to zip his way into our hearts is actor, comedian and musician, Tim Platt.

**SPEAKER_7** (1:42)
Zip, zip, zip.

**Tim Platt** (1:43)
Efficiency is the name of the game that comes to closing up garments, and that's why zippers will put an end to any long-winded arguments by their quick efficiency and their amazing sounds. Molly, back to you.

**Molly Bloom** (2:00)
And here to judge today's fastener debate is Elliot from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Elliot is a champion mathlete, an ultimate Frisbee player learning to throw behind his back, and is six foot five and still growing. Hi, Elliot. Welcome.

**Elliot** (2:14)
Hi, Molly.

**Molly Bloom** (2:15)
Okay. So tell me how a math competition works. I know math and I know competitions, but I've never actually been to a math competition.

**Elliot** (2:22)
Yeah. Well, it looks kind of like you're taking a math test, which sounds really boring, but that's not actually what it is.
Most competitions have multiple different rounds. The main one is the team round, where four people have the same set of 10 questions to answer, and you get points based on how many questions you answer. There's different point systems throughout all the rounds, and then the most points by the end wins.

**Molly Bloom** (2:48)
Very cool. So would you say competing on the math team has prepared you at all for competing in Ultimate Frisbee?

**Elliot** (2:55)
Honestly, yes. It's a lot about staying calm under pressure and executing as best you can using your skills, and that's something that's really important in both competitions.

**Molly Bloom** (3:09)
That's really cool.
And you are tall, which is awesome. What is the best part about being tall?

**Elliot** (3:15)
The best part is probably playing Ultimate Frisbee when I can catch a Frisbee on top of someone's head and laugh at them for it.

**Molly Bloom** (3:26)
Excellent. That's awesome.
And is there a position you play in Ultimate Frisbee?

**Elliot** (3:32)
Usually receiver, which is just I'm the one catching the Frisbee and running around to try and get open.

**Molly Bloom** (3:39)
Nice. And yoinking them from above people's heads.

**Elliot** (3:42)
It's always best if they jump for it and you jump for it just a little bit later so you can get on top.

**Molly Bloom** (3:49)
Excellent. This is excellent advice today. Well, will Elliott choose Zippers or Velcro? We're going to find out really soon, but 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, Elliott, will award points to the team that impresses him the most, but he'll keep his 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, Tim, Emily and Elliott, are you ready?

**Elliot** (4:26)
Yes.

**Molly Bloom** (4:26)
So ready.

**Elliot** (4:27)
Yes.

**Molly Bloom** (4:28)
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 opponent's statements. We flipped a coin, and Tim, you're up first. Argue for zippers with your zingiest, zestiest zeal.