Brains On Presents: Smash Boom Best - Slime vs Slinkies

Summary

Brains On Presents: Smash Boom Best – Slime vs Slinkies

Podcast: Brains On! Science Podcast for Kids
Host: Molly Bloom
Guests: Latif Nasser (Team Slime), Hans Buto (Team Slinky), Judge: Miles from Minneapolis
Date: June 9, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Smash Boom Best, a playful debate show spun off by Brains On!, pits two beloved playthings—Slime and Slinkies—against each other in a quest to determine which is the ultimate fun/science toy. Two passionate guest debaters, Latif Nasser and Hans Buto, advocate for Team Slime and Team Slinky, respectively. The competition unfolds through structured rounds and is ultimately judged by Miles, a musically-inclined kid from Minneapolis.

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Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Introduction of Teams & Judge

[01:40 – 04:37]

• Host Molly Bloom welcomes Latif Nasser (Radiolab host, Team Slime) and Hans Buto (podcast producer, Team Slinky).
• Miles, the judge, is introduced: a tennis and biking fan, music lover, and jazz band trombone player.
• Fun banter as Miles shares his favorite bands (Geese, Oasis, Cage the Elephant) and info about playing trombone in jazz band.

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2. Declaration of Greatness

Team Slime – Latif Nasser

[05:02 – 08:41]

• Latif reframes his pitch for slime, aiming at parents still haunted by negative slime stereotypes from pop culture (e.g., The Blob, 1958).
• Advocates for the science behind slime, especially as a non-Newtonian fluid.
• Celebrates bodily slimes (saliva, mucus) as essential to health:

  “Without saliva, we wouldn't be able to swallow food. The mucus in our sinuses traps harmful germs.” (Latif, [06:27])

• Praises slime’s DIY aspect, revealing it teaches chemistry and physics through play.
• Critiques Slinkies for being difficult to untangle and less useful/engaging.
• Notes slime’s practical uses: Cleaning electronics, stress relief.

Memorable Quote:

“Slime is fun, fascinating, and full of cool science. It's the perfect plaything for kids and adults.”
— Latif, [08:41]

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Team Slinky – Hans Buto

[11:59 – 16:47]

• Hans tells a mystery story: “Why would a master thief steal a Slinky from the Toy Hall of Fame?”
• Shares Slinky origin (invented 1943 by R.T. James; sold 400 units in 90 minutes in 1945).
• Highlights Slinky variety (mini, rainbow, Slinky Dog), and iconic stunts (stairs, treadmill endurance).
• Expounds on Slinky’s role in science education: illustrating gravity, transverse and longitudinal waves, kinetic and potential energy—even in space (used by NASA).
• Touts Slinky’s playful sound effects, usefulness for fidgeting, and even anti-squirrel measures.

Memorable Quote:

“The thief wanted the Slinky because it can do pretty much anything. Case closed.”
— Molly (summing up Hans), [16:18]

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3. Rebuttal Rounds

[09:26–10:22, 17:23–18:29]

• Hans vs. Slime: Criticizes slime for messiness; credits Slinkies’ cleanliness and versatility; claims bodily slime “should stay inside you.”
• Latif vs. Slinky: Argues Slinkies tangle easily, can hurt, and require stairs which not all houses have (“What do you do when Your stairs are too wide or too tall...I don't even have stairs in my house.” [17:23])
• Banter about “stairism”—the exclusion of stairless homes from Slinky fun.

---

4. Micro Round: Fact-Off

[22:32 – 27:58]
Each advocate presents three fun, science-backed facts about their side.

Slinky’s Facts (Hans):

• Slinkies used by soldiers in Vietnam to extend radio antennae ([22:52]).
• The classic Slinky jingle ("Slinky, Slinky… good for girls and boys...", [24:39]); audience debate its catchiness.
• Slinky’s many awards and Toy Hall of Fame status; even commemorated on a U.S. postage stamp ([26:02]).

Slime’s Facts (Latif):

• Hagfish defend themselves with masses of soft, defensive slime ([23:15]).
• Multiple slime “types” for all moods: cloud, glossy, magnetic, edible, icy ([25:31]).
• Snail slime used in skincare, healing, and as inspiration for surgical adhesives; has potential medical applications ([27:01]).

Notable Quote:

“There is a slime to fit any mood... It's the perfect DIY toy, no matter how you're feeling.”
— Latif, [25:31]

---

5. Sneak Attack: International Holiday

[29:45 – 32:43]
Impromptu “invent-a-holiday” pitches:

Slimesgiving (Latif):

• People eat jello, pudding, slimy treats.
• Celebrates togetherness and the “slime on the inside.”
• Made-up song: “Happy Slimesgiving to you…” ([30:51]).

Slinktober/Slinkbruary (Hans):

• Celebrated differently based on hemisphere.
• Focus on flexibility, waves, and a special Slinky-themed handshake.
• Traditional Slinky hat, jingle (“Slinky, Slinky…”).

Fun Moment:

Molly: “Is there a song for Slinktober or Slinkbruary?”
Hans: “I think everybody's heard it.”
— [32:17]

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6. Final Six: Six-Word Summations

[33:14 – 34:25]

• Slinkies (Hans): “Slime's fine. Slinky makes you winky.” (Lighthearted, but self-acknowledged as silly)
• Slime (Latif): “Infinite shapes. Unlimited fun. Squish potential.”

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7. Winner Announcement and Reflections

[34:56 – 36:46]

• Winner: SLIME!
• Miles appreciated the “final six” the most.
• Both debaters commend each other’s efforts, share genuine interest in both toys. Hans to research Slinky radio trick; Latif to incorporate “winky” in daily vocabulary.
• Shoutouts: Hans to gravity and Friedrich Froebel (the founder of kindergarten, play-based learning); Latif thanks hagfish, snails, and his children.

---

Additional Notable Quotes & Banter

• Latif (to parents):

  “Yes, slime prejudice is real.” ([05:46])

• Hans (on Slinky jingle):

  “It's gonna be in your head. You're gonna be going va da da, va da da da da all day long.” ([25:10])

• Molly (handling the “stairism” joke):

  “We don't stand for stairism at Smash Boom Best.” ([18:29])

• Miles (on facts):

  “The fish who use it as a weapon. It's very cool. And also using Slinkies in the war, the Vietnam War to extend radios is very cool. And the surgeries using slime in surgery is just awesome.” ([28:05])

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:40] – Show kickoff; teams and judge introductions
• [05:02] – Latif's Declaration of Greatness (Slime)
• [08:41] – Molly and Miles discuss Slime’s pitch
• [09:26] – Slinky’s rebuttal
• [11:59] – Hans's Declaration of Greatness (Slinky)
• [16:47] – Molly and Miles discuss Slinky’s pitch
• [17:23] – Slime’s rebuttal
• [22:32] – Micro Round: Fact-Off
• [29:45] – Sneak Attack: Make an International Holiday
• [33:14] – Final Six-Word Summation
• [35:02] – Winner announcement: Slime!
• [36:09] – Praise, thanks, and reflections

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Tone & Style

The episode is enthusiastic, quirky, and very kid-friendly, with playful debate, bad puns, science facts, and affectionate teasing. It maintains a warm, inclusive, and slightly goofy spirit throughout.

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Conclusion

Winner: SLIME
Miles chose Slime as the Smash Boom Best, impressed by its scientific intrigue, versatility, and the passionate, fun argumentation from Latif.

For listeners:

Both toys are celebrated for their playful connection to science, history, and imagination. Listen for entertaining science facts, new vocabulary (“stairism,” “winky slinky”), and ideas for your next family play session—or even your own slime holiday!

---

“Infinite shapes. Unlimited fun. Squish potential.”
— Latif Nasser, Final Six, [34:19]

Transcript

[A]

Lemonada. Want to see a wilder world than the one we live in? A world with more beauty, more kindness, and more unbelievable superpowers. Guess what? It's right here on planet Earth. And over on our podcast, Terrestrials. Each episode we tell you stories about the strangeness waiting right here on Earth. Hosted by me, Lulu Miller from Radiolab, along with a whole crew of amazing storytellers, animals and our song bud, Alan. Get curious with terrestrials on the Radiolab for Kids podcast feed. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. If you're looking for answers to all of your kids questions about puberty, just find our new show, Brains on Universe presents Puberty. The podcast. Designed for kids aged 7 to 12, the show answers their questions in a straightforward and digestible way. The podcast is hosted by me, Molly Bloom of the award winning science podcast Brains on and co hosted by high schoolers who've just been through it. Experts are on hand to provide science filled explanations. Search for Brains on on Universe Presents Puberty. The podcast Brains on Universe. Hi friends, it's me, Molly. This week we have a very fun episode of Smash Boom. Best to share with you. This debate features our friend Latif Nasser from Radiolab and podcast producer Hans Buto debating Slime versus Slinkies. On with the show. From the brains behind Brains on, it's

[B]

Smash Boom Best, the show for people with big opinions.

[A]

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. Two titans of physics and fun. It's squishy, gooey, drippy, lovely slime versus the springy, wavy, stretchy, wondrous slinky. Here to squish the competition for team Slime is RA Radiolab host Latif Nasser.

[C]

It's prime time for slime.

[A]

And stretching toward victory for team Slinky is podcast maker Hans Puto.

[D]

It is not a stretch to love a Slinky.

[A]

Oh, and the person with the tough job of picking today's top toy is Miles from Minneapolis. Miles is into tennis, riding his bike and listening to music. And he also plays trombone in the jazz band. Hi, Miles.

[B]

Hey, Molly.

[A]

So, Miles, what songs are in heavy rotation that you're listening to right now?

[B]

I really like the band Geese and Oasis.

[A]

Nice.

[B]

I also like Cage of the Elephant.

[A]

Very nice. Okay, so. And you also play trombone.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

So it seems like you like rock and roll. Do you think you could ever use your trombone playing skills in a rock and roll band someday? Oh, horn section.

[B]

I hadn't even thought about that, but, yeah, I think it's pretty likely.

[A]

That's awesome. And so you're in jazz band. What's your favorite song you're doing right now in jazz band?

[B]

Oh, well, we're playing Spain by Chick Corea.

[C]

Oh.

[B]

And I like it a lot. Yeah.

[A]

So trombone is awesome. Thanks. How long have you been playing it?

[B]

I started in seventh grade, which was two years ago.

[A]

Okay. And so trombone is like. You slide. It's. That's how you choose different notes. It's really. By sliding, is it hard to find the right note? How do you know how to do that?

[B]

Yeah, there's kind of like. I actually get this question a lot. There's kind of, like, different points that you can kind of go off of to see different slots.

[A]

Okay. Is it kind of like muscle memory at a certain point, though, like, your arm kind of, like, knows, like, how far to go?

[B]

It is. Yeah.

[A]

Are there any notes that, like, you couldn't reach when you first started that, like, now you can.

[B]

Seventh position. That's, like the farthest away position. And that was tough, but I got it now.

[A]

Now. Yeah, you're, like, very. You're, like, much taller than me, so you're. You're great. So will Miles say the slinky is supreme, or will he side with slime? Time to find out. But first, here are the rules. Every debate consists of four. The Declaration of Greatness, the micro round, the sneak attack, and the final six. After each round, our judge, Miles 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, Smashbooth, and vote for whichever team you think won. Okay. Latif, Hans, Miles, are you ready?

[C]

Yes. Oh, yeah. Yes.

[A]

Awesome. 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 Latif, you're up first. Tell us why in your house, it's always slight slime time.

[C]

Does this sound familiar?

[A]

Phew. I've had enough screen time. Hmm. I think I'll do something constructive for my brain now. That's a great idea, honey. Maybe something science y. Oh, I know I'll make slime. Oh, it's so gross and messy. I mean, you should play more video games. Mom, try this one. It's really violent.

[C]

Sadly, scenes like this happen all too often. That's why I'm doing something a little different. Normally, my task would be to convince kids of the wonders of slime, But I don't really need to. Kids already know, of course.

[A]

Slime's great.

[C]

So instead I'm talking to parents. I'm gonna get you to embrace the goo and drop that filthy prejudice. Yes, slime prejudice is real. Slime was villainized as far back as 1958 when a horror movie called the Blob.

[A]

Look out, because soon, very soon, the

[C]

most horrifying monster menace ever conceived will

[A]

be oozing into this theater.

[C]

What's behind this anti ooze attitude? It might have to do with the fear adults have for their own bodies.

[D]

Hey.

[C]

Especially the slippery bits that make it function.

[A]

Ew.

[C]

Adults often freak out hearing words like saliva, snot, mucus. But these bodily slimes keep us alive and healthy. Without saliva, we wouldn't be able to swallow food. The mucus in our sinuses traps harmful germs. In fact, mucus is so important, our bodies make more than one and a half quarts of it every day, Most of which we swallow without even realizing it. I'm gonna be sick. Oh, grow up. Or actually do the opposite of that. Slime is also fun and easy to make outside of the body using household materials. One recipe just calls for some detergent, glue, and water. Mix it up and you'll get a wonder of chemistry and physics. You see, slime is something called a non newtonian fluid. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. That means sometimes it acts like a liquid and sometimes like a solid, depending on how much pressure you put on it. If you smack it or squish it with a lot of force, it feels like a solid. But if you hold still and let it flow between your fingers, it oozes like a liquid.

[A]

Dad, slime feels like a solid, but takes the shape of the container like a liquid.

[D]

That's really great, champ. I'm glad you're learning so much. Careful with the rug.

[C]

Slime seems simple, but it's got hidden depths. Slinkies are kind of the opposite. Something that seems like it'll be cool, but then actually isn't.

[A]

No, no, they're cool.

[D]

Look at this slinky walk down the stairs.

[A]

Wow, that's great, mom. Oh, butter sticks. Now it's tangled.

[C]

Oof. Once those get tangled, and they always do, it's practically impossible to fix. That reminds me of one final thing. Slime is helpful. Some people make slime that's great for cleaning the gunk out of keyboards and electronics. Others use slime as a stress reliever. Here, ma', am, why don't you try this?

[A]

Wow. My anger and frustration from that Slinky is just melting away. I feel so calm.

[C]

There you have it. Another adult won over. Slime is fun, fascinating, and full of cool science. It's the perfect plaything for kids and adults.

[A]

Wow. An excellent declaration of greatness there. And Latif, those were your kids, right?

[C]

Those were my kids.

[A]

Ugh. Excellent work, guys. So good. Okay, Miles, what stood out to you about Latif's declaration of greatness?

[B]

It was really fascinating to learn about the movie that kind of first introduced slime and how it's a non Newtonian liquid going back between solid and liquid.

[A]

Very cool. Okay, Hans, you have 30 seconds to spring into action. And your time starts now.

[D]

First and foremost, shout out to Newtonian fluids. Let's not leave them in the dust. Come on. Speaking of being in the dust, the thing about slime is it gets. Everything gets in it. And, you know, slime's great. Sure, slime is great, slime is great, but it's not as great as the spirally flexible. It's just. It's gross and messy and it just lays there. And it's helpful bodily functions, but those stay inside you.

[C]

Oh, I'm so glad you. It's so easy to clean slime. All you need is a little white vinegar, a little water. Not only does it clean the slime all of a sudden, it also can clean your clothes. Anything else that maybe the slime accidentally got messy. You can clean all that. And better yet, now everything smells like pickles.

[A]

You got me a pickles.

[D]

You know, I love smelling like pickles.

[A]

Who doesn't? All right, we're gonna hear what Team Slinky has to say in just a moment, so stay tuned. Today's episode is sponsored by Shopify. When we went independent here at Brainzon, there was a lot to figure out, and it was pretty overwhelmin. And when you're starting something new, it just feels like the to do list keeps growing and growing and growing. But that's why finding the right tool that not only helps you out, but simplifies everything can be a game changer for us. One of those tools is Shopify. Shopify is the commerce platform behind millions of businesses around the world and 10% of all e commerce in the US Shopify is your commerce expert with world class expertise in everything from managing inventory to international shipping to processing returns and beyond. And if you get stuck, Shopify's always around to share advice with their award winning 24. 7 customer support. Start your business today with the industry's best business partner, Shopify, and start hearing. Sign up for your $1 per month trial at shopify.combrainson go to shopify.combrainson that's shopify.combrainson. Best smash Smash.

[D]

Boom.

[A]

We are back. Slime made its case. And now it's time for Hans to get thinky about the Slinky.

[D]

I love Slinkys so much that I'm writing a novel about them. It's a mystery. Wanna hear the first part? It was a dark and stormy night. There was a robbery at the Toy hall of Fame. When the police arrived, everything seemed normal. The frisbees, they were fine. The teddies, they were untouched. The slime?

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

I mean, no one takes the slime, right? Ew.

[C]

Ugh.

[D]

Only one toy was missing. Jinkies. It's the Slinkys. They're gone. Cried the detective. She was a master of her craft, able to figure out exactly what happened by examining the clues clearly.

[A]

The thief took the roof off of

[D]

the museum using magic, then lowered a

[A]

group of highly trained velociraptors into the security room, where they disarmed the cameras.

[D]

Then he released nanobots that snatched the Slinkies, and they all got away in

[A]

an old pizza delivery van.

[D]

It's so

[A]

obvious.

[D]

But something puzzled her.

[A]

Why? Why do all that only to steal a Slinky? Why?

[D]

Okay, that's as far as I got. Because, honestly, there are just a million and one reasons to want a Slinky. And how do I pick just one? First, they're so fun. The toy was invented in 1943 by a mechanical engineer named R T James. And Richard noticed how a spring seemed to step downward as it fell off a bookshelf. And he thought, hmm, that was neat. What if I could get it to step down, like, a whole flight of stairs? Like some kind of walking spring?

[A]

Super duper neat.

[D]

He tinkered and tinkered until he got it just right. And the Slinky was born in 1945. He showed it off at a toy store and sold 400 of them in just 90 minutes. And ever since, kids have been wiggling, jiggling, tossing them, jostling them, and, of course, sending them stepping downstairs. Today, there are mini Slinkies, plastic rainbow Slinkies, and Slinky dogs, like the one from Toy Story by the Way. If you put a Slinky on an escalator going up, could it walk forever? Well, theoretically, yes. It can also walk sideways. In 2016, two people filmed their Slinky walking on a treadmill for a whole 8 minutes and 43 seconds. Which brings me to my next point. Slinkies got tricks. There's a growing community of Slinky artists who dance with Slinkys, and they twirl them around and they bounce them off of stuff. One guy, nicknamed Slinky Josh has gone viral, showing off his Slinky skills at festivals. I cast Slinky.

[C]

Oh, my God.

[D]

But Slinkys aren't just fun and games. They're educational. Science teachers use them to explain things like gravity, transverse waves, and the difference between potential and kinetic energy. NASA even brought the Slinky to space to show how it works in microgravity. But really, the uses of Slinkies are endless. They can make cool sound effects for your superhero movie. They're perfect for fidgeting. You can wrap them around a tree to stop squirrels from climbing up and eating the fruits. So back to my novel. Why would a master thief want to steal a Slinky? Is it to play with? To learn tricks? To teach cool physics? To fidget with? To stop squirrels?

[C]

Ugh.

[D]

Too many options.

[A]

The reason is so obvious.

[D]

Wait. The detective from my novel. Did you figure out the motive?

[A]

Of course, Hans. The answer is all of it. The thief wanted the Slinky because it can do pretty much anything. Case closed.

[D]

But you didn't catch the thief, so.

[A]

Well, then you better finish your novel.

[D]

Oh, right. So there you have it. The perfect motive for stealing the perfect toy. Slinkies can do it all.

[A]

Oh, my gosh, Hans. Showing us why it's no mystery why Slinkys are so cool. Okay, Miles, what stood out to you about his argument?

[B]

I like the using it in science classes and stuff, because I have used Slinkies in science classes last year to talk about sound waves. I also love the Slinky artists. I didn't know about that. That's really cool. And the guy who sold 490 minutes. That's just crazy.

[D]

It's impressive.

[A]

Okay, Latif, it is time for you to slime those statements from Team slinky. You have 30 seconds for your rebuttal, and your time starts now.

[C]

That was super fun. I love the mystery concept. And in fact, I love it so much, I'm gonna add a few more mysteries here. How do you untangle it after it gets so tangled? What do you do when Your stairs are too wide or too tall. I don't even have stairs in my house. Also another thing. Yeah. What do do after you get cut by a slinky? You know, sometimes you get those little cuts. It's a little bit annoying. All of those are mysteries I would love further chapters on and time latte first.

[D]

You don't have stairs in your house.

[C]

How?

[D]

Nope. That's wild. So I can't really trust you to be objective in this at all. So if you're debating this from your point of view, you're already biased and I don't know that we can really fully trust the person the perspective that you're bringing here. I'm so sorry.

[C]

Because I'm stairless?

[D]

Because you're stairless and slinkies are slinkies and stairs are kind of a thing. They're kind of. They're kind of together. And so, I mean, you just might not understand.

[C]

Wow. Stairism already.

[D]

Stairism Here, Hans.

[A]

We don't stand for sterism. Sash, boom. Vest.

[C]

Oh, well.

[A]

Okay, Miles, 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 argument. Did one have cooler facts? Did another make you laugh more totally subjective. Totally up to you. Award your points, but don't tell us who they're going to. Have you made your decision?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Oh, very good. Okay, Hans and Latif, how are you two feeling so far?

[D]

I feel great. I feel really like flexible and just loose.

[C]

Yeah, I especially feel that those ways flexible and loose because I have a little bit of slime here I've been playing with as a stress reliever while we've been talking, you know.

[A]

Mm. Mm. Very smart. All right, well, it's time for a quick break. Stretch out your legs or squish into your comfy chair.

[B]

And we'll be right back with more smashboom. Best.

[A]

You're listening to State of Debate. Home to ragin rhetoric and awe inspiring argumentation. Splish splash. It's me, Taylor Lincoln, alongside my sparkling clean bud, Todd Douglas. Say, is that a pair of vacuum cleaners you're holding above your head? Todd?

[D]

Hi, Taylor. It sure is. I use two so that I can can clean the ceiling at lightning speed. Phew. Now the only thing left is my double handed super spinning full room mopping.

[A]

I love to clean too, but instead of rooms, I like to clean up bad arguments. Especially when there are logical fallacies in the mix.

[D]

Oh, a logical fallacy. That's when someone makes a bad argument that's easy to defeat.

[A]

It is. And the other day I overheard a real messy one. Let's take a listen.

[D]

Hi. Welcome to Sergeant Sloppy's Sloptacular Slopstrant. Our food is sloppy and rude. Can I please take your order?

[A]

Yes, I'll have the chili cheese slop dog, extra slop sauce with a side of slop fries, but hold the onions, please.

[D]

Anything else?

[A]

Do you think I could get some extra napkins with this? I mean, it feels like it might get kind of sloppy.

[D]

Ooh, no can do.

[A]

No extra napkins. But why not?

[D]

If I give you more paper napkins, then everyone will want extra napkins. And then they might have to cut down whole forests to make more, and there wouldn't be any more trees in the world. So I'm sorry, I have to say no to extra napkins. Whoa. Clean up in the debate aisle.

[A]

Indeed. A mundo. Todd, old pal. That was a real sloppy argument.

[D]

That cashier was using. The slippery slope fallacy. That's where someone claims that a small action will lead to a huge outcome.

[A]

It's messy because it exaggerates what might happen without any evidence.

[D]

Well, I don't know what's going to happen, but I'm suddenly craving slop dogs.

[A]

Me, too. Let's not get them to go, though. I wouldn't want to get any on this newly cleaned ceiling.

[D]

Thanks. We'll see you next time on State of Debate. Smash Boom Best.

[A]

You're listening to smashboom Best. I'm your host, Molly Bloom.

[B]

And I'm your judge, Miles.

[A]

And we'd love getting debate suggestions from our listeners, like this one. Hi, Smashboom Best. My name is Georgia, and I'm from Silver Spring, Maryland. And my debate idea is toothbrushes versus hair brushes.

[B]

Can't brush aside an idea that good.

[A]

We'll hear who Georgia thinks should win at the end of the show.

[B]

And now it's back to our debate slime versus Slinkys.

[A]

That's right. And it's time for round two, the micro round. It's time for a fact off. Hans and Latif will each get three chances to make a microargument backed by a cool fact or idea. Latif went first, last round. So, Hans, you start us off. Off. Let's hear your first fact about Slinkies.

[D]

First, I want to tell you about Slinkies as soldiers. That's right. Did you know that Slinkies were used during the Vietnam War? Soldiers would Be able to throw them up over the branches of trees. And they would extend the range of radios. So, practical tool. That's pretty cool science right there.

[C]

That's pretty good. Okay, well, interesting. The best defense is the slime defense. Just ask the hagfish. This eel looking creature releases a special slime to protect itself and boy, does it work. The slime is super soft. 100,000 times softer than jello, but there's a lot of it. It'll fill the mouths and gills of any unfortunate attackers. Even sharks have had to retreat from this glorious goo. So next time someone is bothering you, be like a hagfish and cover them in a slime bomb.

[D]

Well, you know what's gonna fill your ears? Not, not. Not your eyes. Slime. Slime. Well, yes, but also the slinky jingle. Do you know the slinky jingle, Latif? How about you, Miles? Do you know the slinky jingle?

[B]

I don't.

[A]

You mean like the sound it makes or like a commercial song?

[D]

Okay, first of all, the sound it makes is so much more appealing than the sound the other one makes. Because it's lasers versus squishes. Come on.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Who doesn't like squishes? Me.

[C]

Me.

[D]

Lasers.

[C]

Every time.

[D]

But no, I mean. I mean the jingle that they use to sell it. It's one of the longest running, most beloved classic jingles of all time. Slinky. Slinky. I don't remember the words. Slinky.

[C]

Slinky's good for girls and boys.

[D]

Is good for girls and boys. That's a slinky song. You know it. Okay, I kind of know it.

[C]

It's funny because you've slightly undermined your argument here. And the actual line that I do actually remember, it was, everyone knows a slinky, but it's. Everyone doesn't know the jingle is the problem.

[B]

Not very catchy.

[D]

It's gonna be in your head. You're gonna be going va da da, va da da da da all day long. Now that I've done that, I don't

[B]

even remember the melody right now, Miles.

[D]

Oh, no.

[C]

That's right.

[B]

I'm sorry.

[C]

He plays a trombone. He's a musician. He knows what he's talking about. Oh, boy.

[D]

I got some work to do.

[C]

Well, there is a slime to fit any mood. Feeling whimsical. Try making cloud slime, which is fluffy and drizzly. Feeling fancy. Try glossy slime. Feeling a little metal. Make magnetic slime. Sweet tooth make gummy bear slime or marshmallow slime. Or any other edible Kind of slime. You can even make icy slime that's crunchy and cool for those hot summer days. It's the perfect DIY toy, no matter how you're feeling. And there's no commercial jingle gimmick to go with with it.

[D]

You know, it's not a gimmick. All of the awards, just award after award after award for Slinkies. Since 1945, when they sold that first 490 minutes, it's just been winning those awards. And it hasn't changed. It hasn't changed since 1945, and it still wins awards. In 1999, the United States Postal Service, they issued a postage stamp. A postage stamp camp. Only the best for the Slinky. It's also in the Toy hall of Fame. Slime I can't even imagine is close. It might be, like, stomping up the windows for the draft or something. In the slime, the bats. As close as it's going to get, I think, to the Toy hall of Fame. And it was named to the Toy Industry Association Century of Toys list for the 20th century's 100 most memorable memorable. Even if you don't remember the lyrics. And creative. And it would probably be knighted. I mean, we'd probably give it an OBE if, you know, toys could have OBEs.

[C]

Tiny rebuttal. Slime is also in the National Toy hall of Fame. But did you know that there are snail farms where they grow snails just to get their slime? That slime is highly valuable. It gets used in face creams and moisturizers because it's really good at stuff like healing sunburns, repairing small wounds, helping skin regenerate. There's early evidence that snail slime might even help prevent acne and skin cancer. Snail slime also inspired a new kind of glue to help hold someone together after surgery because it's stretchy and sticky and strong enough to hold onto something like a beating heart. Wow. You know what?

[D]

I will say that is incredibly cool. I will get on board with how cool that is. I will also get on board how. I don't want to play with snail slime. I just. I don't want to rub my hands in it. I don't want to put it near my face.

[C]

I don't.

[D]

I'm not gonna have fun with snail slime.

[A]

Oh, my goodness. Okay. A sensory smackdown there. Miles, what stood out to you about this maker round?

[B]

This was good. The fish who use it as a weapon. It's very cool. And also using Slinkies in the war, the Vietnam War to extend radios is very cool. And the surgeries using slime in surgery is just awesome.

[A]

Yes, very, very cool. Okay, Myles, it is time to award a point for this micro round. Again, criteria totally subjective. Totally up to you. Have you made your decision?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Perfect. Keep it a secret and we'll be right back. Want smashboom. Best without the ad breaks. Join Smarty Pass and get an ad free feed of this and all the other brains on universe shows. Plus, you'll get to do virtual hangs with me and the crew and get discounts on merch. Sign [e-mail] thanks.

[D]

Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.

[A]

Smash Boom. This super stretchy smackdown is so fun. Right, so let's keep it going with the sneak attack. This is our improvised round where debaters have to respond to a challenge on the spot. Today's challenge is international holiday. Imagine that there's an international holiday devoted to your side. What's it called? What are the traditions, lore, decorations associated with this special day? Any special food or greetings? Is there a song? Please tell me there's a song. Okay, Latif, Hans, does this make sense?

[D]

Yeah, it does.

[A]

All right, Latif, you are up first this time. Please tell us about your holiday celebrating slime.

[C]

Well, Happy slime's giving everybody. So instead of turkey, we don't need to kill a bird. You can just make some jello and just everybody can eat their favorite puddings and jellos and anything slimy that they feel. Yeah. That they want to. It's a time when you come together with your loved ones and you just. Yeah. You just pass around some slimy foods that'll just make everyone happy. And. Yeah, you know, it's just a time to remember how we're all just slime on the inside. And. And, yeah, it's just a nice time to be with your people.

[A]

That is really beautiful. Is there, like, a song that people sing on Slimesgiving?

[C]

Naturally? Of course. Yeah. It's Happy Slimesgiving to you. I mean, they need work. They need work. I mean, it's better than the Slinky song, but still, they need work, you know?

[A]

Absolutely. Oh, I love that. Okay. Happy Slimesgiving, everybody. Okay, Hans, please tell us about your international holiday to celebrate the Slinky.

[D]

Yeah, well, I mean, Slinkies have a truly international holiday because it's. It's actually named two different things because it depends on which hemisphere you live in. Yeah, if you're in the Northern hemisphere, you celebrate Slinktober, but if you're in the Southern hemisphere, you celebrate it, of course, as we all know, as Slink Brewery. And it's a day to be flexible. It's actually a whole month. It's like, that's how much you need in order to celebrate all of the wonders of Slinky. You stay flexible. There's a special handshake that you do, which is. Yeah. It simulates the longitudinal wave that a Slinky does and simulates when it. You simulate that when it. For when it's going down the stairs. And then you do a transverse wave. If somebody's far away, you do a transverse wave, which is perpendicular. Right. It's just. It's so cool. You get both kinds of waves, which. You know what?

[A]

What?

[D]

Slinkies do both kinds of waves. Slimes. No, kinds of waves. So I'm just saying it's pretty dynamic.

[A]

Yeah. Waves are pretty important to holidays. Is there a song for a Slinktober or Slinker? I think we've heard it.

[D]

I think everybody's heard it.

[A]

We heard it already.

[C]

It's funny. I don't remember. It's not super memorable. Slinky.

[D]

Slinky. Something like that.

[A]

Slinktober. Yes. Just.

[D]

You want to put on your hat? There's a hat you put on? Yeah.

[A]

Perfect. All right. Wow. That was a lot to think about. Those sound like awesome holidays, don't they, Myles? Yes, absolutely. Okay. But only one of them can receive a point for this sneak attack round. It can go to the most fun sounding holiday, or the one that felt well thought out. Maybe the one that had tasty treats or a special hat. Have you awarded your point?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Oh. Okay, 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. Hans, you're up first. Six words for Slinkies.

[C]

Okay.

[D]

Slime's fine. Slinky. Oh, boy. Not a lot rhymes with Slinky.

[A]

Is that it? Is that the final Rinky Dinky, maybe? No.

[D]

Never. Never.

[C]

Okay. Trying to help.

[D]

Okay, so slime's fine. Slinky makes you winky.

[C]

Ooh.

[D]

Nope. Don't like that. It's like. Like wink, but with a Y. Like, wink, wink, wink, wink.

[A]

Sure. Yeah. Yep.

[D]

Is that what we're going with?

[A]

Is that what we're going with?

[D]

It's from 1945. It's an old saying. It was different things. Times are different back then.

[A]

Oh, yes, of course. Okay, lots of. It's your turn. Sum it up for slime.

[C]

Infinite shapes. Unlimited fun. Squish potential.

[A]

Ooh, very good.

[D]

Okay, I'm just realizing we didn't have to rhyme.

[A]

What did you think you had to run?

[D]

I don't know.

[A]

Miles, it is time to award your final point. Have you made your decision?

[B]

I have.

[A]

Okay, Are you ready to crown one team? The Smashboom best?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay. Drumroll, please. And the winner is.

[B]

Slime.

[A]

Woo.

[D]

Aw, Winky. Look. It's versatile.

[C]

It's great. It's great.

[A]

Incredible. Okay, Myles, what was the moment that really pushed it over the edge for Slime?

[B]

The final six was pretty good.

[A]

Great final six.

[B]

The sneak attack in the micro round were pretty close. I think they both could have gone either way, but it was one each, so kind of evened out.

[A]

It was a tight one.

[B]

Yeah, it was close.

[C]

Hans, first of all, your object. I actually do love Slinkys. Even though I'm starless, I love Slinkys. I do agree that the winkies was an inspired. You were in a corner there and you found winkies and it was great. And that might now become part of my everyday vocabulary. I don't know. But it was. You brought a lot of fun, which was you did justice to the Slinky, which is a great all time toy.

[D]

Incredible. Latif, you had facts that made me go, oh, yeah. You had points that made me go, I see that.

[C]

Yep, yep.

[D]

And you did it all with an attitude that made me say like, oh, oh, slime. I get it. Let's do this. So, like, really well done. Well earned.

[C]

Thank you. I'm also gonna go research the using a Slinky as an antenna on a tree. That is. I kind of want to try that. That sounds so fun.

[A]

Yeah, right?

[D]

Don't you? Like, does it vibrate? Can you feel it vibrate? I got questions.

[C]

Fascinating.

[A]

More research to be done. Well, that is it for today's debate battle. Miles crowned Slime the Smashboom best. But what about you?

[B]

Head to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who you think will be.

[A]

This episode was produced by Bea, Molly Bloom and Mark Sanchez. It was sound designed by Rachel Brees. Our theme song was written by Mark Sanchez. We had engineering help from Matt Castor. Our announcer is Marley Foyer, worker Auto. And we want to give a special thanks to Austin Cross and Taylor Kaufman. Hans, is there anyone you'd like to give a shout out to today?

[D]

Two things. First of all, the concept of gravity for just helping Slinky do the thing that they did. Like, way to go, gravity. And also, Friedrich Froebel, who was born 21-4-1782 and, you know, decided that play was the way that we were going to learn things. I think all toys owe a lot to Friedrich Froebel opening that door for us in kindergarten.

[A]

Very nice. And how about you, Latif? Any special shout outs?

[C]

I'd like to thank Hagfish, snails and my two children, Fievel and Huck.

[A]

Excellent. And Miles, how about you? Any special thanks or shout outs?

[B]

I would like to thank my cousin Fiona. She loves this podcast and brains on.

[A]

That's very nice. Before we go, let's check in and see who Georgia thinks should win the debate between hairbrushes and toothbrushes. I think toothbrushes could win because you could get more problems if you don't brush your teeth. 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 drag out debate, head to smashboom.org contact and drop us a line. And if you're a fan of the show and want to keep it going, head to smartypast.org to subscribe. We'll be back next week with a new smashboom best episode, Otters vs Alligators. Ta, ta.

[B]

Thanks.

[D]

Bye.

[C]

Squish you later.

[D]

It's fun for girls and boys.

[A]

And now we're gonna say goodbye however we choose. You can say ta, ta. See ya. Bye. Whatever. Winky, slinky. Whatever you want to say.

[C]

Winky slinky.

[A]

You can say it. So I'll go first. Ta, ta.

[C]

I think it'll catch on as a salutation. Winky slinky.

[D]

Ahoy there. Winky Slinky.

[A]

Todd, I'm gonna answer the phone from now on, okay?