Smart Girl Dumb Questions: How Do Cranes Get Up There? An Astrophysicist & Construction Worker Walk Into a Bar

Host: Nayeema Raza
Episode Release Date: April 25, 2025
Guest: Brandon Hernandez, Construction Worker
Featured Figure: Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist

Introduction

In this captivating episode of Smart Girl Dumb Questions, host Nayeema Raza explores the intriguing intersection between astrophysics and construction engineering. Inspired by a conversation with renowned astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Nayeema delves into the seemingly simple yet complex question: "How do cranes get up to the top of skyscrapers?"

Nayeema's Conversation with Neil DeGrasse Tyson

The episode begins with Nayeema Raza recounting her extensive discussion with Neil DeGrasse Tyson, where they traversed grand topics from the Big Bang to the possibility of living in a simulation. However, amidst these cosmic conversations, Nayeema poses a humble question to Tyson that even the brightest minds might find perplexing:

[00:41] Neil DeGrasse Tyson: "Oh, anytime I'm in the company of someone who knows anything that I don't know, that's all I want to talk about. Let's say it's a construction worker. How did they get the crane to the top of the building?"

This moment sets the stage for a deep dive into the practical mechanics behind towering cranes, bridging the gap between astrophysics and everyday engineering marvels.

The Dumb Question: How Do Cranes Get Up There?

Intrigued by Tyson's admission of not knowing the answer, Nayeema reaches out to her local construction community in New York City to uncover the secrets of crane assembly on skyscrapers. "How do they get those cranes up there?" she muses, reflecting the curiosity that drives the episode.

Interview with Brandon Hernandez: The Construction Worker’s Insight

Enter Brandon Hernandez, a seasoned construction worker with hands-on experience in assembling cranes. Nayeema's interview with Brandon provides a detailed, step-by-step explanation of the intricate process involved in erecting these massive structures.

The Crane Assembly Process Explained

Brandon breaks down the process, highlighting the transition from mobile cranes to tower cranes as the building ascends:

[02:43] Brandon Hernandez: "It's a very, very intense process where you have to first get a mobile... So they deliver these sections from the crane. We do various rigging techniques to offload them off the trailer. We set them all up and then it's like they get assembled one by one by hand."

He further elaborates on the self-building nature of tower cranes:

[05:17] Brandon Hernandez: "That builds itself out, builds itself all the way up. So basically like releases like a ladder more and more of itself."

Brandon emphasizes the role of counterweights in maintaining balance:

[05:40] Brandon Hernandez: "The counterbalance is needed because when the guys are securing the new section into the crane, it has to be able to withstand that weight of that opposite on the opposite end."

Challenges and Safety Measures

The conversation delves into the inherent dangers and technical challenges of crane assembly. Brandon explains the necessity of precise balance and the constant swaying of the crane to maintain stability:

[03:58] Brandon Hernandez: "The crane is always swaying from 1 to 3 inches. It has to sway because that's how it keeps this balance. It's like a counterbalance."

They also discuss the strategic scheduling of crane assembly, often conducted during late hours to minimize interference and ensure safety:

[06:13] Brandon Hernandez: "Usually the superintendent would get a permit to work late hours. That way you have no workers on site. Because this is a very, very dangerous operation where nobody can be in the area when this is going on."

Reflections and Conclusions

Nayeema reflects on the profound complexity and risk involved in building skyscrapers, marveling at the technical prowess required:

Naima: "Such difficult work, such dangerous, difficult work. I mean, objects of this size being lifted to such heights and being manufactured by themselves in the air is just super dangerous."

She also draws a poignant parallel between the physics involved in crane assembly and the cosmic phenomena Neil DeGrasse Tyson typically discusses, highlighting the universal applicability of physical principles.

Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Nayeema encourages listeners to delve deeper by tuning into the longer conversation with Neil DeGrasse Tyson, where the astrophysicist explores even more expansive topics like wormholes and space-time travel. She underscores the importance of curiosity, no matter one's expertise, and invites listeners to submit their own "dumb questions" for future episodes.

Naima: "No matter who you are, you have things to be infinitely curious about, even if you're Neil DeGrasse Tyson."

The episode serves as a testament to the value of interdisciplinary curiosity, demonstrating how asking simple questions can lead to profound insights across diverse fields.

Notable Quotes with Attributions and Timestamps:

• Neil DeGrasse Tyson [00:41]: "Oh, anytime I'm in the company of someone who knows anything that I don't know, that's all I want to talk about. Let's say it's a construction worker. How did they get the crane to the top of the building?"

• Brandon Hernandez [02:43]: "It's a very, very intense process where you have to first get a mobile... So they deliver these sections from the crane."

• Brandon Hernandez [05:17]: "That builds itself out, builds itself all the way up. So basically like releases like a ladder more and more of itself."

• Brandon Hernandez [05:40]: "The counterbalance is needed because when the guys are securing the new section into the crane, it has to be able to withstand that weight of that opposite on the opposite end."

• Naima [07:12]: "Such difficult work, such dangerous, difficult work. I mean, objects of this size being lifted to such heights and being manufactured by themselves in the air is just super dangerous."

This episode of Smart Girl Dumb Questions masterfully intertwines the worlds of astrophysics and construction, illustrating that no question is too small when it leads to greater understanding. Whether you're fascinated by the cosmos or the towering buildings that define our cities, Nayeema Raza invites you to join her curiosity party and explore the wonders of our modern world.