Smash Boom Best: Lava vs Quicksand (June 27, 2018)

Podcast: Smash Boom Best (from Brains On Universe)
Host: Molly Bloom
Judge: Kate Wexler
Debaters: Tom Weber (Team Lava), Jed Kim (Team Quicksand)

Episode Overview

In this spirited and hilarious debate, two epic natural forces—lava and quicksand—face off in a battle for ultimate fascination. Debaters Tom Weber and Jed Kim bring science, stories, and humor to their cases, while judge Kate Wexler decides which phenomenon is most compelling. The episode introduces both geological marvels, explores their dangers and quirks, and closes with a deliciously creative tiebreaker.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introductions & Debate Setup

• Host Molly Bloom introduces the format: two debaters, four rounds (Declaration of Greatness, Micro Round, Sneak Attack, Final Six), and judge Kate must choose the most fascinating.
• Audience Opinions are solicited upfront, with kids sharing why they think lava or quicksand is cooler.

2. Declaration of Greatness

a) Team Lava (Tom Weber)

• Lava is Earth’s “barf”: “I think of it as Earth barfing. Ew. Yeah. And unlike when you or your pet upchucks, this barfing is lethal.” (04:12)
• Creation & Destruction: Lava forms islands, makes soil richer, and can devastate landscapes.
• Intense Heat: “Lava can be 10 times [hotter than boiling water], 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.” (05:27)
• Mesmerizing Beauty: “Look up a video of lava flowing. It's mesmerizing.” (08:08)
• Pop Culture Impact: The classic “floor is lava” game brings people together—a cultural touchstone.
• Notable Moment: Volcanologist Jess Phoenix recounts dropping her favorite knife into lava:

  “But the immense heat stopped me. So I had to watch as the lava completely ate my poor pocket knife. Because when you drop your knife into a river of lava, you just have to let it go.” (05:39)

b) Team Quicksand (Jed Kim)

• Adventure & Suspense: Sets a jungle adventure scene with quicksand as the surprise twist.
• Fun with Physics:
  • Quicksand’s thixotropic properties explained: “It’s a gel that turns runny when shaken.” (11:54)
  • You’re more likely to float than be sucked under: “Most people just sink up to their waists.” (11:47)
• DIY Appeal: “You can make it in your backyard.” (12:07)
• Real-World Story: Equestrian Susie Rowley’s horses get trapped in quicksand, leading to a rescue and a suspenseful true tale.

  “He fell about five different times into the quicksand.” (13:38)

• Pop Culture Fun: Movies in the 1960s loved quicksand; David Bowie wrote a song about it.
• Practical Argument: Unlike lava, which requires traveling to Hawaii, quicksand is accessible—find it by rivers or even make it yourself.

3. Counter-Arguments and Banter

• Quips and Comebacks:
  • Jed destroys lava in 30 seconds, calling it “a hot mess” and criticizing its destructive tendencies. (09:32)
  • Tom points out lava created the ground we walk on. (15:01)
  • The “quicksilver” vs. “lava” household play debate: “We played quicksand at my house.” (09:07)

4. Micro Round: Speed Facts (Breathless Trivia Showdown!)

• Quicksand’s Fun Facts (Jed, 18:35–19:16):
  • Can be made of clay or peat, happens worldwide.
  • Twice as dense as the human body—makes you float.
  • Lifting your foot from quicksand = lifting a medium car.
  • Lost popularity since the 1960s, but once a movie staple.
• Lava’s Cosmic Reach (Tom, 19:45–20:08):
  • Exists beyond Earth: Jupiter’s moon Io spews lava all day; Kepler 78b, the “hell planet,” may be entirely covered in lava.

5. Sneak Attack: Cheer Off!

• Team Lava’s Cheer (Tom, 22:15):

  “Hey, it's lava. Lava, Lava. Hey, it's lava. Lava, Lava. Lava is an awe inspiring natural phenomenon that is the basis for life on earth. How could it possibly lose lava?”

• Team Quicksand’s Cheer (Jed, 22:45):

  “Give me an L. Gimme an A. Give me a V. Give me a—No. Quicksand, Quicksand. It's the best. It'll sink you to your chest but you won't die.”

• Both cheers earn laughter and applause.

6. Final Six (Words)

• Quicksand: "Stuck in sick land. It's quicksand." (23:55)
• Lava: "Humans would not exist without lava." (24:09)

7. Tiebreaker: Signature Dish Design

• It’s a tie! Decision comes down to a creative food contest:
  • Lava Lucy (Tom):
    • Inspired by Minnesota’s Juicy Lucy burger; molten cheese is the ‘lava’ inside the 'earth’ burger.
    • “The Lava Lucy. I got it.” (26:55)
  • Quick Chocolate Thunder (Jed):
    • Chocolate pudding with truffles (representing quicksand's hidden dangers); cookie statue of Tom sinking in.
    • “Quick Chocolate Thunder.” (27:46)
• Judge Kate picks... Quicksand’s dessert!
  • “I have a new perspective on quicksand now. I do like the name for the burger a lot. … The one that pops in my head first is quicksand.” (28:31)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tom Weber:

  “I think of it as Earth barfing. Ew. Yeah. And unlike when you or your pet upchucks, this barfing is lethal.” (04:12)

• Jess Phoenix (Volcanologist):

  “When you drop your knife into a river of lava, you just have to let it go.” (05:39)

• Jed Kim:

  “Man, quicksand is awesome. First of all, it’s got a super rad name. Quicksand. It just sounds like action, adventure, quicksand.” (10:20) “Give me an L. Gimme an A. Give me a V. Give me a—No. Quicksand, Quicksand. It’s the best. It'll sink you to your chest but you won’t die.” (22:45)

• Kate Wexler:

  “I have a new perspective on quicksand now. ... I haven’t really learned about it.” (28:31)

• Tom Weber:

  “Juicy Lucy. You put the bun on. That is the earth. That’s the earth right there. The hot, gooey cheese in the middle of the hamburger. That’s the lava.” (25:50)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intro & Setup: 00:00–03:52
• Lava’s Declaration of Greatness: 04:07–08:37
• Quicksand’s Declaration of Greatness: 10:20–14:35
• Micro Round (Speed Facts): 18:35–20:08
• Sneak Attack (Cheer): 22:15–22:59
• Final Six Words: 23:55–24:16
• Tiebreaker: Signature Dish: 25:44–27:51
• Final Judgment & Discussion: 28:05–29:08

Flow & Personalities

• Energetic, playful, and smart: Molly keeps the pace zippy. Tom and Jed riff off each other, blending science with comedy and making a strong case for their respective “teams.”
• Judge Kate brings a mix of curiosity and humor, shifting her opinion as she learns more, demonstrating how debate can broaden horizons.

Conclusion

Despite lava’s cosmic, catastrophic flair and quicksand’s sneaky suspense, the debate ends in a dramatic tie, broken only by a pun-filled, dessert vs. burger “signature dish” round. Judge Kate crowns Quicksand the winner, saying she gained a deeper appreciation for how fascinating it is.

Final Takeaway:
Quicksand proves that even the sneakiest, most misunderstood phenomena can steal the spotlight with a good story and clever advocacy. But lava’s legacy—planet-building and burger-inspiring—remains cherished.

For More

• Vote or Submit a Debate Idea: smashboom.org
• Recommended for: Kids, families, teachers—anyone who loves science and laughter.