As a society, we need to put an end to the use of balloons
Summary
A traumatic childhood balloon accident has left one passenger with a lifelong vendetta against latex and foil. "I was 5 years old," he tells Kareem, recounting the moment a balloon popped on his face and his mother had to peel it off. Now a father himself, he's calling for society to end balloon use entirely. His reasoning? We banned straws after one turtle video, yet we're still wasting precious helium on party decorations that end up in the ocean. Kareem, who admits he's got three foil balloons at home with his daughter, pushes back. What about balloon artists? Nope. The dad's anti-balloon stance is absolute, even as he confesses that hating balloons makes him feel like a less-than-great parent.
Full Transcript
So, what's your take? As a society, we need to put an end to the use of balloons.
100% disagree. Well, sorry, King.
Balloons are beyond annoying.
Why don't you like balloons? Who doesn't like balloons?
Do you live amongst balloons? There is a single balloon in my house at the moment.
Exactly. And there will be a single balloon in your house until your child leaves. There's a Hello Kitty balloon in my house.
Exactly. And there will always be a balloon. I think it's just we've moved beyond balloons. We saw one straw come out of a turtle's nose and we shut down straws across the nation. Right. True.
We've been told since we were children that these balloons float and then just end up in the ocean. That we shouldn't let them go. Is that what happens?
I don't know. I don't know what happens to balloons. That's my fear. And also, all this helium is being used to pump balloons. I envision a future in 500 years where they're like, "We need helium to save the planet." And the guy's like, "And we're just out here blowing up balloons trying to make our voices higher."
Do you have a daughter? I have a daughter.
Yeah. I feel I feel like I'm a really good dad until I get mad that there's balloons in the apartment. So, do you have balloons in your house? I have three balloons in the house. I like helium, but they're like the foil ones, which are not as bad.
That's what I have, too. Those are fine, I guess.
But when you were a kid, you didn't like— I hated them. I hated them as a kid. I hate them now.
What about balloon artists? If there's a little art involved? No.
No, you're still out. No, that's out.
You don't like a little art involved in the balloon making? It's annoying. It's really annoying. It's really bad.
It's not that bad. All right. I— Can I say something?
Yes. I was a child. I was 5 years old, maybe not more, and a balloon popped on my face.
See— I'm lucky to be alive. It's like cut and my mother had to do this peel it off. I am lucky to be alive sitting on this subway with you today.
Thank you. Thank you. So, that's what I'm saying.
Dangerous. Yeah, it's dangerous.
Another losing battle for me.