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Viewer questions, 2012

85 viewer questions, requests and challenges answered in 16 videos uploaded in 2012, grouped by topic (the domain of the part of the video the answer is in), in upload order within a topic. Each question is followed by the answer as summarised, with the speaker and timestamp. Question Tuesday marks the Q&A series. Back to the overview.

Topics: Everyday life (30) · Books & writing (25) · Nerdfighteria (25) · Personal life (2) · Philosophy & meaning (1) · Pop culture (1) · Projects (1)

Everyday life

  • Q: “When do you think it's okay to lose your virginity?” (00:00:11) — Thoughts on Romance and Sex in an Airport · Question Tuesday
    • John: Asked when it is okay to lose your virginity, John says 34-year-old men vlogging in airports should not decide when other people have sex. (00:00:11)
  • Q: “I like this guy and I think he likes me back, but I'm not sure. How do I find out for sure?” (00:00:18) — Thoughts on Romance and Sex in an Airport · Question Tuesday
    • John: John's advice to someone unsure whether a crush likes them back is what he tells his son Henry several times a day: use your words and just talk to the person. (00:00:18)
  • Q: “How do you say no to sex without offending your partner?” (00:00:41) — Thoughts on Romance and Sex in an Airport · Question Tuesday
    • John: Asked how to say no to sex without offending a partner, John uses a Venn diagram to show that people who take offence at a no are asshats. (00:00:41)
  • Q: “Do you think it matters how many people someone has slept with?” (00:00:50) — Thoughts on Romance and Sex in an Airport · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says the number of people someone has slept with does not matter, and it bothers him that women are held to a different standard on this than men. (00:00:52)
  • Q: “How do I know he's the "one"?” (00:01:11) — Thoughts on Romance and Sex in an Airport · Question Tuesday
    • John: John doesn't think there is one 'one'. (00:01:11)
  • Q: “When is it too soon to say "I love you?” (00:01:21) — Thoughts on Romance and Sex in an Airport · Question Tuesday
    • John: On when it is too soon to say 'I love you', John advises remembering that you can't un-ring that bell. (00:01:21)
  • Q: “The first time you saw the Yeti, did you think she was the one?” (00:01:38) — Thoughts on Romance and Sex in an Airport · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says that when he first saw the Yeti she was in eighth grade, and he did not think he was going to marry her. (00:01:38)
  • Q: “In your opinion, is pre-marital sex wrong?” (00:01:51) — Thoughts on Romance and Sex in an Airport · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says there is nothing inherently wrong with premarital sex. (00:01:51)
  • Q: “What is the secret to a successful marriage?” (00:02:22) — Thoughts on Romance and Sex in an Airport · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says the secret to a successful marriage is mutual generosity, and it helps if you like the same television programmes. (00:02:22)
  • Q: “Is it wrong to do gay stuff, like just kissing?” (00:02:26) — Thoughts on Romance and Sex in an Airport · Question Tuesday
    • John: Asked whether gay kissing is wrong, John says of course not: if two people want to kiss it is awesome, and no one should be ashamed of their sexuality. (00:02:26)
  • Q: “On average, what animal takes the longest to copulate?” (00:02:46) — Thoughts on Romance and Sex in an Airport · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says llama sex lasts about two hours because male llamas experience 'dribble ejaculation'. (00:02:46)
  • Q: “He loves me and I don't love him and he won't take no for an answer?” (00:02:55) — Thoughts on Romance and Sex in an Airport · Question Tuesday
    • John: If someone says he loves you but won't take no for an answer, John says he doesn't love you; he doesn't respect your right to choose your own romantic partners. (00:02:55)
  • Q: “Is it weird that I'm in college and I've never kissed anyone?” (00:03:02) — Thoughts on Romance and Sex in an Airport · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says never having kissed anyone in college is not weird, citing that this was the most thumbed-up question of the hundreds he got on Facebook. (00:03:02)
  • Q: “What's it like to do taxes?” (00:00:17) — Thoughts on Growing up
    • Hank: Asked what doing taxes is like, Hank says paying your fair share for defense, education and health care for old people sounds reasonable, but the process is inexplicably hard and painful. (00:00:19)
  • Q: “How do I deal with Peter Pan syndrome?” (00:00:44) — Thoughts on Growing up
    • Hank: On Peter Pan syndrome, Hank says growing up is what you make it: being silly is still allowed, and what adulthood excludes is thoughtlessness, so be thoughtful and silly. (00:00:46)
  • Q: “How do you get past your insecurities?” (00:01:46) — Thoughts on Growing up
    • Hank: On getting past insecurities, Hank says that if you fail he will like you more, so viewers should start failing now. (00:01:46)
  • Q: “Would you go back to being younger if you could?” (00:02:06) — Thoughts on Growing up
    • Hank: Hank would not go back to being younger: he likes his deeper, more thoughtful understanding of the world; when told in his high-school junior year it was the best time of his life, he thought it better not be. (00:02:06)
  • Q: “But how do you know when you're an adult?” (00:02:54) — Thoughts on Growing up
    • Hank: Asked how you know you are an adult, Hank says you don't: the hard lines between life stages are imaginary conveniences, and loving, growing up, raising a child or having a job are not destinations or achievements to unlock. (00:02:54)
  • Q: “How do I gently tell a boy that I'm not romantically interested in him?” (00:03:04) — The Dangling Rope of Terror: It's Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: Asked how to gently tell a boy you are not romantically interested in him, John offers his one piece of relationship advice: use your words. (00:03:07)
  • Q [request]: “My laptop overheats so I can't play games.” (00:00:11) — Solving Your Problems!
    • John: For an overheating laptop John suggests cleaning it, and if that fails a $20 cooling pad. (00:00:11)
  • Q [request]: “I feel that spiders are a big problem in the world.” (00:00:18) — Solving Your Problems!
    • John: To someone who thinks spiders are a big problem, John says a lack of spiders would be a bigger one and prescribes Charlotte's Web, 192 beautiful pages. (00:00:18)
  • Q [request]: “I hate when you're about to sit on the one seat left on the bus but someone takes the seat.” (00:00:53) — Solving Your Problems!
    • John: When someone takes the last bus seat, John advises assuming, however improbably, that they need it more than you; it may not be true but it helps keep you sane. (00:00:57)
  • Q [request]: “I never know what to do and I always invent a reason not to do stuff.” (00:01:18) — Solving Your Problems!
    • John: For people who never know what to do, John says the easiest thing is what we are already doing, usually nothing, and suggests visiting an art museum alone, reading poetry, and birdwatching in a park while inventing bird names. (00:01:21)
  • Q [request]: “MY CAPSLOCK KEY IS BROKEN!” (00:01:39) — Solving Your Problems!
    • John: For a broken caps lock key John suggests disabling it in Mac system preferences or with the free PC application KeyTweak. (00:01:41)
  • Q [request]: “The book store in my mall closed down and it was replaced by an eyebrow design store.” (00:02:13) — Solving Your Problems!
    • John: On a mall bookstore replaced by an eyebrow design store, John says to buy books at bookstores: if you want bookstores to exist, support them, because how you spend your money shapes the world. (00:02:16)
  • Q [request]: “My problem is a lack of community for beginning writers.” (00:02:32) — Solving Your Problems!
    • John: For beginning writers who lack a community, John recommends figment.com. (00:02:32)
  • Q: “I just got dumped. What do?” (00:00:00) — John and Rainn Wilson Talk Romance
    • Rainn Wilson: Rainn advises someone just dumped to feel the feelings first: a breakup is the death of a relationship, with a grieving process that must be fully processed. (00:00:24)
  • Q: “Is it even worth it?” — asked by roxinpunch (00:00:09) — Is College Worth It?
    • John: John takes up long-time Nerdfighter roxinpunch's Tumblr question whether college, with its overpriced degrees, is even worth it, as relevant to students and to people still repaying loans. (00:00:02)
    • John: For a reasonably good accredited university, John says two things are true: it is criminally overpriced, and it is probably still worth it. (00:01:59)
  • Q [challenge]: “Worst place to puke ever.” (00:00:21) — The Five Worst Places to Vomit
    • John: After his Steak 'n Shake video, a Nerdfighter called vomit in a urinal the worst place to puke ever; John submits there are at least five worse places. (00:00:16)
  • Q: “I'm a college freshman, how do I figure out what the hell to do with my life?” (00:00:10) — What To Do With Your Life
    • John: On Question Tuesday John answers one question from a college freshman about how to figure out what to do with life, a question the brothers get almost every day. (00:00:05)
    • John: John disagrees with the question: it implies adulthood is a monolithic state where you acquire a job and spouse and ride it out until death. (00:00:15)

Books & writing

  • Q: “How you doing?” (00:00:11) — The Fault in Our Stars · Question Tuesday
    • John: John is a bit stressed: he has to leave his family for a month, which is a bummer, but he is excited to go on tour. (00:00:12)
  • Q: “So what inspired you to write The Fault In Our Stars?” (00:00:26) — The Fault in Our Stars · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says TFIOS grew from his work almost twelve years ago as a student chaplain at a children's hospital; he has been trying ever since to write a funny, honest story about it. (00:00:28)
  • Q: “Do you think The Fault In Our Stars is your best book yet?” (00:00:36) — The Fault in Our Stars · Question Tuesday
    • John: Asked if TFIOS is his best book, John doesn't know: its reviews are better than any of his other books', but authors shouldn't judge their own work; Mark Twain thought Joan of Arc his best. (00:00:38)
  • Q: “Was it hard to write The Fault In Our Stars as a parent?” (00:00:57) — The Fault in Our Stars · Question Tuesday
    • John: John doesn't think he could have written TFIOS until he was a parent. (00:01:00)
  • Q: “How much research did you have to do about the medical stuff in the The Fault In Our Stars?” (00:01:01) — The Fault in Our Stars · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says he did more medical research for TFIOS than a hypochondriac probably should. (00:01:04)
  • Q: “What made you decide to write this one from a girl's point of view?” (00:01:06) — The Fault in Our Stars · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says he wrote TFIOS from a girl's point of view partly to think about how gender constructions shape our understanding of what constitutes heroism. (00:01:08)
  • Q: “Do you think V for Vendetta is a proponent of democracy or anarchy?” (00:01:14) — The Fault in Our Stars · Question Tuesday
    • John: John thinks V for Vendetta is primarily a proponent of a very specific and pervasive idea of heroism, rather than of democracy or anarchy. (00:01:17)
  • Q [request]: “Will you do peanut butter face?” (00:01:22) — The Fault in Our Stars · Question Tuesday
    • John: Asked for peanut butter face in an airport, John objects people will think he's crazy, then makes do with peanut butter crackers. (00:01:22)
  • Q: “Will I feel out of the loop if I haven't read Looking For Alaska?” (00:01:30) — The Fault in Our Stars · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says readers won't feel out of the loop without Looking for Alaska: unlike Harry Potter, his books have nothing to do with each other. (00:01:30)
  • Q [request]: “Hey, my pre-order wasn't signed.” (00:01:40) — The Fault in Our Stars · Question Tuesday
    • John: John tells buyers whose pre-ordered copy wasn't signed not to panic and to email him their name, address and where they ordered the book. (00:01:40)
  • Q: “Did you ever get emotional while writing this book?” (00:01:47) — The Fault in Our Stars · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says he got emotional quite a bit while writing the book, but he's a crier. (00:01:47)
  • Q: “Wait is The Fault In Our Stars gonna make me cry or laugh or what?” (00:01:50) — The Fault in Our Stars · Question Tuesday
    • John: Asked whether TFIOS will make readers cry or laugh, John says ideally it will make them feel all of the things. (00:01:50)
  • Q: “Was Esther an inspiration for this book?” (00:02:11) — The Fault in Our Stars · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says he could never have written TFIOS without knowing Esther, who definitely inspired it, but stresses that Hazel is not Esther: the book is made up, a novel. (00:02:11)
  • Q: “Are there any tickets left to anywhere on the Tour De Nerdfighting?” (00:02:31) — The Fault in Our Stars · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says Tour de Nerdfighting tickets remain only near New Orleans, Houston, Austin, Phoenix, Albuquerque, Seattle and San Francisco, with ticket info in the description. (00:02:31)
  • Q: “Has Nerdfighteria influenced your writing at all?” (00:02:46) — The Fault in Our Stars · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says Nerdfighteria has shaped TFIOS in so many ways he can't list them, as readers will probably see. (00:02:46)
  • Q: “What was your favorite moment in the creation of The Fault In Our Stars?” (00:02:53) — The Fault in Our Stars · Question Tuesday
    • John: John's favourite moment: Islamic mystics' word fanaa, dissolution of the self, is what reading and writing do when they work; writing TFIOS he often felt he transcended himself, and hopes readers will too. (00:02:53)
  • Q [request]: “Will you do sharpie face?” (00:00:03) — Sharpie Face Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: Asked whether he will do Sharpie Face, John agrees, but only for the answers. (00:00:03)
  • Q: “How involved do you plan to be in the making of the TFiOS movie?” (00:00:07) — Sharpie Face Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says he will be involved in the TFIOS movie in any way he can be helpful, but he is not a movie person. (00:00:10)
  • Q: “Who do you think should play Hazel and Augustus in a movie of The Fault in Our Stars?” (00:01:25) — Sharpie Face Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: Asked who should play Hazel and Augustus, John says he knows nothing of contemporary actors (Drew Barrymore is still 17 in his mind) and asks who viewers would want. (00:01:28)
  • Q: “Is The Fault In Our Stars still on the bestseller list?” (00:01:39) — Sharpie Face Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says The Fault in Our Stars is currently number 2 on the New York Times bestseller list, behind only Hugo Cabret, a book he really liked. (00:01:41)
  • Q: “Hey, whatever happened to the Abundance of Katherines cover contest?” (00:00:29) — The Dangling Rope of Terror: It's Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: Asked what happened to the An Abundance of Katherines cover contest, John says it is part of why he is going to New York: on Thursday (7 June 2012) he announces the winner and reveals the cover. (00:00:31)
  • Q: “How do you feel about Looking For Alaska getting banned from several high schools in Tennessee?” (00:00:37) — The Dangling Rope of Terror: It's Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: Asked about Looking for Alaska being banned from several Tennessee high schools, John calls it bad: such bans used to make him really angry, now they just make him sad. (00:00:40)
  • Q: “Will you cast Nerdfighters in The Fault In Our Stars movie?” (00:02:25) — The Dangling Rope of Terror: It's Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: Asked whether he will cast nerdfighters in a Fault in Our Stars movie, John says if Fox makes it he will have exactly as much say in casting as viewers, and should not be trusted with it. (00:02:27)
  • Q: “Best book I've never heard of?” (00:01:30) — Burning Peeps, My OTP, and Velociraptors: It's Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: As the best book you've never heard of, John recommends Peter De Vries's The Blood of the Lamb, which inspired large parts of An Imperial Affliction by Peter Van Houten. (00:01:31)
  • Q: “When is that box set thing coming out?” (00:01:41) — Burning Peeps, My OTP, and Velociraptors: It's Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says the box set comes out on October 25th, with a limited edition in which both The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska are signed; link in the description. (00:01:43)

Nerdfighteria

  • Q: “Will you ever come to the Netherlands again?” (00:00:24) — Sharpie Face Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says he is going to the Netherlands this week (week of 19 March 2012); there will be a Nerdfighter gathering in Amsterdam on Friday night, with info in the description. (00:00:26)
  • Q: “Why don't you ever do champagne poppers anymore?” (00:00:38) — Sharpie Face Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says he stopped doing champagne poppers because, as a grown man making video blogs meant to be taken seriously, they aren't part of his brand. (00:00:40)
  • Q: “Do you get annoyed when people correct your grammar?” (00:01:03) — Sharpie Face Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says he only gets annoyed when people use grammar to humiliate others in YouTube comments, rather than for its purpose: making language as clear and intelligible as possible. (00:01:06)
  • Q: “2,300 librarians just went on strike in Toronto. What say you?” (00:01:52) — Sharpie Face Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: Told 2,300 librarians are on strike in Toronto, John says he stands with the librarians, or will quietly support them from a distance if they don't want a guy with Sharpie face. (00:01:55)
  • Q: “Are you working on a new book yet?” (00:02:11) — Sharpie Face Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says he is not working on a new book yet: he has to finish his 'stupid bad zombie story' first. (00:02:11)
  • Q: “All-time favorite Greek Philosopher.” (00:02:15) — Sharpie Face Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: John names Zeno as his all-time favorite Greek philosopher, maybe obvious to readers of The Fault in Our Stars. (00:02:15)
  • Q: “Can you recommend any Swedish hip-hop?” (00:02:27) — Sharpie Face Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: John recommends the Swedish hip-hop of Afasi och Filthy, best enjoyed if you don't speak Swedish, and Snook. (00:02:29)
  • Q: “Who the eff is Hank?” (00:02:33) — Sharpie Face Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John (joke): Asked 'Who the eff is Hank?', John answers that Hank is a cat running for the US Senate from Virginia. (00:02:33)
  • Q: “Hey, when are we gonna see your punishment?” (00:02:38) — Sharpie Face Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says that on tour Hank told him his punishment would strike when he least expects it; it still hasn't happened, so maybe Hank has forgotten. (00:02:39)
  • Q: “Why is Hazel called Hazel?” (00:02:47) — Sharpie Face Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: John explains Hazel's name: hazel is an in-between color and she has an in-between life, between health and sickness, adolescence and adulthood, swimming and drowning. (00:02:49)
  • Q: “What do you think the difference is between a geek and a nerd?” (00:02:57) — Sharpie Face Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: On geeks vs nerds, John says the fact that both are so fascinated with the question suggests they have a lot in common. (00:02:59)
  • Q: “Did you ever want to be a teacher?” (00:03:07) — Sharpie Face Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says he always wanted to be a teacher, and thanks to Crash Course he kind of can be: he is living his teacher dream. (00:03:08)
  • Q: “Would you go on Dancing With the Stars?” (00:01:04) — The Dangling Rope of Terror: It's Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: John would not go on Dancing with the Stars: it combines reality television and dancing in front of people, two of his least favorite things. (00:01:06)
  • Q: “Would you be okay with the United States becoming more like Canada?” (00:01:11) — The Dangling Rope of Terror: It's Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: John would accept the US becoming more like Canada if that means longer, healthier lives, more employment and less sexual violence, but not putting a queen on the money. (00:01:14)
  • Q [request]: “It's much easier to watch from afar than to participate in things.” (00:02:36) — Solving Your Problems!
    • John: John says participating is more fun than watching and gives three easy ways to be nerdfightastic: a free first Kiva loan, reading Fahrenheit 451, and replying to comments with niceness, which is surprisingly entertaining. (00:02:39)
  • Q [request]: “I have spelling problems that limit how nerdy I can be.” (00:03:02) — Solving Your Problems!
    • John: John rejects the premise that bad spelling limits nerdiness: his brother is a terrible speller and a tremendous nerd. (00:03:04)
  • Q [request]: “I'm an older Nerdfighter.” (00:03:08) — Solving Your Problems!
    • John: John, also an older Nerdfighter, says he has created a Facebook group for older Nerdfighters so they feel less alone. (00:03:10)
  • Q [request]: “I can't find Nerdfighters who live in my area.” (00:03:14) — Solving Your Problems!
    • John: To find local Nerdfighters, John points to Facebook, the Ning and Your Pants, where there are many location-specific Nerdfighter groups. (00:03:16)
  • Q: “Why is legislation to kill the penny being held up in Congress?” (00:00:35) — Burning Peeps, My OTP, and Velociraptors: It's Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: Asked why legislation to kill the penny is held up in Congress, John jokes that the current Congress could not pass anything, even to save itself. (00:00:37)
  • Q: “What does the raven symbolize in that Edgar Allen Poe poem?” (00:00:49) — Burning Peeps, My OTP, and Velociraptors: It's Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: John says the raven in Poe's poem symbolizes death, and as a rule of thumb anything that looks like a symbol in Poe is death. (00:00:51)
  • Q: “What's something you've always wanted to microwave?” (00:00:57) — Burning Peeps, My OTP, and Velociraptors: It's Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: Asked what he has always wanted to microwave, John eats burnt microwaved Peeps from a hot plate with his lunch of apples, the title bit of the video. (00:01:02)
  • Q: “Did Barack Obama's tumblr really post Hank's voting video?” (00:02:35) — Burning Peeps, My OTP, and Velociraptors: It's Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: Asked whether Barack Obama's Tumblr really posted Hank's voting video, John first says no, then, surprised, tells Hank he is on the President's Tumblr. (00:02:37)
  • Q: “Why don't any of the main characters in your books have siblings?” (00:02:45) — Burning Peeps, My OTP, and Velociraptors: It's Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John (joke): Asked why his main characters have no siblings, John jokes it is his way of telling Hank he doesn't exist in his narrative imagination, then 'who the eff is Hank?' (00:02:48)
  • Q: “Hey, what have you learned from teaching world history for a year?” (00:03:00) — Burning Peeps, My OTP, and Velociraptors: It's Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: From a year of teaching world history, John says humans generally get less miserable when they collaborate and get totally hosed when they choose ideology over actual humans. (00:03:02)
  • Q: “Hey, when will your next book come out?” (00:03:10) — Burning Peeps, My OTP, and Velociraptors: It's Question Tuesday · Question Tuesday
    • John: John doesn't know when his next book will come out, perhaps 2014 or 2015; it's going to be a while. (00:03:11)

Personal life

  • Q: “which people ask about in every single freaking video” (00:00:29) — On Cuties and Cooties
    • John: Answering a question viewers ask in every video, John says the marks on his forearm are birthmarks, not signs of heroin use or hickeys. (00:00:29)
  • Q: “I got a lot of questions about the House of Representatives” (00:00:00) — The Stadium of Representatives: The End of B20 Week :-(
    • Hank: After his Puerto Rico video drew many questions about what the House of Representatives is, how seats are assigned and why it exists, Hank explains it to end Brotherhood 2.0 week. (00:00:00)

Philosophy & meaning

  • Q: “What am I doing with my life?” (00:00:38) — I Don't Understand My Life
    • Hank: Hank argues gymnastics scoring and appreciation aren't universal: the Olympics has value only because people come together and give it value. (00:00:52)

Pop culture

  • Q: “I wrote this song after we went on tour because people kept asking me a question” (00:00:00) — I Don't Have a Favorite Pony
    • Hank: Hank says he wrote the song after the tour because people kept asking him a question he had no answer to; the song is his answer. (00:00:00)

Projects

  • Q [request]: “a lot of comments from people telling me to make her have her own YouTube show” (00:03:01) — Meet the Team: The Missoula Office (And P4A and TheBrainScoop)
    • Hank: After meeting Emily at the Philip L. Wright Zoological Museum and seeing her enthusiasm, ease on camera and knowledge, and after many viewer comments asking for it, they decided to give her her own YouTube show. (00:03:01)