Viewer questions, 2014
61 viewer questions, requests and challenges answered in 9 videos uploaded in 2014, 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: Books & writing (25) · Nerdfighteria (19) · History & curiosities (4) · Everyday life (3) · Projects (3) · Personal life (2) · Science & nature (2) · Global development (1) · Pop culture (1) · Sports (1)
Books & writing
- Q: “Hey, how to you feel about the trailer for the TFiOS movie leaking?” (00:00:22) — Question Tuesday! TFIOS Movie Trailer, Penguin Knees, and Backflips · Question Tuesday
- John: John is kind of upset that the TFIOS film trailer leaked, mostly because it is a beautiful high-definition trailer, not a low-res phone video of a screener. (00:00:22)
- Q: “How excited are you about Esther's book coming out today?” (00:01:15) — Question Tuesday! TFIOS Movie Trailer, Penguin Knees, and Backflips · Question Tuesday
- John: Esther Earl's book comes out today; John is 'so flipping excited' and calls the book wonderful. (00:01:15)
- Q: “Which U.S. president would you have play a character in The Fault in our Stars movie?” (00:02:24) — Question Tuesday! TFIOS Movie Trailer, Penguin Knees, and Backflips · Question Tuesday
- John (joke): Asked which US presidents should play TFIOS film characters, John casts the whole film, e.g. Obama as Gus, Jefferson as Hazel, Andrew Johnson as Van Houten, Carter as Patrick. (00:02:24)
- Q: “Why is Hamlet's father also named Hamlet?” (00:00:04) — Question Tuesday: TFIOS Movie, Existential Crises, and Symbolism · Question Tuesday
- John: Answering why Hamlet's father is also named Hamlet ('old-fashioned Shakespearean doubling'), John says it will be discussed in detail in next week's (week of 17 March 2014) Crash Course Literature. (00:00:06)
- Q: “Do you think the TFiOS movie is actually good or do you feel obliged to say that because it's based off of your book?” (00:00:11) — Question Tuesday: TFIOS Movie, Existential Crises, and Symbolism · Question Tuesday
- John: Asked if he really thinks the TFIOS film is good, John says he'd find nice things to say even if he didn't like it, but in fact he loves it, though he might be wrong and isn't objective. (00:00:16)
- Q: “Do you think people who read are more empathetic than those who don't?” (00:00:33) — Question Tuesday: TFIOS Movie, Existential Crises, and Symbolism · Question Tuesday
- John: John says studies show a correlation between empathy and reading, at least for literary fiction. (00:00:36)
- Q: “Why do writers use symbolism?” (00:02:13) — Question Tuesday: TFIOS Movie, Existential Crises, and Symbolism · Question Tuesday
- John: On why writers use symbolism, John says a metaphor like 'my brain is on fire' is used so a serious headache can be understood as one needing attention. (00:02:14)
- Q: “Who is playing Margo in the Paper Towns movie?” (00:01:16) — REUNION TUESDAY! FRIDAY! WHATEVER! · Question Tuesday
- Hank (joke): Asked who plays Margo in the Paper Towns movie, Hank jokingly claims the role, purely for the money, as 'the Nick Cage of John Green movies'. (00:01:16)
- Q: “You got any new books coming?” (00:00:16) — It's Question Tuesday! Cheesy Jokes, Paper Towns Movie, and Dinosaur Butt Brains · Question Tuesday
- John: Asked whether he has new books coming, John says he is trying. (00:00:16)
- Q: “Hey, in TFiOS, did you name Isaac that because his eyes are sick?” (00:00:18) — It's Question Tuesday! Cheesy Jokes, Paper Towns Movie, and Dinosaur Butt Brains · Question Tuesday
- John: John says he did not name TFiOS's Isaac as a pun on 'eyes sick' but after the man in the Hebrew Bible who also went blind. (00:00:21)
- Q: “How excited are you that the TFiOS DVD comes out tomorrow?” (00:00:28) — It's Question Tuesday! Cheesy Jokes, Paper Towns Movie, and Dinosaur Butt Brains · Question Tuesday
- John: The TFiOS film comes out on DVD today, John says, with an extended cut. (00:00:31)
- Q: “Will you ever appear in a movie of your books?” (00:00:38) — It's Question Tuesday! Cheesy Jokes, Paper Towns Movie, and Dinosaur Butt Brains · Question Tuesday
- John: John says he had a cameo in the TFiOS film but it was cut, joking that his screen presence was too powerful. (00:00:41)
- Q: “Any news about the Looking For Alaska or Paper Towns movies?” (00:00:52) — It's Question Tuesday! Cheesy Jokes, Paper Towns Movie, and Dinosaur Butt Brains · Question Tuesday
- Q: “If you could change anything about your books, what would it be?” (00:01:10) — It's Question Tuesday! Cheesy Jokes, Paper Towns Movie, and Dinosaur Butt Brains · Question Tuesday
- John: Asked what he would change in his books, John says 'deadpan' appears about twelve times in Looking for Alaska, probably eleven times too many. (00:01:11)
- Q: “What's your favorite scene in the movie or the book?” (00:00:26) — Lacey and Angela Question Tuesday: Pizzamas Day 2 · Question Tuesday
- Q: “Is John a good executive producer?” (00:00:45) — Lacey and Angela Question Tuesday: Pizzamas Day 2 · Question Tuesday
- Jaz Sinclair: Asked whether John is a good executive producer, Jaz Sinclair says he does so much. (00:00:46)
- Q: “What is your favorite prop on the movie set?” (00:01:15) — Lacey and Angela Question Tuesday: Pizzamas Day 2 · Question Tuesday
- Jaz Sinclair: Jaz Sinclair's favourite prop on the Paper Towns set is the Black Santas. (00:01:18)
- Q: “What's your favorite song?” (00:01:28) — Lacey and Angela Question Tuesday: Pizzamas Day 2 · Question Tuesday
- Q: “Who, among the boys in the movie, in your opinion, can do the most push-ups?” (00:01:40) — Lacey and Angela Question Tuesday: Pizzamas Day 2 · Question Tuesday
- Halston Sage: Asked which boy in the cast can do the most push-ups, Halston Sage points to Austin, who did push-ups between takes to stay warm. (00:01:46)
- Q: “Do you see Nat as a friend, brother, or lover?” (00:02:07) — Lacey and Angela Question Tuesday: Pizzamas Day 2 · Question Tuesday
- John: Asked whether he sees Nat as a friend, brother or lover, John picks friend. (00:02:15)
- Q: “Do you have a favorite book?” (00:02:21) — Lacey and Angela Question Tuesday: Pizzamas Day 2 · Question Tuesday
- Halston Sage: Asked for a favourite book, Halston Sage answers Paper Towns and asks John whether he has read it. (00:02:22)
- Q: “What's it like to kiss Nat?” (00:00:09) — Question Tuesday with Cara Delevingne of Paper Towns · Question Tuesday
- Cara Delevingne: Asked what it is like to kiss Nat, Cara says he is a really good kisser, as she and a friend who also kissed him agreed. (00:00:11)
- Q: “Is Margo someone that you can relate to?” (00:00:28) — Question Tuesday with Cara Delevingne of Paper Towns · Question Tuesday
- Cara Delevingne: Cara says she relates to Margo, which she thinks is why she got the part: she has lived many of the character's stories, said many of the script's lines, and like Margo runs on instinct. (00:00:30)
- Q: “Have you read the book Paper Towns?” (00:01:36) — Question Tuesday with Cara Delevingne of Paper Towns · Question Tuesday
- Cara Delevingne: Cara says she has read Paper Towns and really liked it; she had not known how good John was and expected him to be younger, since he writes a young perspective so well. (00:01:39)
- Q: “How did you feel when you found out you'd been cast for this?” (00:02:01) — Question Tuesday with Cara Delevingne of Paper Towns · Question Tuesday
- Cara Delevingne: Cara says she cried when she learned she had been cast, alone in a hotel room getting ready for work when the call came. (00:02:03)
Nerdfighteria
- Q: “When is the Art Assignment going to premiere?” (00:00:47) — The Naughty Professor: Hank and John at the Beach - REUNION! · Question Tuesday
- John: John says the first episode of The Art Assignment comes out in late February and asks viewers to subscribe via the doobly-doo link. (00:00:48)
- Q: “How come Dave Green is never in the videos?” (00:01:22) — The Naughty Professor: Hank and John at the Beach - REUNION! · Question Tuesday
- Hank: Asked why Dave Green is never in the videos, Hank explains Dave is a 'third unsuccessful brother' made up by a Tumblr; John is surprised to have an imaginary brother. (00:01:22)
- Q: “Why is love so hard?” (00:01:35) — The Naughty Professor: Hank and John at the Beach - REUNION! · Question Tuesday
- John: Answering why love is so hard, John says love should always be a little bit of work because it matters; Hank agrees, and John adds there are many kinds of love. (00:01:50)
- Q: “Hey speaking of movies, if a movie were to be made about Dave Green, who do you think would play him?” (00:00:56) — Question Tuesday! TFIOS Movie Trailer, Penguin Knees, and Backflips · Question Tuesday
- John: Asked who would play Dave Green in a movie, John picks Benedict Cumberbatch; asked if he likes Dave more than Hank, he notes Dave never gave him a cold. (00:00:56)
- Q: “I just read Franny and Zooey, and I can't stop thinking about the quote” (00:01:55) — Question Tuesday! TFIOS Movie Trailer, Penguin Knees, and Backflips · Question Tuesday
- John: On Franny and Zooey's line about the courage to be an absolute nobody, John says it takes tremendous courage to do worthwhile things rather than worry about being celebrated. (00:02:02)
- Q: “Do you have any fishing boat proceeds for 2013?” (00:02:45) — Question Tuesday! TFIOS Movie Trailer, Penguin Knees, and Backflips · Question Tuesday
- John: John still has no fishing boat proceeds (his Tumblr makes GIFs, not income); he notes the seven-year-old joke is lost on most and trusts old Nerdfighters to explain it. (00:02:45)
- Q: “At what point am I considered a Nerdfighter?” (00:03:00) — Question Tuesday! TFIOS Movie Trailer, Penguin Knees, and Backflips · Question Tuesday
- John: John says that if you want to be a Nerdfighter, you probably already are one. (00:03:02)
- Q: “And lastly, John, how many backflips can you do?” (00:03:13) — Question Tuesday! TFIOS Movie Trailer, Penguin Knees, and Backflips · Question Tuesday
- John: Asked how many backflips he can do, John attempts one and reports zero, partly blaming the massive cold Hank gave him. (00:03:13)
- Q: “I don't watch your videos, why should I?” (00:00:45) — Question Tuesday: TFIOS Movie, Existential Crises, and Symbolism · Question Tuesday
- John: John calls 'I don't watch your videos, why should I?' a terrible Question Tuesday question, since such a viewer by definition won't hear his answer. (00:00:47)
- Q: “What are you most excited about right now?” (00:03:29) — Question Tuesday: TFIOS Movie, Existential Crises, and Symbolism · Question Tuesday
- John: John says he is most excited right now about The Art Assignment and asks viewers to say in comments what they are most excited about. (00:03:34)
- Q: “How do you find a nerdfighter at your university?” (00:01:01) — REUNION TUESDAY! FRIDAY! WHATEVER! · Question Tuesday
- John: John suggests finding nerdfighters at university by wearing nerdfighter clothing, and notes many colleges now have nerdfighter clubs. (00:01:02)
- Q: “Will there be a nerdfighter meet-up soon?” (00:01:36) — It's Question Tuesday! Cheesy Jokes, Paper Towns Movie, and Dinosaur Butt Brains · Question Tuesday
- John: Asked about meetups, John points to location-specific nerdfighter groups around the world (link in the description), says there are many gatherings he has enjoyed, and urges viewers to check them out. (00:01:37)
- Q: “Aren't you and Hank supposed to do a punishment?” (00:02:46) — It's Question Tuesday! Cheesy Jokes, Paper Towns Movie, and Dinosaur Butt Brains · Question Tuesday
- John: Asked about a punishment, John says he owes one and asks Hank what it is. (00:02:47)
- Q: “How'd you decide on baby names?” (00:02:49) — It's Question Tuesday! Cheesy Jokes, Paper Towns Movie, and Dinosaur Butt Brains · Question Tuesday
- John: Asked how they chose baby names, John says they just stole their grandparents' names. (00:02:51)
- Q: “Are signed posters really signed, or just digitally?” (00:03:25) — It's Question Tuesday! Cheesy Jokes, Paper Towns Movie, and Dinosaur Butt Brains · Question Tuesday
- John: John says signed posters are really signed: he signed them with his hand and a pen. (00:03:28)
- Q: “Sometimes people ask me how long I'm going to be doing this for” (00:03:24) — The History of Pizza John!
- Hank: Asked how long he will keep doing this or what his five-year plan is, Hank says he will be doing it forever, picturing a toothless 81-year-old Hank mumbling about Pizzamas 2061. (00:03:24)
- Q: “What is your opinion of my eyebrows?” (00:01:17) — Question Tuesday with Cara Delevingne of Paper Towns · Question Tuesday
- Cara Delevingne: Asked for her opinion of John's eyebrows, Cara says she expected them to be coarser and finds them nice, with a good texture. (00:01:17)
- Q: “Would you rather the world contain a puppy-sized elephant or an elephant-sized puppy?” (00:03:10) — Question Tuesday with Cara Delevingne of Paper Towns · Question Tuesday
- Cara Delevingne: Asked whether the world should contain a puppy-sized elephant or an elephant-sized puppy, Cara chooses the puppy-sized elephant, to John's delight. (00:03:10)
- Q: “And what is the meaning of life?” (00:03:24) — Question Tuesday with Cara Delevingne of Paper Towns · Question Tuesday
- Cara Delevingne: Asked the meaning of life, Cara answers: love. (00:03:24)
History & curiosities
- Q: “How do I pass AP Chemistry?” (00:01:17) — It's Question Tuesday! Cheesy Jokes, Paper Towns Movie, and Dinosaur Butt Brains · Question Tuesday
- John: To pass AP Chemistry, John suggests Crash Course might help. (00:01:19)
- Q: “Are oranges named after orange, or is orange named after oranges?” (00:01:26) — It's Question Tuesday! Cheesy Jokes, Paper Towns Movie, and Dinosaur Butt Brains · Question Tuesday
- John: John says the fruit was named orange at least two hundred years before the colour was. (00:01:28)
- Q: “Why you love the metaphors?” (00:01:45) — It's Question Tuesday! Cheesy Jokes, Paper Towns Movie, and Dinosaur Butt Brains · Question Tuesday
- John: John argues most humans love metaphors because so much human thinking is symbolic, e.g. imagining a meningitis headache as a vice gripping the head. (00:01:46)
- Q [challenge]: “Can you make a metaphor using the word "slay"?” (00:02:06) — It's Question Tuesday! Cheesy Jokes, Paper Towns Movie, and Dinosaur Butt Brains · Question Tuesday
- John: John says colloquial 'slay' is already metaphoric: a Taylor Swift song didn't kill you, but the experience was so awesome you are metaphorically dead. (00:02:08)
Everyday life
- Q: “How do I ask out this guy I like to get coffee with me?” (00:01:02) — Lacey and Angela Question Tuesday: Pizzamas Day 2 · Question Tuesday
- John: Answering a viewer who wants to ask a guy out for coffee, John demonstrates in his husky voice: just say hi and ask if he wants to get coffee. (00:01:02)
- Q: “Do you have a ritual before you start filming a scene?” (00:02:58) — Lacey and Angela Question Tuesday: Pizzamas Day 2 · Question Tuesday
- Halston Sage: Halston Sage says the cast sometimes sing together before a big group scene. (00:03:03)
- Q: “Do you have any advice for the heartbroken?” (00:03:06) — Lacey and Angela Question Tuesday: Pizzamas Day 2 · Question Tuesday
- Halston Sage: Halston Sage's advice for the heartbroken: surround yourself with friends and family and remember you can love again. (00:03:07)
- Jaz Sinclair: Jaz Sinclair's advice for the heartbroken: use it rather than wait for the pain to pass, by writing, painting, drawing, singing or crying; such intense emotions are rare and not necessarily bad if used. (00:03:15)
Projects
- Q: “How are you enjoying participating in The Art Assignment?” (00:01:34) — Question Tuesday: TFIOS Movie, Existential Crises, and Symbolism · Question Tuesday
- John: John says participating in The Art Assignment is the most fun he has had in a long time, like early Vlogbrothers: a tight-knit community doing projects and responding to each other's work. (00:01:36)
- Q: “Beth would like to know, will she be able to buy one of those posters you signed?” (00:01:53) — REUNION TUESDAY! FRIDAY! WHATEVER! · Question Tuesday
- Hank: Hank explains they are at the warehouse because John has been signing posters all day; the signed posters can be bought at dftba.com. (00:01:53)
- Q [request]: “Hey, review Hank's album.” (00:02:33) — It's Question Tuesday! Cheesy Jokes, Paper Towns Movie, and Dinosaur Butt Brains · Question Tuesday
- John: Asked to review Hank's album, John playfully calls it Hank's best album to date, with the Perfect Strangers' punk energy, and gives it five out of five stars. (00:02:34)
Personal life
- Q: “What were your first cars?” (00:00:31) — REUNION TUESDAY! FRIDAY! WHATEVER! · Question Tuesday
- Q: “Any advice on strengthening relationships between siblings?” (00:02:08) — REUNION TUESDAY! FRIDAY! WHATEVER! · Question Tuesday
Science & nature
- Q: “Are there more stars in the universe or grains of sand on earth?” (00:01:15) — Question Tuesday: TFIOS Movie, Existential Crises, and Symbolism · Question Tuesday
- John: John thinks there are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on Earth, calling it a beautiful question that makes him grateful to apprehend the universe; more info in the description. (00:01:19)
- Q: “What's your favorite dinosaur?” (00:03:39) — It's Question Tuesday! Cheesy Jokes, Paper Towns Movie, and Dinosaur Butt Brains · Question Tuesday
- John: John's favourite dinosaur is Stegosaurus because, when he was a kid, paleontologists thought it had two brains, a head brain and a butt brain. (00:03:40)
Global development
- Q [challenge]: “Divorce rates are only down because the economy is in shambles and people can't afford them anymore.” (00:00:48) — The Golden Gate Bridge Didn't Collapse!!
- Hank: Hank says many comments on John's video explained his good news away (divorce down only because of the economy, infant mortality only because of abortions, internet speeds); he answers 'Nope'. (00:00:45)
Pop culture
- Q: “How excited are you for the Divergent movie in two weeks?” (00:01:47) — Question Tuesday: TFIOS Movie, Existential Crises, and Symbolism · Question Tuesday
- John: John says he is 'already-bought-my-tickets-for-opening-day' excited for the Divergent film, two weeks away. (00:01:50)
Sports
- Q: “What are your predictions for this years Indycar season?” (00:01:53) — Question Tuesday: TFIOS Movie, Existential Crises, and Symbolism · Question Tuesday
- John: Revealing he is a secret IndyCar fan, John predicts Tony Kanaan will win the Indy 500 for the second time and Will Power will take the series title. (00:01:58)