Vlogbrothers in 2020
In March, after his tour was cut short, Hank spoke about the anxious scroll through COVID-19 news, and John about staying together while apart and about his anxiety and OCD. John spent months hunting an All Star sing-a-ma-jig for Hank's 40th birthday, and Hank's A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor came out on July 7, which John called a sequel that improves on the original. John announced The Anthropocene Reviewed as a book for May 2021 and began signing its first printing, while Hank urged Americans to vote and John argued for Joe Biden. By December the $20 million goal for Partners In Health's Maternal Center of Excellence in Sierra Leone was reached, and the brothers launched the charity Awesome Socks Club.
108 videos, 7.9 hours.
Start here: Looking Away (Again) · So Much to Do · Auld Lang Syne: The Anthropocene Reviewed
Main stories
The stories that moved in the most videos of the year (an announcement, launch, milestone, update or result — not a look back), with how many videos each moved in and where it stands now.
- A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor: Hank's sequel to An Absolutely Remarkable Thing (2018) (10) · now: completed
- John: tour with Hank and Sarah for A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor and You Are an Artist (2020) (10) · now: changed
- Maternal Center of Excellence: the brothers' Partners In Health project in Sierra Leone (2019) (6) · now: completed
- You Are an Artist: Sarah Urist Green's book (2019) (5) · now: completed
- John draws 170,000 circles to grasp the US COVID-19 death toll (2020) (5) · now: followed over 8 videos (2020–2021)
- Bizarre Beasts: Hank's weird-animal videos for John (2019) (4) · now: running
- Pizzamas 2020 edition (4) · now: completed
- Awesome Socks Club: monthly sock subscription (2016) (3) · now: running
By the numbers
Main speaker: Hank 54, John 54; median length 3:56; formats: letter vlog 65, explainer 13, review / recommendation 8, list 6, announcement 5, Q&A 4, documentary visit 4, story 2, collab / interview 1.
All videos of the year
January
| date | video | format | by | topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-01-03 | Re-Thinking our YouTube Channel | letter vlog | Hank | Nerdfighteria (also: Internet & YouTube) |
| 2020-01-07 | Endings · Beginnings | letter vlog | John | Personal life (also: Projects, Global development, Books & writing) |
| 2020-01-10 | The Thing I would Like to End | letter vlog | Hank, John | Books & writing (also: Projects) |
| 2020-01-14 | Foolish · Beautiful | Q&A | John, Hank | Nerdfighteria (also: Personal life, Pop culture) |
| 2020-01-17 | It's Like Shark Tank, but for Charity | announcement | Hank | Projects |
| 2020-01-21 | Gifts That Changed My Life | letter vlog | John | Everyday life (also: Personal life, Economics) |
| 2020-01-24 | Horses are Very Weird | explainer | Hank | Science & nature |
| 2020-01-28 | Looking Away (Again) | letter vlog | John | Global development |
| 2020-01-31 | How Many Stars are in the Sky? | explainer | Hank | Science & nature |
February
| date | video | format | by | topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-02-04 | practice | letter vlog | John | Books & writing |
| 2020-02-07 | GET BUSY WITH THE FIZZY | explainer | Hank | Science & nature (also: Pop culture) |
| 2020-02-11 | 1,100 Days: A Mental and Physical Health Update | letter vlog | John | Personal life (also: Health) |
| 2020-02-14 | Ending The Great Airplane Seat Debate | letter vlog | Hank | Everyday life (also: Economics) |
| 2020-02-18 | wintry mix | letter vlog | John | Books & writing (also: Science & nature) |
| 2020-02-21 | The Muck of Millennia | documentary visit | Hank, Nicola | History & curiosities |
| 2020-02-25 | A weird YouTube thing? | letter vlog | John | Internet & YouTube |
| 2020-02-28 | I'M FINE EVERYTHING IS FINE | letter vlog | Hank | Books & writing (also: Nerdfighteria) |
March
| date | video | format | by | topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-03-03 | Consciously Experiencing Human Dignity | letter vlog | John | Pop culture (also: Philosophy & meaning) |
| 2020-03-06 | I Did Not Get Leprosy! | explainer | Hank | Science & nature (also: Personal life) |
| 2020-03-10 | A Strong but Fleeting Flavor: A Reunion Video | Q&A | John, Hank | Nerdfighteria |
| 2020-03-13 | The Anxious Scroll | letter vlog | Hank | Health (also: Personal life) |
| 2020-03-17 | together. | letter vlog | John | Health (also: Philosophy & meaning, Nerdfighteria) |
| 2020-03-20 | The Sudden Obliteration of Expectation | letter vlog | Hank | Health (also: Personal life, Philosophy & meaning) |
| 2020-03-24 | Mental Health Tips from People Who've Been There | list | John | Health (also: Personal life, Global development) |
| 2020-03-27 | Take a Break with Some Feather Stars | explainer | Hank | Science & nature |
| 2020-03-31 | Let's take a walk. | letter vlog | John | Philosophy & meaning (also: Science & nature, Personal life) |
April
| date | video | format | by | topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-04-03 | 11 Little Tips for Better Video Chat (For Teachers...and Everybody Else) | list | Hank | Internet & YouTube (also: Projects) |
| 2020-04-07 | I am an artist. | review / recommendation | John | Books & writing (also: Personal life) |
| 2020-04-10 | Things I'm Finding Encouraging | list | Hank | US politics & society |
| 2020-04-14 | books that help | review / recommendation | John | Books & writing |
| 2020-04-17 | The Rarest Fish in the World is an Anglerfish! | explainer | Hank | Science & nature |
| 2020-04-21 | hey now | story | John | Personal life (also: Pop culture) |
| 2020-04-24 | The Sharpest Tool in the Shed | review / recommendation | Hank | Everyday life (also: Books & writing) |
| 2020-04-28 | get your game on | review / recommendation | John | Sports |
May
| date | video | format | by | topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-05-01 | I Need to Get Myself Away from this Place | documentary visit | Hank, Michael Carmichael | Philosophy & meaning (also: History & curiosities, Personal life) |
| 2020-05-05 | YOU'RE AN ALL STAR! | letter vlog | John | Personal life |
| 2020-05-08 | The years start coming and they don't stop coming! | letter vlog | Hank | Personal life |
| 2020-05-12 | We Could All Use a Little Change | review / recommendation | John | Philosophy & meaning (also: Everyday life) |
| 2020-05-15 | Lookin' Kinda Dumb! | explainer | Hank | Science & nature |
| 2020-05-19 | Didn't Make Sense Not to Live for Fun | letter vlog | John | History & curiosities (also: Pop culture) |
| 2020-05-22 | The Meteor Men Beg to Differ // Judging by the Hole in the Satellite Picture | list | Hank | Pop culture |
| 2020-05-26 | you'll never know | letter vlog | John | Health (also: Philosophy & meaning) |
| 2020-05-29 | Get Paid | letter vlog | Hank | Internet & YouTube |
June
| date | video | format | by | topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-06-02 | --- | letter vlog | John | US politics & society |
| 2020-06-05 | So Much to Do | collab / interview | Hank, Maya Rupert | US politics & society (also: Nerdfighteria) |
| 2020-06-09 | i could use a little fuel myself | letter vlog | John | Everyday life |
| 2020-06-12 | Fed to the Rules | explainer | Hank | Science & nature (also: Books & writing) |
| 2020-06-16 | a cool place | documentary visit | John | Science & nature |
| 2020-06-19 | Only Shooting Stars | explainer | Hank | Science & nature |
| 2020-06-23 | You'll Never Shine if You Don't Glow | letter vlog | John | Philosophy & meaning (also: Science & nature) |
| 2020-06-26 | You Might as Well Swim! | explainer | Hank | Science & nature (also: Projects) |
| 2020-06-30 | i like it | letter vlog | John | Sports (also: Books & writing, Health) |
July
| date | video | format | by | topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-07-03 | My World's on Fire | letter vlog | Hank | Books & writing (also: Personal life) |
| 2020-07-07 | You're a Rock Star | review / recommendation | John | Books & writing |
| 2020-07-10 | What a Concept!! | letter vlog | Hank | Books & writing |
| 2020-07-14 | The ice we skate is getting pretty thin. | letter vlog | John | Philosophy & meaning (also: Personal life, Health) |
| 2020-07-17 | So Much to See | letter vlog | Hank | Internet & YouTube |
| 2020-07-21 | Somebody Once Asked . . . | Q&A | John | Nerdfighteria (also: Global development) |
| 2020-07-24 | Could I Spare some Change for Gas? | Q&A | Hank | Nerdfighteria (also: Philosophy & meaning) |
| 2020-07-31 | Your Brain Gets Smart, but Your Head Gets Dumb | letter vlog | Hank | Everyday life (also: US politics & society) |
August
| date | video | format | by | topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-08-03 | you're bundled up now? wait till you get older. | letter vlog | John | Personal life (also: Nerdfighteria) |
| 2020-08-07 | Her Finger and Her Thumb in the Shape of an 'L' on Her Forehead | letter vlog | Hank | Books & writing |
| 2020-08-11 | never get bored | review / recommendation | John | Books & writing (also: Pop culture, Personal life) |
| 2020-08-14 | Hit The Ground Running | letter vlog | Hank | Everyday life |
| 2020-08-18 | what's wrong with taking the back streets? | letter vlog | John | Everyday life (also: Personal life, Science & nature) |
| 2020-08-21 | The Water's Getting Warm | letter vlog | Hank | Science & nature (also: Economics) |
| 2020-08-25 | Somebody once told me… | explainer | John | Internet & YouTube |
| 2020-08-28 | Break the Mold | letter vlog | Hank | Internet & YouTube (also: Everyday life) |
September
| date | video | format | by | topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-09-01 | get the show on | announcement | John | Books & writing (also: Personal life) |
| 2020-09-04 | Go Play! | letter vlog | Hank | Science & nature |
| 2020-09-08 | That's the way. | letter vlog | John | Sports (also: Philosophy & meaning) |
| 2020-09-11 | If you don't go… | letter vlog | Hank | US politics & society |
| 2020-09-15 | All That Glitters Is Gold | letter vlog | John | Pop culture |
| 2020-09-18 | They Say it Gets Colder | explainer | Hank | Science & nature |
| 2020-09-22 | the world is gonna roll me | letter vlog | John | Science & nature (also: Philosophy & meaning, Personal life) |
| 2020-09-25 | i said yep | letter vlog | Hank | Nerdfighteria (also: Philosophy & meaning) |
| 2020-09-29 | How 'bout Yours? | letter vlog | John | Philosophy & meaning |
October
| date | video | format | by | topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-10-02 | I ain't she was with well and I so and it's and but so and I'll and | letter vlog | Hank | Nerdfighteria (also: Internet & YouTube) |
| 2020-10-05 | Thank God It's Over and PIZZAMAS IS HERE!!!!!!! | announcement | John | Projects (also: Nerdfighteria) |
| 2020-10-06 | Something Important I've Never Talked About | letter vlog | Hank | Pop culture |
| 2020-10-07 | The Golden Age of Vlogbrothers | letter vlog | John | Nerdfighteria (also: Internet & YouTube) |
| 2020-10-08 | The Commercial that Killed a Fast Food Chain | explainer | Hank | Economics (also: Pop culture) |
| 2020-10-09 | The Rax Guy | letter vlog | John | Internet & YouTube (also: Personal life, Nerdfighteria) |
| 2020-10-12 | What Matters | letter vlog | Hank | Philosophy & meaning |
| 2020-10-13 | Me from the Past: A Pizzamas Miracle | letter vlog | John | Philosophy & meaning (also: US politics & society, Internet & YouTube) |
| 2020-10-14 | John Predicts the Future! | letter vlog | Hank | Philosophy & meaning (also: Nerdfighteria, US politics & society) |
| 2020-10-15 | Civilization and the Lies We Love | letter vlog | John | Philosophy & meaning (also: History & curiosities) |
| 2020-10-16 | Still Riding a Big Wave that I Do not and Cannot Know | letter vlog | Hank | Internet & YouTube |
| 2020-10-20 | How to Sign Your Name 150,000 Times | letter vlog | John | Books & writing (also: Philosophy & meaning) |
| 2020-10-23 | 10 Reasons to Vote RIGHT NOW | list | Hank, Boston voter in Hank's clip | US politics & society |
| 2020-10-27 | The time I met Joe Biden | letter vlog | John | US politics & society |
| 2020-10-30 | Four Years Ago | letter vlog | Hank | US politics & society (also: Personal life) |
November
| date | video | format | by | topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-11-03 | Alaska for Looking | letter vlog | John | Books & writing (also: Sports) |
| 2020-11-06 | Just Some Election Thoughts… | letter vlog | Hank | US politics & society |
| 2020-11-10 | On Immunity, Inoculation, and Individuals | letter vlog | John | Health (also: Books & writing) |
| 2020-11-13 | How We Teach: Individualist Stories | letter vlog | Hank | Everyday life |
| 2020-11-17 | Our Biggest Project Yet: A One Year Update | announcement | John, Isata Dumbuya | Global development |
| 2020-11-20 | Would I Take a COVID Vaccine? | letter vlog | Hank | Health |
| 2020-11-24 | personal risk · societal risk | letter vlog | John | Health |
| 2020-11-27 | Finally Launching this Project!!! | announcement | Hank | Projects (also: Economics) |
December
| date | video | format | by | topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-12-01 | The Utah Monolith, What It Means, Why It Matters, and Whether It's Aliens | letter vlog | John | Pop culture |
| 2020-12-04 | The Christmas Creature | story | Hank | Books & writing (also: Pop culture) |
| 2020-12-08 | A Love Letter to My Brother, Basically | letter vlog | John | Projects |
| 2020-12-11 | The /W/orst Letter | list | Hank | History & curiosities (also: Projects) |
| 2020-12-15 | America's Capital of Dead Vice Presidents | documentary visit | John | History & curiosities |
| 2020-12-18 | How to Change What you Want | letter vlog | Hank | Philosophy & meaning |
| 2020-12-29 | Looking Back at My 2020 Goals | letter vlog | John | Personal life (also: Global development, Projects, +2) |
| 2020-12-31 | Auld Lang Syne: The Anthropocene Reviewed | review / recommendation | John | Philosophy & meaning (also: History & curiosities, Personal life) |