John Green's Blog, page 31
November 9, 2012
The Stadium of Representatives: The End of B20 Week :-(
In which Hank is jealous that John got a Volt. And then he explains the whole "house of representatives" thing, which, yes...is weird.
http://www.nerdfighteria.com
November 8, 2012
VOLT! A Dream Comes True.
The Pizza John line, available only for the next 72 hours: http://dftba.com
In which John's wish to own a Chevy Volt, which is almost exactly as old as the vlogbrothers channel itself, finally comes true. (Also, I think this is the first time we've ever made a video in the "autos and vehicles" category of YouTube.)
November 7, 2012
The 51st State
In which Hank discusses the historical nature of yesterday's election, and how a bunch of Americans who don't live in America may end up having the most significant impact of all. But then again, maybe not.
Not only would Puerto Rico's statehood be a very uphill battle to a supermajority in Congress, it also remains an extremely divisive issue with the commonwealth. But it is fascinating that Puerto Rico remains, in effect, a colony of the United States and has been an autonomous country for all of four weeks (after the Spanish gave it up and before the US took possession) in it's 500 year history.
It's important to note that the question on the ballot was an odd one (I didn't have time to talk about this in the video). It was a two-part question, first asking if people wanted to see Puerto Rico's status change (a majority did) and then asking, if it did, how they would like it to change (even if they had just said that they /didn't/ want it to change.)
A large number of people did not answer the second question, indicating that the majority that favored statehood may have been overwhelmed by the people who didn't want any chance mixed with the people who wanted full independence or a different commonwealth status.
Nonetheless, the portion of Puerto Rico favoring statehood continues to increase, and this is an issue that we will have to face some day.
November 6, 2012
Terrible at Frenching: My Spicy Summer Camp Story
Find your polling place and GO VOTE. You will be so happy you did! https://www.google.com/elections/ed/u...
In which John discusses his trials and travails as an amateur french kisser and tries to tell an ACTUAL spicy summer camp story, instead of one about freaking spices. Also, he takes you to his polling place, briefly discusses voting with the Yeti, and encourages you to vote. It's all kissing and politics, basically.
November 5, 2012
Spicy Summer Camp Story
In which Hank decides to take a break from the intensity of the election to tell you a spicy tale from his past as a summer camp counselor.
Don't Forget to Vote, America!
http://dftva.com
Thanks to Jeremy Smith for helping coax this story out of my memory and give it structure: http://www.jeremynsmith.com/Jeremy_N....
November 4, 2012
Policy and Politics: Brotherhood 2.0 Week Begins
In which John discusses the tax proposals of the two major candidates for President while arguing against the hysterical rhetoric that marks contemporary political discourse. This is the first of six consecutive daily videos Hank and I will be making to fulfill the first of our two outstanding punishments. Also discussed: the difference between ordinary income and capital gains, and the theory behind taxing capital gains at a lower rate than ordinary income (which both candidates favor, just to different degrees).
November 2, 2012
Disney Buys Star Wars and DFTVA!
http://www.DFTVA.com - submit a picture of you doing the Nerdfighter sign at your polling place or with your ballot and get a free sticker!
Share the Sticker! http://edwardspoonhands.com/image/348...
Sticker Design by Karen Kavett: http://youtube.com/karen
Site Development by Sam Rudge: https://twitter.com/samrudge
In which Hank talks about all of the crazy things going on including Disney's acquisition of LucasFilm, Hurricane Sandy, Darcy Day, Assassin's Creed 3, and the U.S. Elections. He also coughs a lot.
LINKS!!!
Big Day Playlist: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=...
Darcy Day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZqL4u...
Nerdfighter Anthem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyB-_U...
Hank Plays Assassin's Creed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NThc8Q...
International Nerdfighter Video: http://youtu.be/q_a7YO9pAns
The HPA's Equality FTW Campaign! http://thehpalliance.org/action/campa...
October 30, 2012
TINY BALLS! Nerds Do Vegas.
Donate to assist those affected by Hurricane Sandy: http://www.redcross.org/charitable-do...
In which John visits Las Vegas and discusses proper casino gambling strategies, particularly relating to the game of roulette, which features--like all good and noble things in this world--a tiny ball. John also shows off his mad shaving skills and laments that Paris (Las Vegas) is not Paris (France). For all of you who miss old-school vlogbrothers videos: HERE, I MADE YOU ONE.
October 26, 2012
Apples! CGP Grey Style
In which Hank tells you some things you probabably didn't really need to know about apples...but that's OK right?
Evil Baby Orphanage Card Game! http://dftba.com/product/132/Evil-Bab...
Last week I was talking to CGP Grey (http://www.youtube.com/cgpgrey) about how he needs to make videos more often. And he was like "Dude, it's really hard." And I was like "naaahhh." So he told me to try it, so I did, and I haven't stood up in like two days...it was extremely hard and the end product is a good deal less excellent than the average CGP Grey video.
So, I am willing to concede that he probably can't make one video per week without killing himself. BUT! I still think he should try, because I love his stuff.
Oh, also, he attributes all his images...which was insanely difficult to do, but here they are!
Music: Whiskey on the Mississippi by Incompetech: http://www.incompetech.com/music/roya...
Jan Tik http://www.flickr.com/photos/jantik/3...
leoncillo sabino http://www.flickr.com/photos/italinth...
Robert S. Donovan http://www.flickr.com/photos/booleans...
Hair-Flick http://www.flickr.com/photos/hairflic...
Watershed Post http://www.flickr.com/photos/watershe...
Thomas Hawk http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomasha...
JD Hancock http://www.flickr.com/photos/jdhancoc...'
Micky** http://www.flickr.com/photos/emzee/27...
architecturegeek http://www.flickr.com/photos/architec...
Gage Skidmore http://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskid...
VistaICO.com http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
Powi http://www.flickr.com/photos/powi/211...
jrsnchzhrs http://www.flickr.com/photos/jrsnchzh...
racheocity http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachel-j...
Selma90 http://www.flickr.com/photos/selma90/...
Foxtongue http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxtongu...
talliskeeton http://www.flickr.com/photos/talliske...
amiefedora http://www.flickr.com/photos/amiefedo...
orchidgalore http://www.flickr.com/photos/25609635...
Muffet http://www.flickr.com/photos/calliope...
D H Wright http://www.flickr.com/photos/dhwright...
mccun934 http://www.flickr.com/photos/mccun934...
Steve Parker http://www.flickr.com/photos/sparker/...
Violentz http://www.flickr.com/photos/violentz...
Abhijit Tembhekar http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
Måns Sandström http://www.flickr.com/photos/manssand...
scottfeldstein http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
Tara Alton: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
dddaag http://www.flickr.com/photos/daaggg/5...
October 23, 2012
Understanding the National Debt and Budget Deficit
In which John discusses the US national debt, the federal budget deficit, plans for shrinking or eliminating the deficit, and tries to provide some context to the political rhetoric and statistics that are constantly thrown around in an election season. Along the way, I hope you'll understand why the United States' sovereign debt hasn't led us to an economic crisis, but also why budget deficits need to shrink in order to ensure that credit remains inexpensive and the US continues to enjoy the trust of the world economy. (Friendly reminder: Educational videos, by extensive precedent, are allowed to be longer than 4:00.)
Here's why I think the gold standard is a bad idea: 1. By restricting money supply to the supply of gold, you risk shrinking the money supply just because of a shock leading to a disruption in supply from mining. This creates a lot of volatility in the money supply for no reason. 2. The gold standard limits a government's ability to respond to changes in the market, which can (and has) led to unescapable deflationary spirals. 3. Far from inspiring investor confidence, its implementation would crush it: http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/gol...
Posters and stuff: http://dftba.com
My tumblr: http://fishingboatproceeds.tumblr.com
My twitter: http://www.twitter.com/realjohngreen
