Which video does Hank Green most regret? | Sofa Science interview
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- čas přidán 3. 06. 2024
- Welcome back to Sofa Science: a laid back, (mostly) unedited chat with other science CZcamsrs about their career, their opinions on science communication and CZcams, and a bit of therapy thrown in. This time we’ve got Hank Green on the sofa chatting about how he went from scientist to science CZcamsr, becoming the boss of a company and how fame has affected him.
Sofa Science is also available in podcast form in all your favourite podcast places.
Remember, it’s low-quality production, high-quality chat.
Questions and time codes:
00:00 Intro
00:30 Who are you?
02:10 Would you call yourself a science CZcamsr?
03:10 We go off on a tangent about depressing news and staying aware of current affairs
05:20 How did you get started in CZcams and science?
08:50 Did you ever think I want to be a science presenter when I grow up?
09:52 What did you do after your Biochemistry Masters?
11:37 A family of armadillos enter the scene
15:18 What was the biggest takeaway from your journalism course?
17:50 What’s the jump from writing a science blog to running a hugely successful CZcams show?
19:30 CZcams asked you to pitch an educational course?
20:30 Is $100 million a lot of money in traditional TV terms?
21:12 How do you go from YouTubing on your own to hiring a team with a big budget?
23:10 What was it like becoming someone’s boss?
26:33 You wrote a book about fame. Or is it about robots?
27:50 How has fame changed you personally?
29:03 “Don’t be a super dick” Hank Green, 2018
30:40 Hank hates the word “influencer”
32:18 Reading your book felt like reading a warning to other CZcamsrs. Discuss.
32:52 What is your biggest fear about how fame will affect you?
35:05 Are there changes you wish hadn’t happened as your career has progressed?
37:25 How do you define success with regards to CZcams?
39:07 How do you think SciShow has managed to be successful for so long?
41:05 What are some videos you wish you could make if you weren’t restricted by your format?
43:11 Do you have annual review meetings to see what’s doing well?
43:45 What video are you proudest of? • The Truth About Anti-V...
• The Truth About Flint ...
45:35 What is your role now within SciShow?
47:06 Is there a video you’re least proud of?
48:00 Hank chats about being ‘aggressively non-sexual’ and why presenters are traditionally attractive
51:38 Do you have any rules about what you make public and what you keep private?
54:16 Why do you wish you could be more public about your life?
56:35 What one thing do you wish the audience knew that you don’t think they know?
58:14 What’s your favourite platform?
Our SciShow Tangents episode: www.wnycstudios.org/story/par...
1:00:00 Do you lurk on other people’s videos?
Hank Green:
CZcams: / scishow
Twitter: / hankgreen
Facebook: / hankgreen
Instagram: / hankgreen
Me:
Website: sallylepage.co.uk
Twitter: / sallylepage
Instagram: / sallylepage
Facebook: / sallylepage
Reddit: / sallylepage
Donate:
Patreon: / sallylepage (monthly donations)
PayPal: paypal.me/sallylepage (one off donations)
Amazon UK: amzn.to/2DrD6v7 (affiliate link)
Amazon USA: amzn.to/2WRatQY (affiliate link)
Dr Sally Le Page is a British evolutionary biologist and science CZcamsr. The aim of these videos is to bring science further into popular culture by making science videos that make you laugh, make you feel and make you think. - Věda a technologie
Hank mentioned that he experiences a very slight hesitation when he sees women talking about science, because he's so accustomed to seeing men talk about science. I'm 24, and SciShow was very formative in my middle-school years. I don't experience that hesitation at all because SciShow featured so many smart women talking in-depth about science!
I'm 42, and I think most of the sciency people I know or admire are women. And, yeah, mostly on youtube-SciShow included, though I haven't been watching it much in the last couple of years. I wonder if 'men talking about science' is still a mainstream media thing (I don't really interact with mainstream media, so I don't know what they're doing), or if it's just a historical stereotype at this point.
ive noticed a similar thing, i think its cause most of my good teachers were women
It’s great that he acknowledges it. It’s a real reaction. it’s embarrassing, but it happens. What matters is what we do after we realize we have a bias.
i love hank green so much, it's slightly painful.
he and his brother remind me of the safety i felt as a child with mr. rogers.
I've grown up watching Vlogbrothers and that is exactly it.
Same :c
He lives in my hometown and I once saw him at the grocery store.
I kind of ducked and freaked out
I cried when I got home.
Weird comment
@@Avalonanon have you never looked up to someone
"I've never let anyone go without crying"
Man, I wish I'd ever have a boss this empathetic.
I love how aware Hank is about retaining his humanity and not becoming the pointy haired boss. I'd love to work for him.
Yes. So insightful about how feedback and power interact. I wish I could show a clip of this to my boss. If I'm ever a boss, I want to emulate Hank.
Love the Dilbert Reference
Funny about abduction jokes...
Best. Boss. Ever.
And is it rly a dilbert reference anymore? 🤔 just like my technically "Simpsons" reference, both those have been integrated in society younger people who don't even get the original reference still get the sentiment!:) they've become new "sayings" imho
@@Wheeze_NLaged poorly lol
hank having the "tell us about yourself" panic at the beginning lol
im watching this waiting on the results of an interview and that was literally me an hour ago 😭
@@d25102 good luck!
@@d25102how did the interview go?
+@@extremelynormalperson also curious!
Revisiting this in the time of Tik Tok Hank. It's interesting that he wanted to do personal content more, I think Tik tok really gave him the ability to bring more Hank into his online persona.
Hank is probably like the most emotionally intelligent and self-aware person I can think of. I strive for that.
At about 40 minutes when the host initially disagreed with hank about how long shows last on tv it genuinely caught me off guard that they didnt just back down and agree with him without thought. Thanks for being a person, especially a host, who attempts to speak truth regardless of how its received, even in a small way like this.
Indeed, it's very nice for people to actually discuss things they're versed in. I suppose the lack of this is what infuriates me most about those stupid podcast where a bunch of nobodies will chime in agreement on the dumbest shit ever said.
@@crazydragy4233 Rogan.....
Just stumbled upon both this video and this channel/podcast, and I cannot believe how much I appreciated the amount of "dead air" in this conversation. Allowing the guest time to actually *consider* questions and be deliberate with their wordchoice was a shocking change of pace to other podcasts I've watched which seem to be allergic to silence. Every time Hank took time to digest a question I realized I would do the same, and that made me really engage with whats being said instead of simply using the conversation as background nosie
I absolutely appreciate hearing that you cry when you have to fire people. That's something I've never been able to get over as a business owner.
I love that all the thoughtful pauses are left in and that each question meanders wherever it happens to go. I feel like it gives everything a very natural flow
I massively appreciate you taking the time dividing this into chapters. I was a bit apprehensive clicking this based on the title alone, but the chapters explain what this is about, and it turned out that the content is much more friendly than I expected. I spent a fair bit of time video chatting with Hank a few years ago as a happy SciShow Patreon supporter, and it is simultaneously surprising and not at all surprising how many questions we had in common for him.
Who is here in 2024 watching this whole thing through the lens from 2020 onwards? 😨
Me!
After Hank recently went on his string of podcasts and interviews I've been binging them like one every few days and I'm embarassed to admit that I didn't realise this video was 4 years old till near the end when I tabbed back in and saw that he still had straight hair, which I realise must be such a bizarre way to tell time
Nah, I think going by people's hair style-eras is a decent way to immediately date something (genuinely) p:
Imagine, now, being fired by Hank Green....
1) he didn't want to do it, and it upset him because you're important to him.
2) YOU MADE HANK GREEN CRY!!!
I just realized that Complexly is a significant reason that it seems completely normal to me to see women talk about science.
Has anyone ever told SciShow? (Probably yes, 'cause it's been so long and so many people work on it) That at least for me, part of why SciShow still attracts me, is that it isn't that much investment of my time. And with so many videos, I can just pick one that I am interested in AT THE MOMENT, but I can always go back for more later?
So I am kinda assuming that zooming out from this, aside from the steady viewerships, SciShow is also easier to attract 'come-and-go' viewers, but then would return when something perk their interests again? While other science shows, Crash Course included, requires more of the audience's attention and time, so sooner or later it becomes a little more difficult or something for the audience to follow through?
Does anyone else also agree on this? Or am I really just very limited in my science CZcams consumption to observe more about this?
This is exactly why I watch much more SciShow than Crash Course right now. I’m already learning my new engineering job and finishing up my degree. Adding a full set of online video courses on top of that is just overloading my brain.
I'm just about the opposite. I only add a channel's RSS feed to my subscriptions if I am invested enough to watch the vast majority of their videos. When I'm watching videos, I go through my subscription feed in chronological order, and if a video doesn't interest me in the moment (or if it's too much of a time commitment like SciShow Talk Show) then I just move on to the next item. If I don't have time in that moment, I probably won't have time later.
crash course attracts students, so there will always be a continuous pattern of students studying using it, and graduating and not watching anymore, but there will always be new students attracted to it and the cycle repeats
@@Improbabilities I'm SO the same! I **WANT** to learn it ALL (cue pokemon theme song 😆). But time investment isn't just the video time, it's the mental focus and the intellectual "follow through". Along with raising 2 "neuro divergent" kiddos mostly by myself, I myself am ADHD. Continued focus, when you build today's knowledge from what you retained yesterday, and use it for what you learn tomorrow? There's just SO MUCH that interrupts that in me and my life 😂😂😂😂😂
You've got another here, that's baisically JUST LIKE THIS. But, I would really LOVE to follow crash course and sometimes try even. But.... life. Ya'know? 🤷♀️🥴
I came for Hank, but will come back for the thoughtful, interesting interview questions asked by Sally! I knew she looked familiar but could not put my finger on why until they mentioned the SciShow Quiz Show that she was on. Although I have followed Hank and John though most of their online careers, Sally still brought out details that I had never known (and then some that I was happy to remember!) Hank, you are a great example for so many people. I appreciate all that you have done. Can't wait until I have time to watch the episode with Caitlin!!
hi! did you ever check back in on this person's channel?
Sally, I'm so happy that you're getting more into CZcams. I've been watching (and loving) your videos for over a year and can't wait for more quality content!
I like that you worry about your shows not having really changed format wise, especially regarding Crash Course and SciShow. I think that shows you care about it, a lot. I think Crash Course, akin to Kurzgesagt, is timeless as it is clearly its own thing. I do wonder about the future of SciShow though, because while the current format is good, I think new approaches are very much needed in that kind of content - hence, like you said, why The Verge Science is so appealing right now.
I am a big vlogbrothers/etc fan, ad thought this was a great interview. I was disappointed by the comment by Hank, that there has to be a certain level of attractiveness in the hosts that they hire for shows, the reason being so the audience isn't overly distracted by how the host looks and focuses better on the science. I think Hank has an incredible opportunity to help alter our perceptions of what scientists look like. As a disabled scientist who has faced discrimination in the workplace based on my appearance, I hope that Hank will consider that he has an opportunity to demonstrate that scientists and experts can look like everyone.
I wonder if he felt that learning about the scientific process and mindset would naturally lead people to question their own prejudices. Like you, though, I worry that it instead builds up biases in people who might participate in the field.
I agree with your general sentiment that host shouldn't be picked based on their appearance, and perhaps it would be worthwhile to hire hosts who would otherwise be discriminated against because of their appearance. It's awful that something as shallow as that, is a factor that even merits consideration in science education videos.
However, the reality of the situation is that sci-show and shows like it represent actual scientific education to a small fraction of their viewer base. For a whole lot of other people who watch it, it's' basically "intellectual fast food". I don't say that to demean sci-show, but it's frequently consumed as entertainment, not a tool for education.
Because of that there is a vocal subset of the viewerbase who get very vocal and unpleasant about the appearance of hosts. From what they're wearing, to their speech mannerisms. I don't recall the names of hosts but the woman with a nose ring and vocal fry was a target of ridiculous internet outrage for YEARS on sci-show. And I don't know if she still hosts because of it (I certainly hope she does).
The issue this presents is that this group uses the dislike button out of spite, they leave mean spirited comments and do a variety of other unpleasant things (including off youtube harassment). Not only does this make life hellish for the hosts, but it also negatively impacts the performance of the videos. That means that not only does sci-show make less money off them, but also that ultimately fewer people who could be educated by the videos end up seeing them.
I wish it wasn't this way, but it unfortunately is.
I just feel like I have to point that a CZcams channel host isn’t necessarily a scientist and being a host of a yt channel as a job is a lot more like being an actor than being a scientist, so I wouldn’t say appearance being a factor is discrimination like it would be in a job where your whole job isn’t being the face and voice of something, basically. There certainly should be no reason to choose, like, a lab technician based on appearance or a any other job like it.
Also to add to other comments sadly there are people that suffer from things like basic hygiene standards and may be unkempt, very bad acne and rash breakouts,, holes in clothing, greasy hair etc
You completely misunderstood what he said. He didn't endorse that viewpoint, he said that that is how a lot of the world works and he hates it. Not to be rude to any particular scishow host but they are NOT all supermodels lol. And there are Men, Women and inbetween of all walks of life working as hosts.
Wow this one hour went by fast. Great interview! I really like these kind of interviews mixing the professional and personal side of things.
Vote Hank Green for President. Seriously.
So glad Sofa Science is back. Also Hank Green Yeah!!! Great job Sally Le Page made my Monday.
The definition of success on CZcams coming from a science CZcamsr seemed really interesting to me, since I really haven't heard anything this pragmatic before on CZcams when someone is asked that question.
This is the second Sofa Science I've watched apart from the one with Simon Clark, but I'll be sure to watch all of your videos. Biology isn't my most favourite subject, but I can't wait to watch all of your videos.
Thanks for the amazing #content
this was suuuch a good interview! what amazing questions!
I really enjoyed this interview! Thank you!
This is amazing. Thank you for sharing this fantastic interview
Loved this guys, so nice to chill and listen to!
Yessss
CrashCourse has helped me countless times. Thank you John & Hank you're both awesome. Thank you Sally for making science awesome and fun. May I recommend a Sofa Science with Michael Stevens (Vsauce)?
I can't tell how much I loved Hank but even more now. What a genuinely good person. It was my daughter who introduced me to him and his bro back in the day and , of course, she's a huge fan as well. Thanks for all you do Hank! =D
Hi! I'm a Japanese student at the university. I'm always wondering how people who are not in science major in England think about science communicator. In my country, I think there are not enough scientist who can connect the people who haven't studied science much with scientists. And so we should have more science bridge communicators. As a scientist, how do you think about this problem in England?
American (not from England) here. In general people think that science communicators have an obligation to really understand the science, so there's some stigma against science communicators who have not been formally educated in science.
Hi! This is an old comment, but I wanted to respond with my experience as an American university student. I agree with you that there aren’t many scientists who communicate well, and I love that you’re thinking about this too, even from the other side of the world from me. If we both become scientists, we’ll both learn to connect with people who don’t know what we do and don’t study much science. Best of luck!!
With Applied science.
She is SUCH a good interviewer!!!
Here two years late, still learning new things about hank
That was really nice, I loved watching and hearing this :3
He is a gift! We homeschool super laid back.. he keeps us in the state standards
Hank's socks just tying the whole room together.
I notice that you have timestamps for the questions listed here in the CZcams description, but not in the show notes for the podcast feed. It would be really helpful to have that and/or embed it as MP3 chapters in the file itself.
Got to here (Le Page de Sally; phd/steely-eyed, language buff) from Scishow quiz show and now ... this. I could not be more pleased with "Hank Green Internet sensation" as seen through the questions on the sofa. Profound socio/cultural insight, business acumen and introspective awareness. Nice one. So very very nice. (Anyone else think Mr Green chooses the best sox?? Just saying ... )
One might even say his socks are... Awesome?!
48:00 Glad you two took a few minutes to talk about this. Also your pizza slice socks are on fleek. 🍕🍕🍕
i love being reminded how much of a nerd hank really is
I came here for the Hank and am subbing for the Sally. Thanks for giving me another long-form channel to watch!
Ooooh! It's Sofa Science again! I've missed this!
very funny watching hank try to deal with the statement "i block out the news, its depressing. i can search the news i care about in my own time". really stumped him, and totally took me aback too. incredible wall climbing from mr hank green 💚
the obstacle course she is laying out for him in real time 😭
That's exactly what I do!
I stopped watching TV because of the way the news is fired at us like rockets, and sensational, horrific things take most of the time.
I've curated news sites and sources that cover what I want to know, with honest, thorough reporterss..
I do the same thing, I feel being informed is important but the constant deluge of toxic waste is just not healthy and sometimes I check out mentally for a while and then after a bit look up the least sensational outlets I can find and get caught up on the world events I missed.
So… he’s actually awesome. Not just on his channel, but in person. I hope so many people recognize how cool he is, and his type of works view becomes center stage.
Indeed!
Came here for Hank Green, stayed for your generally great vibes and fun energy.
Beakman and Bill Nye ran concurrently just on different networks, and which ever one you liked more would be the one you'd pick to watch... Though, you could also switch channels during commercials when they were in the same time slot (I think they were slightly different sometimes).
Awesome video! Great questions!
I'm glad I clicked on that video about bananas and subscribed to your channel, there's some great content. And I think while Hank (and John) may have sought power, they use it to make the world a less dark place, and I think that shows they deserve to have it.
This is appearing on my feed again after so many years. I have been blessed by the Algorithm
😎
love all the business questions!
Wait this joke on Sad Boyz goes so deep
It's 11pm and I'm definitely going to fall asleep during this but that's okay I will definitely listen in later
Ignorance is a privilege and thank goodness for people like Hank Green for using his talent, abilities, privileges and heart to make others aware! This is what the world needs more of and less people that rather “escape”.
They had beatman in the UK, he was on TCC. Excellent show
Maybe one day when orrin(sorry i dont know how to spell his name) gets old enough hank can make a vlog show between him and orrin like vlogbros is with him and john. Hank youre my favorite. fantastic podcast!! Patience is a virtue.
I love sci show. The format is perfect.
Very professional non professional video
I am genuinely worried this will raise people's expectations of Sofa Science production quality!
Sally Le Page season 2 live audience may be?
:p
If only this was longer! Flew by in no time haha
I find a supportive, friendly lab culture such an important part of doing research.
Before Bill Nye??? It came out the year after Beakman's World lol. Im 40+ and remember both. And Mr. Wizard.
He just meant that he was out of the target demographic for Bill Nye once it came out! I had a second of thinking the same thing, but he just meant that Beekman was more popular when he was a kid and Bill Nye became popular with kids a little younger than him
@FirstNameBunchANumbers good point, I see what you mean. I'm a couple years younger than Hank, so I get it.
Great interview!
Do a John Green interview! I know he isn't an obvious Sofa Science candidate, but he has written about a fictional drug in TFIOS, and anti-depressants in TATWD. It counts as science writing!
A lot of his anthropocean reviews are science adjacent as well
Ah. Now I understand where Hank's books came from. Great books.
Listening to this while I write a report on Rachel Carson's Silent Spring
Thank you!
I only know Beakman from his appearance on Captain Dissolution. Must have been a wild show.
The irony of zeroing in on this one aspect that he specifically tries to avoid in order to keep the content pure, and making a video title out of it!! 😂 Despite the clickbait, great interview.
Sally you have exactly the same interview Instincts as Alan Alda... A comedian that ended up devoting his life to science communication.
I would love to see you discuss that with him or about him.
Michael Crichton change the direction of my scientific career
That bit about your love of Twitter is so heartbreaking to watch four years later.
Because of Musk?
Not to put him on a pedestal, but Hank is a good example of what kind of human to be. Who is allowed to make cringey videos about nerd crushes and then realize they were cringey and take them down.
I so relate to Hank talking about having to fire people! The first time I had to fire someone, I cried and felt so bad that the employee I was hiring ended up comforting ME! LOL!
Can anyone tell me which character from Red Mars Hank refers to? I don't remember a bio chemist exactly
Pimple popping and wood turning. Sally and Hank out here predicting two wildly popular categories of TikTok videos two years ago
TIL Sally also loves woodturnin vids; theyre such grt background vids for helpin me focus :3
How has CZcams failed me and never showed me this until now?
I didn't even know about that guy - but I agree with basically all of what he says, which is usually a good sign! ;-)
The most important thing that I think he got absolutely right, is with women presenting science:
I find it just soo sad, that there are so few women presenting scientific content, that it *actually* feels weird to see it happen - even more so with technology like computers or other electronics!
It's not weird when you "know" the woman though, so as I have seen your videos of the last couple of years (yes, all 3 of them!), I don't "have to" concentrate on you as a person anymore, and can just enjoy the great content. :-)
OMG HANK GREEN MY KIIING
How can I be dank like you?
Dank Green.
A-maize-ing content...I had to like and subscribe....
Crash course is amazing
First impression: How relaxed Sally seems now. Is this a side effect of completing one journey, or the side effect of beginning another?
I've watched a lot of my friends earn PhDs, and "relaxed" is generally a good description of their post-viva state.
I want to know those Twitter follows too! How can we get a list?
Woah Beakman's World! I'd totally forgotten that show. Very MST3K vibes but science education
Thanx 4 this
Anyone else looking at Hank's socks and hoping that they are the next socks coming through the Awesome Sock Club?!?!
42:00 Tom Scott, VSauce and a few others aren't really VO, but I guess the majority are
Woah! I watched Beakman’s world, too!! Loved it
Well done. A look intoHank’s mind.
this is going to be fun
I loved Beekman. Watched it as often as I could.
Interesting talk. I felt like the name is distracting though. So many topics are covered that are completely disconnected from the name of the video. It made me confused as to what to expect from the video and the need to skip to the part related to video title and then back track for the rest of it. Still, maybe that distracted and confused feeling is just me.
To be fair, Beaker is a wild-haired (assistant) scientist who sometimes appears in the same show as Rizzo the rat.
I loved Beakman's World! And Josie was my first crush!
If it wasn't for this recommendation I would not have noticed that YT had unsubscribed me from this channel. o.0
It will be weird to see kids where their entire lives have been documented and archived in digital media online for strangers to see. Good reason not to put your kids in the content, Hank.
additionally his kid is way too young to give informed consent on whether or not he wants be shown to anybody, much less millions of strangers, on the internet
@@Kelly_C Exactly... sadly kids are often seen as pets or even worse... things by parents :/
I loved Beakman’s World too!
In four years, I hope I'm not the only person to notice Hank's pizzamas socks. Look closely and you will see pepperoni and cheese.
Amazing
5:05 me too . . .
Now I want to know more about raspberry space gas.