Attacked by Squirrels and Neoclassicism: Thoughts from Places, Washington D.C.

[@Velociter]

"Squirrel! I am a threat to you. We are enemies. Please get off my bench... oh God. Oh god! Don't touch me... oh God!!! " - John Green, bestselling author of The Fault in our Stars

[@jennat7419]

+

[@guygeva7375]

+

[@elco9791]

+

[@ShidaiTaino]

+

[@favretheundead]

+

[@WrathOfMega]

"I am a threat to you!" *cowers in fear*

[@Goreuncle]

Notice his right hand while he talks to the squirrel, LOL John was terrified.

[@rebeccaoratto2537]

"I am a threat to you!...Don't touch me!"

[@clarahowson2911]

+

[@TamarZiri]

+

[@FictionWriter95]

I just noticed how John refers to his wife as "The Yeti" when talking about their private interactions but as "Sarah" when discussing her professional work. ❤️

[@scarft.]

Like Augustus vs Gus in TFIOS

[@kelseybisset88]

Omg I've never noticed that that was the rule. I knew he did The Yeti much more often and Sarah sometimes, but that's so sweet and respectful

[@meghanslade4680]

That squirrel was dangerously close. John must be a disney princess

[@favretheundead]

+

[@faryala9041]

+

[@saaargummm1868]

+

[@Hoonter]

Squirrel is inadequately afraid of John. John is over-adequately afraid of squirrel. Makes sense. :P Lol

[@mariacargille1396]

Yeah, it all balances out. :D

[@Mryeo5354]

Yet again the conservation of fear holds

[@tdsims1963]

Squirrels carry diseases. John has every reason for concern.

[@zeerinianu]

I keep coming back to this video for the JohnxSquirrel interaction.

[@teresae9249]

I am still waiting for a friend that will get my reference when we're in a park and I say "this squirrel is inadequately afraid of humans!"

[@K-Boogie7999]

Me too

[@csn583]

I am a threat to you!! Oh go-o-od!

[@feefen]

+

[@Doomsday-yo7lh]

Lone bird, perched atop the Department of Agriculture, thanks for watching over our nation's grain......

[@andrewsugrue2170]

But John said he wouldn't sing anymore!

[@Doomsday-yo7lh]

Andrew Sugrue He lied.

[@stuvs830]

Does this type of singing have a name? It seems to be a thing. I've seen it on "Grace and Frankie" and on "Lady Dynamite" it's charming

[@katydonovan1886]

The greatest vlogbrothers thing I've ever seen to date 😅

[@favretheundead]

+

[@anticurse]

I keep coming back to this video solely for the purpose of watching John and the squirrel be "enemies."

[@aphrog649]

Mumina Ali or the squirrel has rabies

[@beckyr.6522]

As someone who lives in Washington D.C, I can tell you that the buildings get less intimidating with time, but get more confusing. I still can't tell which buildings are libraries and which buildings are government headquarters.

[@narratorprofessor46]

It's been 8 years and I still get John's song about the bird at the department of agriculture stuck in my head at least twice a month

[@avakining]

"Oh, god! Oh, god! Oh, god!"-John Green 2012

[@catherinesvideos156]

Sarah laughing during the squirrel bit is the best part

[@beckiejbrown]

2:19 - I've not seen this video for forever and I forgot about that. That moment had me laughing hysterically. Thank you John.

[@libirose8357]

His seemingly genuine fear of that squirrel will never not entertain me

[@stuvs830]

Rodents with fluffy tails. Do not want in proximity!

[@0music0lvr0]

On the topic of squirrels, the squirrels on my college's campus are super friendly, and someone found one that was practically domesticated and took it back to her dorm room where she kept it for a few days before getting in trouble with the university, and the squirrel was sent to a shelter...a squirrel shelter! We have the cutest squirrels here!! XD

[@fununclenerfs]

"Still mixed." Classic Yeti.

[@scjones25]

"I am a threat to you!" ...the squirrel is unconvinced.

[@evanlinden4410]

This is the first Vlogbrothers video I ever watched, and on the day it was posted. Cadence, intermittently not forgetting to be awesome since October 2012

[@elisajennings999]

John's voice got all adorably high when he was freaking out about the squirrel

[@psychogoldfish100]

"Lone biiiird, perched atop the Department of Agriculture, thanks for watching over our nation's graaiin." ---Yes.

[@avakining]

Wait… as a DC resident, I thought all squirrels were like that…

[@PandaA1257]

One of my former teachers jogs there and he'd always come into class and talk about how the squirrels run after him and how evil they are. Personally, I agree.

[@ElizaCorder]

No, I've never ever ever even heard of a squirrel voluntarily getting that close to a human in my life. I'm from Tennessee if that adds any context.

[@btdpro752]

Same in PA, CA, NJ, and NY

[@frostyskeletons8950]

Squirrels are chill with people in the Pacific Northwest but would never get that voluntarily close

[@evenstarsalldie1311]

In the squirrel scene you sounded like Sheldon from the big bang theory (a television show) and I found that funny.

[@ugottafriend4life]

Mr. Squirrel was only hoping you'd share your popcorn, John. :)

[@akawater]

I cried. I never expected this video to hit me so differently in 2022. 😶

[@sia590]

I just died when he started singing about the bird....

[@polly30]

I watched 0:44-1:00 so many times, it should be a crime.Laughed EVERY single time. John, we love you.

[@LittleSelfia]

It's been 7 and some change years since this video and through all my own rebirths my love for it remains.

[@harrietmilton8397]

When I was in D.C. with my grandmother, brother, and aunt we were constantly joking about how the buildings al seemed to be saying "You are tiny and insignificant! AND DON'T YOU FORGET IT!"

[@abigailbecker9652]

He is more afraid of the squirrel than the squirrel is afraid of him

[@Bee-nw6df]

7 years later and this is still one of my favorite thoughts from places videos💜

[@raginmadmangonecrazy]

Ahh 2012, when optimism for America's future was still a thing.

[@captainjules6033]

CannonFodder64 the good old days.

[@helenjohannesman9165]

I hate to break it to you guys, buuuuttt...

[@frostyskeletons8950]

Oof

[@Nyzackon]

Was it? **Was** it? I think he was just still in denial about the whole project. (Recent years have certainly highlighted the oppressive and bewildering forces of power in the US from throughout history, which somehow grow to do more and more awful things to the world... but none of it is exactly new. There's just a lot less hiding behind "civility" now.)

[@26syntax]

"Squirrel - I am a threat to you!" You gotta say it like you mean it John! Be assertive! Tell that squirrel who's boss!

[@The7wc]

There's one of those fake metal trees at the Nelson-Atkins here in Kansas City and it's SO COOL Also that reaction to the squirrel might be one of the funniest things I've seen in a Vlogbrothers video, which is saying a lot.

[@ellieflynn8549]

as someone from the DC area, all of this is pretty accurate. plus the metro

[@leannehillier7543]

"You are not what I had in mind!" I haven't laughed so hard in a long time.

[@fsleinad1250]

John says that he can't sing, but I've listened to his song at 1:29 over a dozen times now. There is something so inexplicably special about it.

[@megan847]

"Am I wearing skinny jeans? Oh my God I AM."

[@kishuponastar]

I love how John's voice jumps about two octaves when he's being threatened by furry little animals.

[@jillhagen]

Evil Washington monument, unafraid squirrels, and bird songs!? This might be my favorite John video!

[@Caloph]

Oh yay! Love it when people visit my hometown! And yea, the squirrels are not afraid, they fear nothing.

[@OnlyOnline2O1O]

another reason why we love you, John

[@WadjetEye100]

I love how the shot right after John is freaking out about the squirrel is him giving a look scolding the viewer for laughing so hard at it.

[@Goreuncle]

0:43 How can you be afraid of a cute squirrel? What's it going to do? Jump and bite your jugular Monty Python's Holy Grail style? LOL The squirrel isn't inadequately afraid of humans...John is inadequately afraid of squirrels.

[@valeriamassaro5499]

Goreuncle "Inadequately" You keep using that word. I don't think it means what you think it means.. :p :) BTW, I'm not trying to be pedantic here. Just making an observation. I think you mean (in John's case) either excessively or irrationally. :p

[@Mr22thou]

How can such fear of squirrels bode well for the future of America? I am afraid, very afraid.

[@sydh.8699]

To be honest, John is afraid of a lot things. I wouldn't be too worried...

[@sydh.8699]

That was a funny video! But not as funny as "Frog hoppin with Gatsby" JingerVBer24

[@thebraintheretard7535]

I love how high your voice went when you said "OH GOD"

[@BaggyMcPiper]

I like what Ai Weiwei stands for, but I really can't get behind destroying priceless historical artifacts like that.

[@alexjohnson8652]

Then you not thinking hard enough.

[@BaggyMcPiper]

I'm sorry?

[@Turboweeel]

Jada Xie Post Cultural Revolution though it does feel a bit bad, man.

[@alexjohnson8652]

You know not what good grammar or good art is. So, please descend from your high horse.

[@PIKE1842]

If you have all of the pieces then it isn't really destroyed merely re-imagined since the shape does not define the historic significance. Everything historical is still there, a new event has just been added to the significance of the object.

[@NaderAmmar]

89 tour buses disliked this video.

[@aditichandak5054]

+Vegeta Scouter make that 94 now ;)

[@NaderAmmar]

Aditi Chandak those damn tour buses

[@rachelisagrapefruit]

This will always be one of my favorite thoughts from places videos

[@elizabethanneczerney5638]

JOHN IN SKINNY JEANS *fangirls* John's girly scream next to that squirrel... Haha

[@ellalevad5104]

We have the boatcars in Seattle too. The're called Ducks and hey take tours of downtown and the Space Needle.

[@number1fan799]

I remember the worst thing about the duck bus was the Wacky Quackers, which are kazoos shaped as a duck bill. Those were so annoying.

[@ellalevad5104]

number1fan Definitely my family used to go on the Ducks ever summer and my little brother would constantly quack them all the time afterwards

[@penina8438]

Oh gosh I visited my aunt and uncle in Seattle this summer and it was awesome except my uncle really wanted to go on the ducks for some reason (mind you I'm 19). Afterwards we were all like why did we just do that

[@saramartins95]

i just love how hank just goes from silliness and laughter and part crazy, to some really deep thoughts and vice-versa

[@HoboDrell]

I just love the squirrel part.

[@Aldo_raines]

From here in 2020, the phrase “... the United States is just getting started” seems overly optimistic.

[@dawnk777]

You brought back memories of my 1978 trip to Washington, DC. So long ago, but a lot of that hasn't changed.

[@marthadineen565]

I just love the fluid jumps squirrels make when I watch them from a few feet away. Put me beside one THAT close and my fellow commenters, we have ourselves a human- squirrel stare down to a certain extent (I stare, he just swivels his little head, petrifying me in the process).

[@theturniptress805]

I too, love all animals. But from a distance.

[@Panndia]

"This squirrel is adequately afraid of humans!" Laugh so freakin hard!

[@campbellschickennoodlesoup]

I can now officially say that I have stood exactly where you have stood! You can't believe how much emotion this gives me! You are my hero John Green. Don't forget to be awesome!

[@EllaIngram]

saw the title and thought "So, phil isn't the only person to get attacked by a squirrel" XD

[@ninamarie177]

When my mum and I were in London we sat on a bench in Hyde park reading. A squirrel sat on our bench but left us alone, so we weren't bothered by it. However, when we got up to get to the airport it jumped at my mum and a bunch of French children laughed at us.

[@sanjivanimandloi4843]

phangirl nerdfighter! yaaasss. found one! :)

[@EllaIngram]

+Sanjivani Mandloi Yep :P

[@raven2269]

Yes Phangirl Nerdfighter!!!!

[@andrewnguyen4022]

One does not walk around Washington DC so much as the squirrels allows it.

[@Bea_Esser]

This is one of my top 5 Vlogbrothers videos primarily because of John's interaction with the squirrel that is inadequately afraid of humans!

[@SystemOfStrings]

Yep, that's Washington squirrels...

[@amiablehacker]

I feel like Sheldon Cooper would have reacted similarly to that squirrel.😂

[@beckarkottke]

Oh my! This video has so many excellent John Green moments. First the squirrel, then the Lone Bird Song. I had to pause the video there and dry my laughter induced tears.

[@scholar5212]

When John tried to intimidate the squirrel by saying "I am a threat to you", I think it would have been a bit more convincing if he wasn't simultaneously cowering in fear.

[@traviswessels5814]

He's useless afraid of a squirrel

[@zack42187]

John Green, you should research Neoclassicism a bit more. It isn't all imposing religious forts. Neoclassicism is a product of the Enlightenment, A physical manifestation of the philosophies, aesthetics and sciences of that time. It may seem formal to a level of stuffiness, but it's really so much more.

[@hpandstarkid4evr]

This was my first vlogbrothers video. I know I came 1000 and something videos late, but I'm okay with that. One of the best parts of Nerfighteria is that it's still growing and there's new nerdfighters every day. Since watching this video, I experienced my first P4A, started commenting on videos and marathoned all of the vlogbrothers videos. I'm just so grateful for what this community has given me.

[@Zsaisse]

I really have to remember taking my headphones off or turn the volume down when I watch a Vloggbrothers video because I occasionally get a throbbing feeling in my ears when I hear the shouts full of awesome from the nerdfighters.

[@misplacedgirl]

This is truly one of the funniest and most thoughtful videos on the internet. I mean where else are you gonna find a guy singing to a bird, freaking out over a squirrel, and finish it with a really thoughtful else. Vlogbrothers, that's where.

[@MichelleHaysvlog]

I love when you narrate your travels. These are my favorite style videos.

[@tiffsewcrafty]

That's so cool! I spent the summer in DC for a reporting internship, and I thought the exact same things about the structures there. How the Washington monument and Congress stare at each other. It's just really neat to think that all the places you walked around in are also all the places I ran around in search of interviews.

[@tovekauppi1616]

Hank reminded me that this video is a thing in his latest video so I had to come back and enjoy the squirrel scene😅

[@LluxDdarcy]

man you and hank are so intelligent i could listen to you talk all day.

[@emmaem28]

Ahhhh, the tunnel with the lights in the National Gallery of Art at 3:05 is what I wrote one of my college essays on! I live right outside of DC, and that has always been my favorite part of the city. John Green loves what I love.

[@taylorlott9121]

I'm fairly certain this was my first vlogbrothers video. Strange to think how far Ive come into the community in such a short time

[@321coolbananas]

so I'm watching the video and I realize that the empty field with the merry-go-round next to it WAS THE PLACE WHERE THEY HELD THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PEACE CORPS WHICH I ATTENDED (because my parents are hippies and I've been raised in foreign places and such) AND SO I WAS LIKE AHHH I WAS STANDING IN THE SAME PLACE JOHN GREEN LATER STOOD WHERE IS THE FRAKKIN PARADE.

[@alycats94]

Firstly, the World War II Memorial and the Korean War Memorial are my favorite memorials. The Korean War one is eerie but impressive at night. Secondly, as you discovered, the squirrels in D.C. are fearless creatures. They only love you for your food. Thirdly, if you go to the Wisconsin Dells, you can ride in one of the Ducks (the boat-cars), and they take you through the water. It's fun. Lastly, that carousel in the last part of the video is the reason my tour group was late to our next stop.

[@123456789abcdefg432]

I simply love how Hank advertises John's video.

[@StarsOfCassiopeia]

You were incredible to listen to at Bookfest! Thanks for signing my Sing-a-ma-jig, and giving me faith in my musical abilities. DFTBA!

[@vicpeck6509]

“Lone biiiiird, perching atop the department of agriculturrre, thanks for watching over our nation’s grainsss”

[@Ford_prefect_42]

"I'm a threat to you" he said in a shakey soprano

[@TheWordsSpeak]

The jingle about the bird on the department of agriculture building was most definitely the highlight of this video.

[@Buhnessuh13]

John, you are one of my favorite human beings, ever. And I havent even meet you before. Your awesome. Just wanted to say that, and thanks.

[@Kindredsgirl]

I love it when you sing, John!!! the song of the Lone Bird was excellent!

[@beckymaki8947]

"You are not what I had in mind."

[@HannahKay2012]

Cool to watch this after the most recent Thoughts from Places where you visit the exhibit at Sarah's museum. Thoughts from Places are my favorite, closely followed by Question Tuesday (even when they're not on Tuesday).

[@shabnomnom]

i had to pause the video while you were showing footage the inside of the national gallery and have a moment of "I LOVE THAT PLACE SO MUCH" flailing ~

[@LiiMuRi]

I visited Washington DC this summer during a road trip across the US. I took a nap under a tree at the National Mall, almost right in front of the Department of Agriculture.

[@getbacktowork2729]

Me: Wow look at that, I would love to go there Also me: lives no more than 15 minutes away from all those monuments and museums

[@laurennicole04]

John, you will never stop singing on this channel, no matter how many times you say you will.

[@rodoh22]

If History is interpeting how situations were and were acted out, "Mixed Feelings" is almost always the correct response, nice video

[@kcb1995]

I can't even tell you how many times I watched that part, I lost track. IT NEVER GET'S OLD

[@Slytherin1821]

It's so weird to see John filming my home. I was in the audience at the NBF, I've seen all the monuments and memorials he went to, I have an undying love for the Smithsonians, and I grew up getting free rides on the carousel he filmed at the end.

[@xuxagirl87]

You handled that squirrel SOOO much better than I would have... also thank you for the stream of thought concerning the trajectory of our country.

[@swanmonkeyastronaut]

Most (all?) museums in the UK are free, which makes for wonderfully inexpensive (and enlightening!) day trips. It also makes museums good shelters from the ever-present rain and wind where my family lives in Scotland. Loved the squirrel!

[@foreverfivefoot]

Thoughts from places, you give me thoughts while I am in other places. Beautiful thoughts.

[@lem0nstho]

The fact I have been in one of those boat-cars in DC and still have the duck call they gave me makes me happy.

[@kayisforkivlen]

I went to D.C. for a school trip. There were somethings that were really awesome but our entire day was so rushed. You couldn't enjoy something for more than 3 minutes before moving onto the next museum. I cant wait to go back with just friends :)

[@berrypierces]

John you are giving me DC lust. It's been over a year since I visited and I still miss it :(

[@WrittenButNotRead]

I like how the last shot has a carousel in it. (Subtle reference to Catcher in the Rye maybe?)

[@aabbishduaa1417]

Ah all of the videos on this vlog make me happy.