Trump is Abnormal, It's His Superpower

[@sha2424]

every time something ridiculous like this happens my brain is like "what is this spectacle distracting us from"

[@notbenh]

this x 1000

[@Souljahna]

@Shannon Dean: Me too! and in this instant I think it's distracting us from the more serious issue of climate change.

[@Rainebowes]

Souljahna or him being on a golf course after calling off the poland visit for the commemoration the beginning of wwii to help and respond to dorian.

[@gavman8]

Yupppp! I honestly feel like he has an old school 80's cartoon group of villainous advisors who just go "alright Trumpy, we're being devious this week, do something ridiculous to distract" and he just always delivers.

[@Julia_and_the_City]

+

[@meredithblack8360]

My history teacher once described this feeling as "outrage fatigue"

[@monkiram]

I'm curious what context your teacher used the term to describe

[@meredithblack8360]

@@monkiram When the Mueller report was first released with all the blacked out sections I remember expressing how I just couldn't bring myself to do all the research to understand it. I was getting ready to quit the social internet (following John's example) and I told him I couldn't handle feeling like the world was about to end every other day because of a tweet from the president, and having to contribute to the one-sided conversations and shout my incredibly woke opinion into the void...it was just exhausting. He told me it was outrage fatigue.

[@gorrillawarfair]

@@monkiram another example, i used to check trumps twitter everyday to see what stupid shit he had to say that day. Then i stopped because its almost a guarantee he will say something stupid everyday and attention is what he feeds off.

[@Gallzatron]

Your history teacher is literally a liberal shill. It's disgusting

[@phatdookie4207]

@@Gallzatron anyone who calls out someone for being a "liberal shill" with such a small amount of context is obviously a "conservative shill". Or you're just a troll and that is disgusting. Reevaluate Your Life Kid, we only get one, do you really just want to leave a bunch of dumpster fires to be remembered by?

[@TheImaginaryStar]

Hank this is an excellent video and you should be proud of yourself and your ability to convey complex thoughts with such clarity.

[@Baby_boodle]

Especially so concisely and well-thought-out.

[@Garrett_Bear_Stap]

He didn't though.

[@Baby_boodle]

What's your take on it, Garrett?

[@Garrett_Bear_Stap]

People in Alabama and state officials there did have evacuations and told people to be prepared. Trump just wanted to include them as well. The media is doing what makes them money by spinning things to sound more interesting to get more viewers. That is their job. Its not even fake news anymore its just entertainment. There has been a strong level of coverage about this small thing for 4 days now and ive heard more "news" about this then news about the damage from the hurricane it self.

[@Baby_boodle]

That's fair! Makes sense, and the media definitely has a good way of doing that. I'll keep that in mind, thanks.

[@someone3821]

the last time i clicked that fast on a vid... was tuesday

[@luciferangelica]

i was reluctant, because, you know

[@someone3821]

@@luciferangelica sry, i don't get what you're saying

[@luciferangelica]

@@someone3821 that's ok, i'm used to it. i'm very misunderstood

[@someone3821]

@@luciferangelica no, it's not your fault. english is only my 3rd language, so i don't understand everything...

[@luciferangelica]

@@someone3821 you wouldn't've gotten it if english was your first. it was some weird meta shit

[@stabilitysis]

He is a reality TV star. Any type attention/controversy is good for him .

[@thespian302]

He's the president of the United States. Perhaps you mean "He used to be a reality TV star so in his mind any attention is good for him, since that's how he is used to thinking"

[@AndyMoranPhoto]

@@thespian302 This implies the TV show he was a part of has somehow just left him when he became president. Like, *poof*, decades worth of show business and publicity and lavish lifestyle simply left him the moment he became the 45th president of the united states of america. which is, of course, complete nonsense and the exact opposite of what actually happened. He is very literally still the reality tv star he's always been, he just happens to be doing his job not behind in a writers room, but behind the resolute desk in the oval office.

[@lilianahudler4378]

@@thespian302 oh please. Donald Trump is and always will be a reality TV star. Can you really look at the way he acts and not think that he's still in that mode?

[@cjc363636]

Yep, with a bit of pro wrestler thrown in for good measure!

[@allthenewsordeath5772]

ohthreefiftyone “ i’ve starred in so many mediums, the only medium left to me as real life, and what’s the starring role of earth, el presidentai Magnifica de Americanos!” Donald J Trump, June 13th 2015

[@theawesomesaucelady9]

The crazy thing is that he has been abnormal so much it has become normal - giving more leeway to make abnormal decisions in the future

[@vlogbrothers]

Not just to him, but to lots of future leaders. It's legit scary.

[@TornadoADV]

@@KyleTranel I brace myself every time somebody suggests rights and healthcare for illegals.

[@javkhlantugstugsbayar]

I mean you have New York passing a law to accept abortion AFTER birth, so im not so sure about Trump normalizing abnormal. I think you guys were already crazy and just hadnt realized it yet

[@theholyhay1555]

Javkhlantugs Tugsbayar its honestly politicians and parties at this time that they are total morons, like who the hell did we elect, your brother from Lebanon also like to say yeah, everyone in the political seats these days are total morons

[@prankhan3097]

Javkhlantugs Tugsbayar “The RHA removes abortion from the state’s penal code altogether; the homicide statute still defines a “person” as “a human being who has been born and is alive.” Killing a baby once born was and is still considered a homicide.” Don’t spread misinformation. You’re better than that.

[@jadednightwing]

It kinda feels like the county is in a toxic relationship with a narcissist....

[@AlbertaGeek]

Sorry, but no "kind of" about it. Our deepest sympathies, from Canada.

[@partlycurrent]

@@AlbertaGeek Honestly, everyone outside the us thinks he's a bafoon :D Luckily we have normal Presidents/Chancellors/PMs

[@AlbertaGeek]

@@partlycurrent To be fair, most people inside the U.S. also think he's a buffoon.

[@Dillon-117]

@@partlycurrent Unless you're in Britain. You would have Boris Johnson, the British version of Trump.

[@karinbroberg2124]

+++++

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Hurricane Sharpie is gonna hit sweet home Alabama, a sub hurricane of Dorian

[@velvetgrimm]

Yeah, but its like Austin Powers blowing up the moon..."would ya miss it?"

[@JohnE9999]

Too bad you're a moron, like Hank.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

JohnE9999 It’s called a joke, guess who’s the moron now?

[@Gamenetreviews]

Cuban Americans are my favorite Hispanics

[@ccrozz99]

:)

[@sarawauer5968]

As an aviation meteorologist, who routinely produces charts for military flight operations, the precedence has been set: All forecasts verify 100%, with the assistance of my new best friend Sharpie!! Guessing it won't work too well on a computer screen, but why not give it a try!! :)

[@gr3nn345]

Sara Wauer A lot of meteorologists that I work with sided with the president on a lot of issues, and recently because of the lies he’s been spreading about Alabama and the doctoring of the forecast they have started to realize that he has been covering a lie with another lie over and over again.

[@sarawauer5968]

@@gr3nn345 Yes, I am waiting for that in my circles, though supporters seem to be quiet, rather than contemplative. I have never been a fan of the current administration, to say the absolute least. Many meteorologists do not want to really admit the difference between weather and climate, and do not have the capability to step away from climate change issues, which also bleeds into their political ideology. It makes me sad. I work with many other nations, in my current role, and I am at a loss to defend the things I hear and see, when asked "what is going on in America?" It makes me sad that this behavior and rhetoric is considered remotely acceptable. But, I will keep trying to keep my aviation personnel and assets safe, in the least safe of places, because that is my little way, for now, of making the world a smidge better. No Sharpie needed. Though, for the record, I have no ill-will toward Sharpies! They are magic!

[@shyguymalta]

(hears the York Peppermint Patty analogy) (looks at the Snickers wrappers in my car) LALALA I CAN'T HEAR YOU!

[@thisisnancybot]

shyguymalta M&ms for me

[@shyguymalta]

@@thisisnancybot that's cuz you're a bot duh

[@Tim3.14]

I learned recently that ice cream Snickers bars have the same number of calories as regular full-size Snickers. And they're bigger, too! They look more like king-size. So somehow they replaced the most boring part of the Snickers (the nougat) with ice cream, made the whole thing bigger, and didn't add a single calorie. At any rate, our president is a buffoon, but at least this crazy universe isn't all bad.

[@safir2241]

Snickers are cancer for the body. All sugary trash my dude

[@heatherbee41]

Same...but with cinnamon fire jolly ranchers.

[@mvwinf]

I’m in Brussels for the semester, working at a political news site, and I haven’t heard ANYTHING about this until this moment. If that tells you anything about how important this is. (Also the York wrappers are a mood)

[@vathek5958]

Madi Sounds really cool! Politico Europe?

[@mvwinf]

Vathek Yup! It’s been a dream so far, ngl 🥰

[@hansakkerman2611]

A no-deal Brexit weighing heavily on us all.

[@luguy8347]

Madi Trump is America and America is Trump. They reflect one another. Am from Canada, so we get a lot of their consumption of the self absorb. Surreal, and not funny when one sees other world leaders under the radar, compromise into furthering their interest while everyone is distracted. Russia in Africa now, North Korea etc. Trump opens the flood gates of evil and we look the other way. So, you might be a busy person, real life is still moving forward.

[@Cudgeon]

I am from europe too, we hear about it all the time.

[@chocfudgebrowni]

Not related to the video at all but this is the first time you've uploaded while I'm awake (hello from Australia!) So while there's the off chance you'll read this, I just wanted to say thanks for being awesome and your work has made my life objectively better ♡

[@vlogbrothers]

Hey, thanks!

[@fabes89]

There are two reasons for which Trump might have made the flub (given the time he made the comment, it was objectively incorrect to say that Alabama was still in the track). 1. He legitimately just mis-spoke (or mis-tweeted?), and included Alabama in the list because well, Alabama is one of the states that borders Florida, it just happens to border Florida on the wrong side of Florida to have been relevant at that time. 2. He had been briefed daily about the path of Dorian, and during one of those briefings, probably a few days before and therefore not relevant at the time of the tweet, someone mentioned that it was possible that Dorian would cross Florida after landfall between Cape Canaveral and Miami and end up in the Gulf before making its turn to the north, thus possibly impacting the Panhandle of Florida and/or Alabama. Trump, remembering this detail included Alabama in his list of possible threats about 2-3 days too late for it to still be relevant. Either way, it doesn't matter. Because a President who cares about the people more than his own image would respond to criticism on this flub by simply saying something like "Alabama is no longer at risk for any impact from this storm". And the rest of us would have made absolutely no sort of deal out of any of this. Even if he didn't recognize the mistake, just clarifying that, no Alabama is not at risk and moving on. But instead - he chose "[[explain why I was right and the whole world was wrong]]; but Alabama is no longer at risk...." And when early stories came up about the flub - I shrugged it off; because I have been following Dorian closely since early last week and I remember people on the Weather Channel, Tropical Tidbits, and elsewhere speaking about the real possibility of the storm traversing Florida before making its northward turn. It was possible. It wasn't "the most likely scenario"; but it was possible. So the fact that it wasn't possible still when he made the comment on twitter; was just something I shrugged off. It wasn't that big of a deal. But here we are; almost a week later. And we're still talking about this. Because our President just

[@LuinTathren]

Brilliant response! Very accurate. This is why every vote matters.

[@IceMetalPunk]

"Post truth reality"... this makes me so incredibly sad and scared. Because I fully understand what you mean and that it's, well, true. And a world in which truth is subjective is an incredibly dangerous world.

[@randyralls9658]

Or, it's all fake, and you are preoccupied with fictitious characters.

[@blacksmith67]

I think that you have struck a deeper issue with the observation that, given an identical set of ‘facts,’ people with different priorities and perspectives can correctly derive very divergent conclusions. That said, I would point out that Trump cancelled his trip to Poland in order to closely monitor the progress of Dorion. The Alabama flub was probably just a brain fart, but one way or another it betrays either Trump’s motive for cancelling his trip (as if two days of golf hadn’t already done that) or his ability to retain important details (if he actually was trying to stay apprised of the storm track). I don’t care, but his steadfast refusal to not counter punch every single time is characteristic of far deeper personality issues that even his most ardent supporters can’t continue to reasonably deny.

[@Gam3B0y23r0]

people believe what they like..

[@garou1911]

We're a nation of 2 year olds having keys jangled in front of us and we're perfectly fine with focusing on the keys while the doctor inserts the needle.

[@secularmonk5176]

Not the best analogy, since those needles usually contain stuff the baby refuses to acknowledge are good for them.

[@evilsharkey8954]

More like little fish staring at the pretty glowing light in front of the angler fish’s toothy maw.

[@zombiebros8138]

Watching today with hindsight is really something else.

[@AnarchyPenguin]

If Trump just casually said that he misspoke I think at least 60% of the stories about him wouldn’t exist. It seems like every story about him (that isn’t about terrible policy decisions and their impacts) is about him misspeaking or telling an easily proven lie and then doubling down on it for some reason. Like he misspoke and called a CIA agent DJ instead of CJ which is fine, but in the same sentence he immediately doubled down and said DJ or CJ he said call me either or something to that end and it just confuses me to no end

[@danielbachiu]

I remember back in the good 'ol days where , as a Canadian, I only heard about something the President did like maybe 5 times A YEAR. And you're right, now it's more like at least once or twice a week. So next year I really hope you guys elect someone who will at least be quiet if not genuinely good. 👍

[@monkiram]

Same here. As the November 2016 election date drew near, I was so relieved that soon we'd stop hearing about this man. I never expected that instead, we'd hear about him constantly for 4 more years, and maybe even 8 if things keep going the way they've been going 😩I don't hear about Canadian politicians even HALF this much, and they're the ones actually relevant to us

[@kenbarker5946]

@施亮 Ummm....Canadians live on that street. In our system, the party that wins the most seats gets to form government and the leader of that party becomes the PM...that can result in the popular vote going one way, and the actual government being formed differently. Even more likely when you factor in the fact we have more than 2 political parties, and they can form voting alliances in the house, etc. Might be a shitty voting system, but it works well enough....most of the other options have their own faults and problems anyway.

[@BertGrink]

@@kenbarker5946 I don't know where you live, but you just described the Danish system :)

[@ThousandTimesBefore]

Even here in Switzerland he's on national news almost DAILY. I mean, c'mon!

[@duartemonteiro9459]

@施亮 I mean...would she be any better?

[@drewbryk]

I am a professional forecaster (not weather, financial). Everyone makes mistakes. What separates bad analysts from good isn't mistakes. It's accountability. Your job is to tell the truth to the people who need to hear it. Even if they don't want to hear it. Even if you screwed up and it makes you look like an idiot. What we're seeing from the President is a total lack of accountability. And the fish will rot from the head..

[@papalosopher]

I almost didn't click on this video but I haven't missed a Vlogbrothers video in 11 years and I'll be darned if I will let that guy in the Oval Office prevent me from keeping the streak alive. And... it was brilliant.

[@paulmurphy6449]

It's not a bug, it's a feature...Bwhahaha!

[@petercarioscia9189]

Correct. Took y'all long enough to figure it out XD

[@awsmguy175]

i love aaron from re-education!!

[@sockthief9138]

Is this Bethesda?

[@ChiliDUDE27]

@Lady Mercy He'd certainly like everyone to think that, wouldn't he?

[@nvwest]

I do wonder. Don’t think the attention is the goal. Just the means. But then what is the goal?

[@yushbhattarai3018]

HANK GREEN HAS FINALLY LOST PATIENCE OVER THE TRUMP ADMIN......

[@Baby_boodle]

He's done this throughout his whole life, if I had to guess. It's impressive how well it takes the heat off other important issues.

[@kairon156]

To me it's more disturbing than impressive.

[@Baby_boodle]

Disturbingly impressive!

[@kairon156]

@@Baby_boodle I'll go along with that.

[@untappedinkwell]

I wonder how much of this intersects with the definition of gaslighting, because attempting to control a narrative in writing is just fiction, but trying to do it to real life people and lying all the time (but insisting that you're always right, even when we have the receipts) is basically textbook gaslighting.

[@carmel3532]

This is exactly the definition of gaslighting. This is exactly what it is like to be around someone who is gaslighting you. It is exhausting to be constantly fighting to define reality for yourself. It is much easier to accept the reality being sold to you and try to gain status within that reality, even if that goal is impossible. If the victim ever realizes what was done to them, they then have to examine every idea they have, big or small, to see if it was real or just another lie. Is there anything harder than that? With gaslighting, even the "good times", the victories, are lies and the victim is left with nothing, no foundation for their reality. It hurts. I can't hate Trump's base because I've been there. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. No one deserves to be manipulated like this.

[@briangarrow448]

Trump's mistake isn't important by itself. It's the PATTERN that concerns me.

[@safir2241]

Kevin I asked the question when I was like 5 years old lmao

[@Garrett_Bear_Stap]

@@SilasVanBuren that was satire. Dont be silly.

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

@@Garrett_Bear_Stap Can we even tell anymore?

[@Garrett_Bear_Stap]

@@eldorados_lost_searcher if you are not brain washed by the media you can. Go watch the vid where he said that. People like you and brian watch a spun news story or get their opinion from a late night tv comedy who is telling a joke for views.

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

@@Garrett_Bear_Stap I've seen it. I've seen stuff like this going back to literally day two of the administration, where it was said that President Trump attracted the largest crowd for his inauguration. It was demonstrably false, to no purpose. I'm tired. I'm fed up. And he just keeps going, making easily-proven false statements. And I'll be honest, I wasn't a fan of President Obama. I liked President G. W. Bush. But this president is so toxically full of himself that I'd take *President Buchanan* in the Oval Office again. And that guy literally did as little as possible to avoid the Civil War. I'm sorry that you feel that he's being treated unfairly, but President Trump is his own worst enemy, and he's forcing his party to conform to his will, to the detriment of the entire country.

[@Seth9809]

Why was this recommend to me today of all days? "Everyone has to be loyal to him" "One where he is always right." Oh.

[@mythserene]

Agreed. People are trying to dissect some technical reason to explain why this is collectively freaking us out, but like you, I think it’s because this particular glimpse into his subconscious is terrifying. I wouldn’t let anyone who can’t just say OOPS! be the designated driver of a frat house kegger, let alone drive an entire country. And somehow this does not feel like a small thing. It feels threatening, like the blood red on a black widow’s abdomen. Maybe we instinctively understand that fear of mistakes means fear of learning, or maybe it’s just the desperate insecurity of this spectacle acted out in front of the whole world. But identifying it as simply abnormal is a hella helpful start. And a relief of sorts. Thanks.

[@tt-qh3kj]

Soo.. are we going talk about Bill Clinton's recently deceased friend having a large panting of him in drag hanging in his Living room.?

[@xSilverEchox]

As a meteorologist and someone who specializes in tropical weather, I think the biggest problem here is that this whole thing is a distraction from the actual reality of the storm. By focusing on past weather products instead of current ones, he's drawing attention and headlines away from the landfall in the Carolinas. Meteorologists have a hard enough time communicating to the public the impacts of a storm. This whole Alabama fiasco isn't making things any easier.

[@writerconsidered]

Can you explain this bazaar upload by the LA times? kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3S1ZH6eZ8R1jsk

[@SuchiththaW]

Hank, I've always considered John my favorite Green brother - he always seems to get me. But you've just articulated my feelings on this so, so very clearly. Thank you for that. Its good to hear this from you. Comforting, almost, if it weren't for the context. Maybe, for a brief moment, it has been comforting. See you on Friday.

[@GarrettRobinson]

There's a lot to love about this video, but I'd particularly like to thank you for giving me the word "abnormal" as the best descriptor for him I plan to use in the future. When people describe (or, let's face it, complain about) Trump, they often do it in kind of crappy ways. Calling him "insane" or talking about his weight, or whatnot. What matters most is that he's abnormal. In the worst possible way, and in an ever-increasing way. That's what we should focus on, that's what needs to be recognized and fixed, if possible. So thanks, Hank!

[@Uriel238]

I think it's telling that he can't let this one go. Our president has been posting and talking about the Dorian-hitting-Alabama thing long after the Sharpie moment, when there are so many other ways he could be retaining the center of attention, so he ends up looking super defensive about his original mention of Alabama. It gnaws on him in ways that so many other things do not.

[@ArtOfLifeX]

"One where he is the ultimate and only savior, one where everyone has to be loyal to him or else, and one where e is always right" fundamentally a dictatorship

[@breaksfiend]

Finally, you're understanding politics instead of reacting to them. This is the most sense that you have made in years. Please, keep it up so I can return to enjoying your videos. -Fan who has been subscribed since your first year on KZbin and participated in the first Nerd Power thumbnail extravaganza.

[@ElizabethTheJedi]

The way Hank describes Trump's mind makes me think of that one moment in SpongeBob. Patrick: "The inner machinations of my mind are an enigma." *Shows milk carton falling over and spilling milk all over the table*

[@Barblooms]

Thank you for verbalizing this THING that causes me so much angst. Every time I try to explain it, or talk about it, or even think about it, I get so frustrated I can’t string enough words together to make a coherent sentence. I am a political junkie who, in the course of this term, has almost completely checked out because the total insanity of what is reported from The Oval. THIS. This is what I’ve been trying to say.

[@appointmenteer]

Remember when we were worrying about this six months ago?

[@Bricksauce_Engineering]

I love your videos, the scientific knowledge you share is great. It's especially great when it's put into bite sized portions the way you have, while maintaining the quality and accuracy of what is being talked about. All that being said, while you have all the right to say what you'd like on your channel I'd just like to let you know how much I had appreciated your channel not being political very often until I saw this video. I'm in no ways saying this to oppose what you're saying in this video only that a lot of people, myself included, come to watch your videos because of the knowledge you're putting out there, not the political rabble that seems to be everywhere nowadays. We come to places like this not to hear the political bull going on but to escape it. If you end up reading this, thank you. keep up the great work you've been doing on all of the channels you appear on. Much love.

[@TheBlackestKey]

Idk where it originates, but ive heard of an old curse "may you live through interesting times." And all I can say is "YEP *cring face*"

[@mikahkilgore4972]

I read that in Terry Pratchett’s Disc World series

[@42Mrgreenman]

I think I know what's going on in Trumps head, everything he says...my grandmother is also like this where she has no inner monologue or self-awareness, it's just not present. My grandmother will literally never stop talking to you if you let her because she vocalizes every thought that crosses her mind. Trump's got the business man persona and some of the rhetorical tricks nailed down but like my grandmother (who grew up on a farm in the 30's) never learned any critical thinking or deconstruction skills so he never talks to himself in his head. It could also just be a glitch in brain chemistry, but it's eerily similar when you talk to my grandma, she's just way more boring than Trump....

[@michaelrobichaud9252]

For me, the issue isn't so much he drew on the map. It's tat he drew on a map that was several days out of date. He was spreading an alarm after the potential for danger had passed.

[@jeffc5974]

I agree he likes the spotlight, but I think this episode is more about his other defining feature: He can't be wrong. He's never been wrong in his entire life, and anyone who corrected him was fired so he could continue being right. The Washington Post has kept track of his lies that is over 12,000 last I saw, but every one of those was something that he thought was the truth, at least at the time he said it.

[@abdulaziz-kt5ih]

Nice timing for this recommendation

[@Tralfazz74]

My heart ❤️ was so happy to scroll down, and see the comment section having discussions instead of insults or arguments. Thank you, everyone, who's participating in mankind's betterment

[@Uriel238]

Also relevant: Lindsay Ellis' discussion of why we don't remember anything about the first Transformers movie.

[@pendlera2959]

Yup. Too much to focus on means you can't focus on anything.

[@evilsharkey8954]

Huh? I remember lots about the first Transformers movie. Maybe because it was the “best” of them.

[@jliller]

I see a lot of comments along the lines of "what is this controversy and spectacle intended to distract us from" and I'm doubtful that's a question with an answer. Trump distracts and obfuscates to cover things up, but he also does it as part of his standard behavior. He wants to keep the attention on him whether there's something to cover up or not.

[@alarcon99]

The thing that blows my mind the most is that not only does he lies but then he doubles down on the clearly demonstrable lie. We need to get him out on 2020

[@ReaderViaNil]

you need someone to run against him and win, not just get him out

[@General12th]

@@ReaderViaNil Yes, we need a new President who's actually good, not just someone who's better than Mr. Trump.

[@_Thoughtful_Aquarius_]

What blows my mind is that you most likely supported the Clinton's, and totally believed everything that they said. 😵

[@chris-hayes]

To be fair, media was also choosing to make a big deal out of this. My US politics professor made a great point about this. The Huffington Post had they're homepage filled with an article about "sharpie-gate" or w/e, meanwhile Fox had the Obama's looking at a million dollar house as their frontpage story. Neither were focusing on, you know, the big hurricane?! In the internet age, many media outlets are only driven by stories that get clicks, it's no wonder we ended up with a president that basks in this attention. I'm not a fan of Trump, but in a way, he's a symptom of a problem more than anything.

[@melodyplatz3159]

“When strategy is ‘Be abnormal for the sake of attention’ the only thing you can do is realize it and vote it out every time.” Thanks, Hank.

[@philomathstudies9226]

Coming back to this in September of 2020 like "God pls bring back sharpie gate".

[@HI1804]

This video made me realize something else inadvertently, while Trump almost always uses his influence to glorify himself, John and Hank almost always using their influence to share things they care about and things that are important, and they do this while pointing out that they do not have the solutions to these problems but constantly speak of how if we all worked together we could fix them, but what i think really underlines these differences is how when John was asked the meaning of life he said," other people."

[@chocfudgebrowni]

+

[@ILoFoSho]

+

[@synone4013]

Thanks Hank! I have been trying to come up with a way to describe these observations and I think you got it spot on.

[@jamesbruce1975]

I think that our infatuation with the media coverage of politicians isn't always healthy but what worries me more... is that someone changed the map... If it was Trump, that s just someone who doesn't like to be wrong (says a lot). If it was someone on his staff, well that is worrying because they are in effect changing facts to fit the narrative... food for thought.

[@NightKitchenQueen]

Hank, you deserve ALL the "Likes" for this post. The most succinct interpretation of the Resident's motivations and behaviors. Thanks for boiling it down. You rock.

[@nathaliaduarte850]

Here in Brasil our president is using the same strategy, but daily.

[@randyralls9658]

Maybe he is just a TV character also😉

[@somniad]

I found this video again, a year later. Still relevant. Thank you.

[@alexixeno4223]

as I have always said, Trump is good at one thing, for good or bad. But Advertising. He's brilliant at getting people to know his name.

[@kensmith5694]

Meanwhile there are still children in cages. The Russians are still meddling. No hardening of infrastructure has happened. The deficit is at a new record high. Getting peoples attention can also work to move their attention off other matters.

[@alexthompson8977]

It's detention facilities and they have to be kept there. Obama made them for a reason. Also russian collusion has been debunked.

[@TheTriggaTv]

OG vlog brothers fans will know the reference at 1:03

[@azx9995]

We also got the map of the realm of Narnia!

[@konnerdent4835]

Sauce please! I don’t get the reference, but I would like to!

[@sarahprunierlaw9147]

I have been watching for years but missed it. I would love a link to what he is referring too.

[@azx9995]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZKYmoRne6dqj9U

[@sarahprunierlaw9147]

@@azx9995 Thanks! I was busy with a tiny baby right then and missed this video. I'm glad for the opportunity to see it!

[@RDHardy79]

You nailed it, Hank! Thanks for the video.

[@mxpronounced3224]

"Attention is currency in the marketplace of ideas" - Very Important philosopher Peter Coffin

[@MCAndyT]

+

[@journalsbysophie]

You remind me of the show The Newsroom which as a journalist was a fairy tale of what I wanted my career to be. In the second episode I believe they set a new standard of what news is and what they set wasn't giving them ratings but they kept it up and it was nothing like today's news landscape but man was it beautiful. I believe you're right he needs the attention more than ever because that is how he won the election by saying "catchy" Statments that we will always remember for how insane they were but in his head as long as he has our eyes on him we might forget that a president shouldn't act or say half of what he did. He's almost not human at least to us, he's a character playing the president in a scary reality show, When he's not making people laugh or agree with him he can't function.

[@subhi1809]

There's a Narnia map in the back! 😂

[@vitorafmonteiro]

Also altered by sharpies, lol.

[@yisraelkatz1958]

This is... a well thought out and nuanced observation about a difficult subject that is all the more impressive since it comes from someone who really doesn't like our current president. And that is very mature for the internet and I'm glad there are people like Hank who are able to talk coherently and clearly even when we're all inclined not to.

[@genessab]

I’m kinda tired of trump being wrong. I mean worrying about it does nothing for me I guess :/ I feel like activism about serious problems (most notably climate change but also class struggles, intersectional oppression etc) are much more important. But I understand your point, and it’s one that I unfortunately have to think about more than I want to. Love ya Hank

[@Julia_and_the_City]

+, thank you for believing in what matters! I hope that by dividing our attention well we can improve the world, best of luck in your own activism whatever it may be.

[@btbesquire5]

This is marvelous, Hank

[@meirihareven5092]

That is also what's happening in Israel with prime minister Netanyahu. Many of his supporters believe there's no alternative, even though he's dividing the nation and filling the country with corruption and fanaticism.

[@Julia_Berrrlin]

Hang in there hank. Nothing is forever. Glad to see we're on one page for this. Greetings from Europe

[@sarahlott3611]

Dun Dun Dun Opps I made a video about Trump

[@adelined]

oh yeah yeah yeah

[@CarrotConsumer]

#orangestastegood

[@Escape0900]

My daughter listens to dear Hank and John every day,she begs for it. She's 7. She asked what you guys look like, I showed her John's last video, I just showed her this one. Her reaction was wow Hank is much younger than his brother! John is old. 😂😂😂kids are harsh man.

[@AlleyBetwixt]

Vote it out every time! Good stuff, as usual. *sings* Oops. Hank. Talked. A-bout. Trump...

[@fanq_]

which you could say actually is worse than just writing on some social media

[@azx9995]

How many times do you replace a part before you wonder if maybe the whole engine is bad?

[@softpetal]

I know this is off topic, but I wanted to tell you that I loved your book. I just recently read it and I thought I wouldn't like it but, boy was I wrong. its so good, thank you!

[@isabbygabbyorcrabby]

Johns video asking people for funding for AFC Wimbledon played as the pre roll and I just wanted to mention it because it made me smile :)

[@fishypaw]

Spot on appraisal. Thanks Hank.

[@emilyhennessey8294]

People, especially leaders who always need attention are exhausting and ineffective.

[@highlander723]

Best economy since 2008.

[@crarls27]

@@highlander723 ...on the verge of a massive recession. Ftfy.

[@highlander723]

@@crarls27 you sound like you're hoping for one. Do you really hate Trump that much that you're helping millions of people suffer just to hurt him? If you do then there's something seriously wrong with you and you need to see a psychologist or maybe even a psychiatrist

[@crarls27]

@@highlander723 It is predicted. I'm not surprised you haven't heard anything about it if this is how you behave. Don't care about your little rant.

[@highlander723]

@@crarls27 are these the same predictions that failed to see 2008 or the ones that said Hillary Clinton would win in a land slide back in 2016? Which one?

[@SuperCgran]

Love the video. Love the message. Couldn’t agree more. But I’m wondering why this has to be taken to Vlogbrothers. This has always been a space where I felt like I was leaving whatever echo chamber I live in and get to immerse myself in a community of people that are here for the same reason - and it’s not politics.

[@derektroutman4793]

I got an AFC Wimbledon advert with John in it before the video

[@faeriesmak]

Awesome video Hank!

[@gnova7]

You need to do a video about registering to vote like now. The deadline for registration to vote in the primary is in October in NY. Yeah like 30 days!!!! Voter registration largely impacts the election so basically the NY primary is OVER IN 30 DAYS!!! Please Hank!

[@louis-philip]

Good insights! You speak what a lot of us want to say. Keep it up.

[@Jerry113]

the president probably mistook the word "bahamas" for "alabama" because they sound alike

[@MCAndyT]

OMG. So likely! Like when he said the country name "Nambia" (clearly conflating Namibia and the Gambia)

[@berglettemom6045]

Bravo, Hank. Well done!

[@spencerhoadley5723]

Here’s my take on government, no matter who’s in charge. We’re talking about a sharpie. What’s going on this week that we ARENT talking about, because of the sharpie?

[@nman2563]

That sharpie is hugely important because it represents the strategy of a president with respect to a force of nature that could affect the lives of millions.

[@OneUpdateataTime]

Thank you for discussing politics. It's not always interesting or fun to people and having someone accessible discuss it in a way that gets to the point is very valuable in today's society, especially for young people.

[@Naalders]

Trump is abnormal but I also think a lot of media organisations are making mountains out of molehills and cry rivers while never really talking about the important things like prison reform, information about healthcare systems and developments, foreign policy and a lot of other things people actually do care about. all the petty things and subjects are making it harder to see the actual beneficial and damaging aspects of this administration.

[@BobbbyJoeKlop]

It's crazy to think Comando n' Cheeto is going to get a Presidential Library at some point-"...so many big beautiful coloring books there will be, and gorgeous crayons everywhere too."

[@Kevin-sy8uf]

Tremendous crayons

[@AlleyWater]

It is way better to admit that you were wrong, than provide people with miss information.

[@toobusytocreateaname]

Allison Hoekwater *than

[@kriscollinstunes]

m.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/NOAA-backs-Trump-on-Alabama-forecast-and-rebukes-14420459.php

[@averyvincent1868]

"The job of the President was not to wield power but to attract attention away from it." --Douglas Adams, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"

[@ElvenWisdom]

LOL! Never thought I would see someone who thought so deeply about the truth of that movie as I do. Wise comment!

[@nevar108]

1:15 to 1:18, your Trump impersonation had far to many big words. Needs work!

[@MrRosenleaf406]

This is absolutely spot on analysis! Bravo!

[@ishanstuff]

Andrew Yang for 2020. That man is clearly worthy.

[@therealkenanigans]

What happens on Tuesday exactly? Love all the videos, SciShow, Microcosmos, you brothers are a beacon of bright light

[@ShirinRose]

On Tuesday John makes a video

[@Jebbtube]

I feel like if we could ignore him, he'd go away...except if we did, he'd make things worse and worse just to make us pay attention to him.

[@tt-qh3kj]

Soo.. are we going talk about Bill Clinton's recently deceased friend having a large panting of him in drag hanging in his Living room.?

[@Jebbtube]

@@tt-qh3kj Which friend and who now?

[@johnchessant3012]

I can't wait to see a compilation of every single "weird" thing he's done, after he leaves office. For now we must focus on the actions he's taken and ignore the man he is. As Michelle Wolf said at the WHCD, "we have all these 24-hour news networks and we could be covering everything". There's so much going on that it's frankly sick that Trump can seize attention like this.

[@hankwestwood1620]

John Chessant he will leave Jan 25 2025. So we got a while 👌🏻

[@unamuseddeathgod5128]

Where my centrists at, say it with me: #BothSidesAreDumbOnlyIAmSmart

[@psulionz87]

Great video, fam

[@NotShowingOff]

Specifically, he is shameless.

[@emilyg7953]

Coming from an Emergency Manager, hurricanes have such a weird political climate around them. There's no disaster that isn't political but a lot of folks don't get exposed to the important bits, such as the faulty policy or mitigation behind it. Usually it's the Trump stuff, like football throwing paper towels and "sharpie-gate". Hopefully that can change soon.

[@origummy_]

People don't see it, but Trump's popularity is fueled by his extravagant sayings. The more offensive the criticism on him is, the stronger he grows. The guy is a mastermind.

[@saonb]

Can Hank just be president? This is so well articulated and thoughtful and such a good, objective, perspective.

[@andrewdodo2011]

Sharpie 2020

[@MaT1cus]

Holy crap. I love the attitude in your face in this entire video