What's in the Box in the Box in the Box?

In which John explores the childhood memorabilia he chose to keep, attempting to deconstruct memories as Hank recently deconstructed an adding machine. Also, John learns that his parents found him "ugly" and "so purple" as a child.
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Hank's twitter - / hankgreen
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[@thewinterizzy]

I just watched a full grown man whom I have never met open a bunch of mostly empty boxes and yet here I am at the end of the video feeling slightly moved and emotional. Life is strange and beautiful, you guys.

[@CinziaDuBois]

I hunk I speak for everyone when I say...those are some damn pretty boxes. Just see it as: every empty box is symbolic of a time in life where you had the opportunity to trivialise a moment through a materialistic trinket, but instead you chose to carry on living the moment, and thus, each empty box signifies you living.

[@CinziaDuBois]

*think, not hunk autocorrect. Clearly my subconscious or autocorrect was deeply aroused by pretty boxes.

[@jamesdown5064]

Choncey Boddington you know that there is an editing option right?

[@CinziaDuBois]

it won't let me on my iPad for some reason. Only delete option or reply

[@jamesdown5064]

Choncey Boddington ohhh, didn't know that. Learned something new.

[@DePereMischief]

Well that's a pretty beautiful thought.

[@davidng8732]

Life is like a box of boxes...you never know what you're gonna get...unless you guess more boxes.

[@sanjana5106]

Lol

[@teodorapolgar]

that is the best answer !

[@CherryyBombs]

I applaud you

[@davidng8732]

I'M THE MOTHERFUCKING BOX!!!

[@XerosXIII]

Box! David! Box!!

[@EvaHoHoHo]

i get a weird squishy feeling when john and hank talk about loving each other cause sibling-love is so awesome. i will call my brother and tell him i love him now. also probably mention that he smells like fart, just to even it out.

[@Tigermond1]

It always feels like some kind of Esther Day. They are so cute. :D

[@Titaniumbunny24]

I had the same reaction. Here's hoping for more luck on your end then there will be on mine though. A sibling phone call seems like a long lost luxury to a sister of a 19 year old boy who is waist deep in astrophysics textbooks.

[@CottonDrifting]

I would call my brother and tell him I love him but I'm too awkward and British... I'll just wait till Christmas and then not say anything, I think that's what he would appreciate...

[@learningftw6559]

***** Sorry for you :(

[@lorki3]

meh I wish I had a good relationship with my brother

[@harjashow]

I think the empty boxes are a beautiful metaphor for how we as young people tend to be fascinated by the outer appearance of things without really considering the contents. You should definitely try to incorporate that in a future novel lol

[@trisymphony]

as long as nobody is putting you in a box, everything's fine

[@sarty]

Wow. That's deep.

[@Arian545]

As long as nobody is putting it in your box, is more important.

[@Schokiii310]

Wow okay. This comment got me right now.

[@mellowapocalypse]

When I was a kid my brothers used to put me in boxes & suitcases as a joke & then take me out by the side of the road & have me come out when a car passed by.

[@realspacemodels]

It's not the cough that carries you off. It's the coffin they carry you off in.

[@andreabreckenridge5680]

I understand that John loves Nerfighteria (seriously, check his Twitter), but I feel like this video was especially for Hank. And I think that's beautiful. IT'S NOT ESTHER DAY, BUT THEY LOVE EACH OTHER AWWWWWW.

[@isaginationchannel]

I seriously don't disrespect the "bigger" and more educational work you have done John, but I have to say this was one of my favorite videos :)

[@scottgoblue]

John from the Past executes a flawless penny troll job. 10/10

[@srabbelier]

"Life is not about things, it's about people, and what you do together." Words to live by.

[@JennaMIsAMAZING]

John, I hope everything is okay in your piece of the world. Seeing your tweets today got me worried about you and your family. I have made some wonderful friends through Nerdfighteria that are almost like family. It seems to me like that's what this community is. More of a family than anything else. I'm glad that we "keep you going", but I hope I'm not the only one who feels that if you need some time away for any reason that you would be more than welcome to take it. After all, if we are like a family, then you're part of it, too. Best wishes, Rebecca

[@quelltarum]

I second this. I really hope you're all doing okay, and totally understand if you need to take time away from vlogging because of real life events.

[@flj7]

Mal Peet, another YA author, passed away today. I think his mood has something to do with that.

[@JennaMIsAMAZING]

flj7 probably. Which is a totally justifiable reason to take a break.

[@flj7]

RebeccaAwesome Definitely. I have no idea how close they were but it seems like Mal was someone he looked up to.

[@EmberIslandPlayer]

Great video John! I liked your cute message to Hank at the end. This video has made me conscious of how little I preserve things now. Back when I was a teenager I loved taking pictures and preserving memories and watching slideshows set to music. When I joined Facebook, I would compulsively upload any image in my possession, even if it had no context or value. One time I put up a scanned image of a theme park flyer. Then at some point in high school I realized I was tired of being at parties and hangouts and worrying about taking pictures of everything instead of actually enjoying the moments. Since then the only things I preserve are backup computer files and exceptionally funny gifs. I think with the Internet and social media in particular our generation is simultaneously obsessed with posting about mundane things and also not so worried about preserving physical things, but I could just be projecting. I don't imagine having a box like John's to go through when I'm older. If you asked me if there was a fire and I could run inside my house to save one item, I'd have a lot of trouble choosing something that I couldn't replace or simply get over losing with the passage of time. With the exception of early childhood things my parents undoubtedly have, I don't feel the need to cherish trinkets and mementos, and that doesn't really bother me. I've come to prefer living in the moment. I feel less pressure to maximize the fun I'm having.

[@moonpearl666]

This is obviously what was going through a young John Green's mind when starting his box collection: "Oh, I know! I'll get a box... a harmless little box... And then I'll put that box in a box and then I'll put those boxes inside of another box and then I'll continue that cycle until I reach manhood! AHAHAHAH! It's brilliant I tell you!" yes I know it's a failure of a reference shut up.

[@TheCosmicRabbit]

LMFAO XD

[@Jemini4228]

Not at all. I'm having a very Steve Rodgers moment...

[@Setheli216]

Fiendish, I'd say.

[@emu_phase]

I will always be supportive of an Emperor's New Groove reference.

[@ellock1998]

Such an underrated movie.

[@VlogUntilDawn]

On Twitter you said this video would be boring, well I loved it! Some of my favorite videos are the ones where we learn more about you guys and your past. Like Hank's embarrassing moments reenacted by sock puppets, John's stories that he wrote when he was little, and of course the NES poop fiasco. Amazing Vlogbrothers moments.

[@Devanne5]

I was having a fairly crap day, but I watched this video and it just made me really happy. Thank you for improving my day.

[@Tigermond1]

Thank you for this lovely video, John. Yesterday, I discoverd Charlie's song "Time to Reply" from 2012, I've listened to it all day long now (actually I'm listening to it right now), and it reminds of how I much I don't want to loose you. Never. Ever. It also reminds me of how fast you can loose and forget somebody, even if you love (or loved) him or her. Even if you say that you never ever want to forget this person. So actually, the only thing I can do is hope. That you and Hank will always be a part of my life. But I also realized that even if I'd stop being a Nerdfighter one day, or maybe forget your names, you WON'T stop being a part of my life, because you were a big part of my youth and my youth will always be a part of my life and so there is no way you could ever not be a part of my life. That's good news. The bad news are that maybe one day, I will forget your names.

[@DanTheMan5420]

John, I look forward to your videos (and Hank's) every week. Thanks for posting. They give me little things to look forward to during my busy weeks.

[@LuneFromage]

John, I've just been rejected from two graduate schools. I feel empty and sad and worthless now. I know that it's silly to judge myself based on what a couple of schools think about me. But it feels terrible to say to someone, "I want to learn from you, here is my soul (even though I don't believe souls exist in a literal sense), I am an excellent student with almost perfect grades to prove it, and my carefully crafted application that took me SO much time and effort as I attempted to do it on computers in both Japan and Korea where I could not understand what the screen was saying to me, but I figured it out while working a full time job and dealing with the death of a student and family issues and a friend trying to commit suicide and the Japanese garbage system and I did it all just because I want you to teach me," and then to be told I'm not worthy of learning from them. It hurts so much. I applied to more, but I haven't heard back from them yet. My self esteem is crushed. I'm just a worthless box collection, just an aging vessel of memories gaining a fine layer of dust over time.

[@mcmoran9267]

I'm so terribly sorry to hear that, and while I can offer no advice nor comfort, I'd like to let you know that you're not worthless and you're not alone.

[@thatotherguy27]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but a lot of things are like this. You take time on a college application, or a resume cover letter, or thinking of what to say to someone you like, and then in goes away in the time it takes someone to say "no". I have no effective way of dealing with it myself - I mostly just avoid new people, places, and situations. I wouldn't recommend it.

[@LuneFromage]

MC Moran Thank you! It's nice to hear that, it really is. :) It's comforting to just not feel alone.

[@Isabellecomplete]

Remember that no matter what you are worthy of learning, and you will to do so is a testament to yourself. You never know where life will take you, it may be that you look back years from now and see that what happened was the best thing because it led you to a better, unexpected place. Your life will not be defined by this, nor will your value. As John himself said "You are going to live a good an long life filled with great and terrible moments that you cannot yet imagine". Remember that.

[@sydneymother]

I don't know if it is any comfort, but all the Green's have been rejected at one point or another. John once got rejected from a creative writing class...imagine! We are sending you good thoughts.

[@andreabreckenridge5680]

Two freaking videos in a row where he mentions his bronze medal in economics. He will never let us forget that he was once third best at something kind of related to math.

[@Tigermond1]

Third best C-student in economics, I think. :D

[@learningftw6559]

Tigermond1 In the state of Alabama.

[@affenonkel]

Not just one brother but two brothers! You always forget about Dave!

[@Tigermond1]

Poor Dave... :(

[@TheVlog]

No one loves Dave...

[@NickGreyden]

TheVlog I'm not even sure Dave loves Dave.

[@muradsadik4903]

Dave, if you're reading this: I appreciate you!

[@SummerLeppanen]

Poor Dave....

[@maxroyston5342]

"it's a metaphor" he says with a the fault in our stars poster in the background

[@imonetwistedtech]

At least you have something from your childhood. Those boxes are not empty. They are full of memories. Every box you look at, or touch or open will remind you of days gone past and what you were doing at that point on your life. Enjoy the boxes, they are priceless. I have nothing from my childhood, absolutely nothing. Not a ribbon, a toy a picture, nothing. Enjoy the boxes John.

[@victoriacliff4398]

John that last thing you said about Hank that was the sweetest thing I've ever heard ^_^

[@PestoPackinMama]

The camaraderie between John and Hank is just so refreshing. Sure, they're brothers and have shared tons of experiences through the years, but their relationship runs much deeper than just shared memories (although those are important). I really admire how much they value each other's insights, and it's so delightfully apparent that they're super proud of each other's accomplishments and abilities. Mad respect.

[@sl1pg8r]

You still have time John! Fill your boxes! ;)

[@alyssahardy412]

I love educational nerdfighter videos, I love weird-deconstructing-adding-machines nerdfighter videos, but I did not know until today how much I love John-opening-boxes nerdfighter videos. Thank you for this gift. Also, the irony of younger John Green saving pennies will keep me warm through the cold winters.

[@ChrisTheLoser]

"This is a lovely box given to me by my college girlfriend, its empty...thats a metaphor." I died! John Green is hands down the most interesting person ever! I really hope to meet him one day. The guy is genius!

[@saramgeorge]

This video had so much love in it, whether it was for boxes, odd pictures of flowers, or simply for a nerdy brother.

[@RamenLewis]

Thought there was going to be a dead cat...

[@Tigermond1]

You don't know if it's dead!

[@Evolutionmine16]

Correction. A half dead and half alive cat.

[@Apfelschiffchen]

Evolutionmine16 nah, it's both alive and dead at the same time!

[@Tigermond1]

Apfelschiffchen No, you just don't know if it's alive or dead, so you have to assume it's both at the same time, although you know it isn't.

[@RamenLewis]

Okay i was *half* expecting a dead cat to come out of the box...

[@ameliagrant1761]

I loved this; it felt so personal, like John was making it only for Hank, which is such an amazing thing. One of my favourites definitely

[@leeleeisgay]

"Put things in your boxes." -John Green Heheheheheheheh...

[@Wineclaw]

Context is, of course, everything.

[@sptells]

Thank goodness. I was scrolling through the comments and thinking, "How has no one pointed out the very obvious and dirty thing that John said?"

[@taylorhansen2872]

Sara Tellerico My thoughts exactly xD Does that make me a messed up person?

[@sptells]

Taylor Hansen If you're messed up, then so am I. So at least we're not messed up alone.

[@taylorhansen2872]

Sara Tellerico Hahaha Yaay

[@steam6380]

Well done for getting a video up on time when you feel so crappy. I think your kids would love to play with all those boxes.

[@katecheptine8747]

I'd love to have one of John Green's boxes

[@bethanyshields7752]

Me too!!

[@Naiadryade]

#p4a 2015 perk?

[@mykadassano438]

Yes!!! This is great.

[@Evolutionmine16]

I honestly can't tell if you're being serious or purposefully adding a suggestive tone to it. Sorry, the Internet has shown me that everything can sound suggestive.

[@SunyiSideUp]

Thanks for sharing your emptiness with us, John.

[@apiramie]

This just showed up in my recommendations and for a brief moment I thought John was finally going to tell us what's inside all of those boxes in his video background.

[@harrison46]

John you are the only man who can have a fault in our stars poster and not get questioned about it.

[@ze_rubenator]

I used to be so passionate about how it's called football, not soccer. It's almost amazing, cause it doesn't matter. Like, at all. There was a time when I would have thrown shit at John for saying "soccer team." WTF? I had some strange issues, man.

[@locohombre79]

This just might be The Greatest Internet Comment Of All Time!

[@KemaTheAtheist]

Especially since "soccer" is a term that came from the UK!

[@culwin]

This comment broke the internet

[@giannaw439]

I'm 16 and American and even I went through a period of yelling at people who called it soccer.. so I feel your pain

[@KemaTheAtheist]

Roller sail ROFL. Completely different things. Football was known as asSOCiation football to distinguish it from rugby football. Association football was called soccer for short until Rugby dropped the football part of the sport name.

[@bingo784]

The empty boxes are not empty boxes! Actually they are empty, at least as of you opening them. You see, you probably filled them with some super precious memories and ideas. And because you weren't ready to catch them they've now flown off to the great forgotten place where all things forgotten go to forever be forgotten and forever remain forgotten. Rest in peace childhood memories and fantasies of a younger John Green.

[@carlosramon8919]

... oh my God there's a to tooth in there.

[@vlanoik]

The fact that the tooth was with that rose made me wonder if those two are connected.

[@xoxdid]

vlanoik I think his prom date may have punched him afterwards...

[@evaoma8879]

The basket - looking box with the flowers on in looked so beautiful! ♡

[@2201rafaela]

That ending was adorable.

[@robertrooney9085]

You guys are awesome brothers. It is no where close to August, John, but I felt the "Hank, I love you." tone you were going with. So great when family gets along!

[@OneUpdateataTime]

Whoa. Nearly said "I love you, Hank" there at the end.

[@Titaniumbunny24]

Coming from a two child household I found it rather interesting and surprising how there was such a lack of Hank in your boxes. For me, my brother and I's childhoods are so entwined I can scarcely seem to think of an important memory from childhood without him. And yet when I looked around in some pictures in my mother's album I found some similar results to John's. Lots of goofy photos of me or my brother alone ( me aged 6 reading the new york times on the kitchen counter, my brother proudly wearing his Yankee T-Shirt with a goofy smile, his ears to big for his small face). It really makes you think if perhaps we are taking photos of the things that really matter in the end. Our relationships with one another. Great video John! Not as nerdy and numerical as Hank's but it'll do :) Edited: Typos

[@mykadassano438]

WHAT'S IN THE BOX?!?!?

[@GraceWegener]

That's the same thing I was thinking...what's in the baaaaaaahhhhhx?

[@kittyvalium6517]

An alive/dead cat

[@AidanIsThisGuy]

WHATS IN THE FUCKING BOX

[@calebturner8609]

its my dick in a box

[@mellowapocalypse]

just some boxes :/

[@ryanbaguette]

That last line of the video reminded me of the whole "Today was a good day. My brother got sick." journal entry incident. What loving brothers you two are !!!

[@CopyOfMe]

I think it's so fascinating that the English language calls everything boxes, regardless of size - I think of boxes as big ones. In Swedish we have låda (big box) and ask (small box). But then again we have no exact rule for when it is låda or ask (though things smaller than a shoe box usually is an ask), so I guess our language is fascinating too.

[@IYQ1317]

Super fascinating! Now that you mention it, it is kind of strange that we just call all boxes, boxes because English has unique names for the majority of container types (that come in various shapes and sizes or have a brand name association) but a box is normally just a box. Weird. It's never occurred to me that there should be more variation.

[@CopyOfMe]

Jessica-Robyn W. I know right? 'Cause when there's great size difference, boxes don't serve the same purpose - you would store an engagement ring in a small one and, and like, your stuff while moving in a big one.

[@christinecrawford]

Awww, so nice of you to throw that comment about Hank in at the end. Warmed my heart. :)

[@danheidel]

Let's all hold a moment of silence for John's beard. It had a short life but in that time it... didn't do much. It may have looked like John was shipwrecked on a desert island but... yeah, that's pretty much what it looked like. Anyway beard, you may have had a short life and been a little awkward but at least 10% of us will sort of miss you. Hopefully you got John a little extra action. RIP

[@leslierae6416]

I collected boxes too. I'm 24 now and every time I move I try to rid myself of a few each time, but I have a few cigar boxes that I just can't make myself throw away. The old brass hinges are broken and everything I put in them smells faintly of stale smoke but when I got them (at age 8 or maybe 9) they seemed so exotic and adult...now they hold things like Girl Scout patches and old movie tickets. Their a glimpse into what was, which I think it's the great thing about boxes, as long as you fill them that is. I hope you keep some of those boxes and fill them with things that you love, or maybe give a few of them to Alice and Henry so they can fill them with things that they love :)

[@Moonbeam143]

I once had a nightmare that took place in Sesame Street where I fought off big cats with cardboard boxes. When I woke up I asked my Dad for a box to sleep with for the rest of the night.

[@mykadassano438]

After all of the stuff on Twitter I was expecting a less wonderful video. John, this was great.

[@BBQ_Ch1cken]

I feel like you just didn't want to show us embarrassing pictures of Hank at the Christmas party.

[@TickleThePanda]

You're end of video sentiment is so adorable and perfect!

[@halahb4995]

It's a metaphor. You take a thing used to store stuff, but you don't put anything inside. Metaphor.

[@VideoNozoki]

"When I was a kid I had a box collection." Technically, you still have a box collection. Thank you for sharing it with us. With the sweet sentiment at the end I had to think, "Wait, is it already Hanko de Mayo?!" (It's nice to see you being nice to Hank, even when it's not a special occasion.)

[@ShadeSlayer1911]

Someone should totally make a movie about you and Hank, and you guys should play yourselves. In this movie, you will have an evil third brother who wants to use science and books to take over the world.

[@kayleeshook1593]

Dave is evil!?

[@lilyenpointe7448]

Dave isn't evil he's just sad, lonely and suffering from an existential crisis.

[@rhemorigher]

Nonsense, they should not play themselves - they should play each other!

[@itmovesitchats]

rhemorigher YES O__O Watching those two be each other would just be great. Or ruin their siblinghood.

[@jasonschneijder2012]

Lily En Pointe and then after fighting dave, John and Hank realise Dave has just been neglegted and things are more complicated than they seem, and they go to Dave to solve the problems and then the three of em try to tackle complicated issues in our global society. and ofcourse cute cats and dogs.

[@ClaireF_]

I went from happily watching a vlogbrothers video to an emotional mess in like 3 seconds...Beautiful sentiment, John! :)

[@mandevillesisters]

I'm just staring at the TFIOS poster with like a proud smile on my face. Am I the only one? XD -A,x

[@reeniekennedy1532]

John and hank=the cutest bromance that's ACTAULLY A BROMANCE like with real brothers!!! AHHH

[@sburns863]

"This is a lovely box given to me by my college girlfriend. It's empty, that's a metaphor." -John Green, 2015

[@Alex-Lay]

I love this video. There's just something so wonderful in the connection between you and the past and Hank. :)

[@GraceWegener]

I have the same kind of collecting tendency but with notebooks. I do use them, but I keep purchasing more...I have piles and piles of notebooks waiting to be filled and so many of them are empty. I think I got that from my dad. I wonder what that says about my creative ambition :P

[@kerstinsoderquist8798]

I have the same tendency... sometimes its composition books of varying colors and pictures and other times its journals from Barnes and Noble particularly or just plain spiral notebooks. Its been going on for I would say a good twenty years. Happy memories when I look at my notebooks.

[@lillymacattack3141]

I, at one point, had over 500 notebooks. I've narrowed it down to probably 200 now. I have found my people. 😂

[@notsosmall2830]

Kerstin Soderquist Brit here, just wanted to know, are composition books like a particular type of notebook? Or a brand? Because composition books aren't a thing here. I love a notebook too and have several empty ones at home.

[@kerstinsoderquist8798]

The binding of composition books are threaded. They aren't meant to have the pages pulled out. Brands... Mead and Top Flight are the ones I usually find. The basic ones have the black covers with white speckles. I use them for everything. I have enough that if I didn't buy any more I'd be set for a while.

[@NanaV73]

I'm sorry for your friend's passing, John. I hope you know that you are allowed to take a break sometimes! Lots of love and best wishes, Nerdfighteria

[@brwneyedgirlx19]

I have a bunch of old ballet trophies in my childhood bedroom at home, I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do with them - pack rat syndrome extraordinaire.

[@DonnaJulia]

I have all my dance costumes and medals/trophies from the ten years I was in dance.. I won't let anyone throw them away, but I have no idea what to do with them!

[@thatotherguy27]

I had a bunch of karate trophies that I accumulated over the years - no winners, and mostly participation trophies - that my mother refused to let me discard. I threw them away when she was out. She hasn't noticed.

[@tessat338]

thatotherguy27 Better that you should throw them away while she is out than that she should throw them away while you are out.

[@DrHammerr]

If it makes you feel better, I had a bunch of first place, second place, third place and fifth place trophies for various competitions ranging from physics to debate. And I didn't earn a single one. They were given to me by my physics teacher, who found them in a box in a back room. He was planning to throw them away, when I asked to keep them. They were made of mostly plastic, and were several decades old, with visible cracks, dents and missing pieces. I have no idea why I took them. I also took an entire set of bland physics and psychology books from the seventies. Worthless, mainly due to the amount of misinformation, ruined pages and outdated theories present. And yet they fill my shelves even to this day. I have not read a single one. I think I have a problem.

[@theREALsquirtle]

Donna Julia make a shadow box and display it in your you room! It's a great to share stories like that with people whom you're comfortable speaking to, but not aquainted in the "best friends since kindergarden" way.

[@abbeytpwk]

these are my favorite types of videos from john and hank awh

[@Wordsnwood]

I liked the adding machine video...

[@marissaoslick1961]

Oh wow. I can't even describe how I'm feeling right now. Thank you for sharing this, John!

[@feedmechipotle1120]

life is like a box of boxes, mostly empty.

[@mcmoran9267]

Well that was unnecessarily deep and depressing.

[@TankCollinsProtectionSquad]

👍🏽

[@mmkarima112995]

boxes of emptiness and memories :') I love these kinds of vlogbrother videos... especially from John. It makes feel... feelings i guess...

[@FunnyAnimatoFilms]

Okay, wait, he'll show us what's in some random box, but not what's in THE BOXES!?!?)!?!?!

[@frivolouswhales1641]

I think this is my favorite video. Nice hobby, John.

[@Marniuhhh]

Boxes in boxes in boxes... Is this some form of parabox?

[@HazelGiz]

I think this is the closest thing to a haul video that we're ever going to see from John.

[@mattweinsheimer249]

Hi John!

[@ObjectsInMotion]

I just recently came home from spring break to find my mother had given away all my boxes of childhood memorabilia to the Salvation Army, thinking that because I had left for college I would not want them anymore. Needlessly to say I am very envious of you, and quite depressed after watching this video.

[@_inhisbluegardens]

I found this oddly touching? Feelings? Why?

[@lydiamarrero5421]

The love between John and Hank makes me so happy.

[@thelonelydirector]

Wait... THE BEARD IS GONE!!!

[@ashleymoonstarsxo]

Thanks for sharing this John.. Your videos always manage to cheer me up at least a little

[@Luke-lw9dg]

WHAT"S IN THE BOXES

[@what237]

there is something different with the lighting. I'm not sure whether I like it or dislike it. Anyway, I love when you talk about you when you were younger. Thanks for the video.

[@bens0nbernard]

Always wanted to be top comment on a vlogbrothers video

[@NovelsRoses]

I love his excitement in opening all of the boxes to still find nothing

[@lalitito17]

i've never gotten to a video within the first 301 views =3

[@maxximumb]

lalitito17 Me too, was number 33. Kinda exciting in a sad way.

[@Westonator5000]

John, you have a collection of Schrodinger situations. You should be proud of that.

[@jjrneptune]

As someone whose brother, the nerdier out of the two of us nerds, passed away recently, I can say, it's tough. We had a ten year age gap between us, so naturally we didn't bond too well, but we were getting there this past year. I'm taking highschool Latin, my brothers request, and we had the same teacher (spoiler alert there was only one teacher) and my brother then started texting me in Latin and it was wonderful. All I have to say though is through out my life he and I always loved each other even if we didn't spend time together, and the moment you lose them the world stops, it truly does, but you'll have to keep on because the world has only stoped for you and shoot I don't know what the point I'm trying to make it, just keep loving each other and should one of you pass before the other don't let that stop you from living life

[@iveena]

I am so excited!! I have been collecting boxes for 40 years. I drive my husband crazy. I feel better knowing someone I admire also collected boxes.

[@curiousdoodler5509]

Haha I have a box of empty boxes that I collected as a kid (including a few of the college years). My Granny still sends me some for the holidays she remembers. I like that they're mostly empty. It makes the ones that have something in them a pleasant surprise.

[@HannahAckles]

This was probably one of my favorite vlogbrothers videos ever...and I've seen a lot. Is that too much to say? I don't know, I just really liked this one. :)

[@renataknox5539]

Awh, the ending where you address your brother as an "adding machine deconstructing nerd" so sweet

[@jowarren004]

I've been sick for the past couple days, so I've been locked in my room - sleeping mostly. Today I decided to catch up on youtube and I laughed probably harder than I should have because it lead to gross coughing. My mom most likely thought I was dying, but that's okay. Thanks for the laugh!

[@CodeDarkBlue]

d'awww you guys are so sweet with the ways you indirectly and backhandedly express your brotherly love for one another xD

[@caidinedwards1190]

It got so sappy toward the end...and I loved it.

[@AbbieElizabeth13]

This was so full of love and just beautiful and it just started out as boxes but became so much!

[@TheJes8p]

adding machine deconstructing nerd to describe Hank is probs the most accurate description of Hank Green I've ever seen in my life

[@Inductable]

I really like your box collection. If a gallery of pictures existed online I would look at all of them.

[@karisritenour9166]

I'm so glad someone else shares my childhood/continuing obsession with boxes!

[@benaddictforlife]

"Adding machine deconstructing nerd" - Is it weird that I think saying something like that about someone you're close to is just utterly, utterly beautiful?

[@sonjapeterson3063]

I don't know why we're surprised by John's growing collection of background boxes in 2017. The warning signs were here all along