Happy John Day! (and what hank learned)

[Hank Green]

First, let me tell you what John told me on the phone today. I quote him directly, because I took a mental note. He said that this video was "Literally the nicest thing I think anyone has ever done for me."

Of course, what he means is that it's the nicest thing that any GROUP has ever done for him...but I think we all recognize that.

While I did have to kick my computer's (and my own) ass a little bit to get this to work (I was editing at 4:30 AM last night) I couldn't help but be inspired. In the end, I kinda have to apologize for the video. There were some people who submitted things who didn't get in. Not because their stuff wasn't good, occasionally even because it was too good, and I couldn't cut it down enough to make it fit.

But what I realized as I tried to blink away the exhaustion last night was that I was having a REALLY great time. And that wasn't just because the content of the video was hilarious or touching or adorable, it was because I was inspired. Inspired by nerdfighteria.

Honestly, that happens to me every single day, but it doesn't become really obvious until something like this (biggest, best-ever collab) comes together in a matter of days.

I honestly believe that more has never been done for anyone's birthday than we did for John's birthday. The amount of time and planning and love that went into this...it's impossible to measure. And that's just one reason why it's inspiring.

On another level, we have the ease with which it happened. Aside from the actual manual labor of gathering and importing all of the images and clips, the only other thing I did was sent out two emails.

Literally MINUTES after I sent the first email, submissions were rolling in. Not for a prize, but for fun and just to be nice to someone you like.

The fact that this community can cooperate so fully, so fast, and in such an exciting and fun way is, in the true sense of the word, unique. The way this community operates is different than any other community has operated ever, and I'm extremely proud to be a part of it. Thank you all so much for this opportunity, I hope we deserve it, and if we do, that we continue to deserve it for a long time.

- Hank

[wsunerd]

LOOOVE the picture at 6:14 of the "Bibles" <3


Happy Birthday, John!

[Lysh]

guh, I'm a sap. I love this. You guys are the best.

[Sara (Ningmaster)]

I love nerdfighters. End of story. They are some of the most freaking awesome amazing insanely incredible people I have ever had pleasure of knowing. I love you all.

-Sara

[Samantha]

Thank you for the lovely comments Hank. : ) I love nerdfighters!
Oh, and Brig, we should try that balloon war again sometime. Would you be game?

[Sophie Kaplan]

Best Birthday Wishes! <3

[Rwanda s]

This is the best, Happy Brirthday John.

[Nalaty19]

Aww...your little speech about nerdfighteria made me teary-eyed...nerdfighters are amazing.

[Ashley Rautenstrauch(Ningmaster)]

Hank, you win the "Best Brother Ever" award for taking the time to collect and edit everything, and for making this community truly awesome with projects like this. DFTBA

[wearsredsox]

Best wishes on your birthday!

[Rachel Spiegelman]

Happy birthday John, and best wishes!