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

[Sarah Jane]

John,

Happy belated birthday! (I started university on your birthday, so I was a wee bit busy. And the school's internet wasn't up. Still, higher education powns!) Thanks for teaching me that it's okay to love learning, and sci-fi, and reading, and all of the other incredibly made of awesome things that Nerdfighters love. Also, I think you should know that you share a birthday with suddenly buff Rupert Grint. AWESOME!

DFTBA, and Best Wishes!

Sarah

[luna(a.k.a- izzy brown)]

my non conjoined twin and i say happy birthday again!

[Katelyn]

I wish "It's John Green's Birthday" (first song from the video) was on itunes or something!

[Monchan]

I wish I could have bought John that island for his birthday, but I'm working on it ^^ Happy belated birthday John!!

[Madeline Taylor]

I got a little tear in my eye reading that!

[Hanna Geldart]

Happy Belated John!!! sorry i couldnt wish it to you yesterday, i was tied up . i know you DFTBA!

[Jaqueline Sparrow]

Happy Birthday John! We love you.

[Alex D. (kira902k)]

Aw, Hank, you are amazing you know that? Nerdfighteria is beyond incredible, and I honestly think this is the greatest group of humans ever to have existed.
And it's because of you two. Without you two to guide us and bring us together, this would have never happened.
That video must have taken FOREVER to do. So wow. Props to you, man. (Also, thanks for putting in my clip :P)
And John: you definitely deserved it.
Thank you guys both.
<3

[valerie2776]

I love nerdfighers. so so so so so so much.

[Carly Koneska]

Awww! I should've made a video too! Happy birthday, John! I wish this many people would say that about me! Just kidding, that would be kinda weird for me...well, best wishes! 8^D