What Matters

I started thinking about this video in the context of Donald Trump, just trying to understand how you get to a place where you a very particular perception of strength...the hollowness of bullying people and gathering power around yourself without even any clear vision for what should or could be done with that power could be so integral to someone's self worth.

It makes sense to me now, but it is no less sad.

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[wheezywaiter]

This is very true. I used to hate sweet potatoes. I love them now.

[dancingintherain]

Hank: **talks for four straight minutes about a really insightful and thought-provoking way of looking at humanity, the things we value, and why we value them**
Also hank: Pizzamas fannypack! Fannypack! It's got a zipper in the front! It's got a zipper in the back!!

[elizabethkoerner]

I appreciate that John Mulaney is the picture for "wit".

[noisemitter]

“Everyone suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues” -Nick Carraway, The Great Gatsby

[jkwatcher]

My wife and I were watching a song writing series on Netflix last night. One episode Lin Manuel was explaining Burr’s song ”wait for it” in Hamilton.

It got me thinking about how Burr’s character comes off to me about how much he both wants to and does not want to be more like Hamilton. That the song “wait for it” is him trying to explain how his culture/family instilled a value of waiting for the right moment and Hamilton just gets to do whatever her wants.

I might be projecting because I identify with that so much.

[Julesdoesstuff]

“You, mortal beings, are the instrument by which the universe cares. If you choose to care, then the universe cares.” -Brennan Lee Mulligan, Dimension 20

[natanmaurer]

John Mulaney for wit? Hell yeah. Show that tall child the respect he deserves.

[VivianDelphine]

“These things are not carved in copper” Is this about pennies again?

[oshoprior]

"We believe in the stories we find ourselves in"

That's going in the quotes collection

[trace_tomorrow]

The pan down to almost skin colored pants made me avert my eyes for a moment because I briefly though we were seeing Hank in a pizzamas speedo.

[zoggerweibchen]

Man... you really hit the nail on the head with "if someone threatens that (the traits you believe are valuable about yourself), it can feel like an assault".

It explains really well why I felt shit for days when I found out my supervisor for my thesis thinks I am unorganized. I really think I am organized, and even though things did not go always go well during my thesis, hearing it is "because you are unorganized" put a huuuge dent into my self-esteem. Actually it still does a bit today (1 year post thesis)

[GLaDTheresCake]

Yes! I used to think I was a guy, turns out I'm a girl!! And I have John and you to partly thank for that, and the amazing nerdfighter community for being so welcoming and accepting, and helping me explore my identity! So from the bottom of my heart, thank you! And I hope there will be a lot more positive development in my life now that I can see a future for myself to be happy in. I wish you all a wonderful human journey, and I hope you all stay curious, about yourself, your role in society, and others!

[Wastafar]

Title: "What matters"
Prominent text in thumbnail: "Pizza"

Checks out.

[melneedsherspace]

At first I was like, "Wow I really needed this video 6 years ago." And then I was like "Wait I really need this video NOW" Great video Hank!

[yaelmorin]

"we believe in the stories we find ourselves in", a.k.a. "we accept the love we think we deserve", vol. 2

[yenilopez]

“We believe the stories we find ourselves in” it’s super interesting and real. Reading anthropology and sociology related books gave a lot of perspective about what “we” (we as in western modern societies) value and see as virtuous or even straight up “good”, and how other cultures might seem to value the opposite, however, I think the trap it’s that... that just because it’s different doesn’t mean it’s the opposite.

[unlurkingsentinel]

Frequently, you guys make a video that is so beautiful and/or important that I'm strongly tempted to share it with others...

...and then something like that outro happens.

I respect your commitment to not growing this channel.

[mnmder]

That sigh of relief when halfway through the video we get some examples instead of vague mentions

[Liz_Crowley]

See: "gifted" kids having their identity being "good at school"

[kashishkukreja]

The eerie stifling feeling you have when you really want to have a trait knowing that it's not the end of the world if you don't get it but because you have replayed the same old narrative in your head that you want it, you deserve it, it really takes a toll on your self worth, when you can't get it. It's like everyone believed I could do that, I believed I could get that, didn't I have it in me??
Perhaps we sometimes, more often than not see ourselves through the eyes of someone else.
Thanks for the video Hank!