The Surprising Origin of Crash Course

Of course I know that the vast majority of people who are watching this won't be able to get a coin, but the small percent who can are making it so that this resource is available to all and not being built inside of a system that will ultimately be designed to capture more value rather than lower more barriers.

Thanks all!

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[flowerheit]

The first person who bought one of the coins was their mom 😭

The Parents Green once again being quiet MVPs

[Moira]

I'm kind of an old nerdfighter and I still think of crash course as "that new thing John and Hank are doing" glad to see y'all still kicking

[gregorygiaouris]

John: Let's create the most important and popular humanities and science videos on the internet.
Hank: Yes.

[KarenPuzzles]

Another fun fact that I like to bring out at parties (I'm really fun at parties) is that I was on the original email thread where you were deciding what to name Crash Course. Alas, my suggestion of "Learn All The Things" was not chosen.

[discoveringcatia]

"John, it was our mom" the noise I made

[JoshuaGonzalez-bepc]

When I was a freshman in college I was studying for a chemistry final and I was distraught. I kept thinking to myself "Gah I need a crash course in chemistry if I'm gonna pass!" So I started googling and found CrashCourse-Chemistry. I watched the videos all night, and it was the first time chemistry was fun to learn! Anyway.... I failed that final and also that chemistry course.... but I had discovered that even the most difficult topics can be fun to learn and each contain their own wonders. I retook the chemistry course and passed with an A the next semester. I got my BS! I wanted to keep learning so I got an MS! I am now writing my dissertation for a PhD in Integrative Physiology! In part because CrashCourse was the spark that lit a fire of curiosity in me. And this flame won't go out.

[ardrapattath]

Crash Course is, for me, 80% of the inspiration to learn, not for the sake of exams or jobs or seeming like a smarty pants, but for understanding the world around me better.

Thank you Complexly and Crash Course.
DFTBA and DFTKL (Don't Forget To Keep Learning)!

[gominuke]

crash course and sci show are one of the few only channels (from like 90?) that are still doing stuff from that 2011 youtube original funding round, crazy. I think vice were in it too, but it was like all to MCNs n stuff that wasted the millions on channels that just couldn't continue without continued funding. remember it like it was yesterday. (edit is typo)

[elliemj]

CrashCourse has literally been a saviour of my education since it began and I’m just about to finish university, thank you guys so much for making it 💚

[melimsah]

I just got goosebumps. I remember subscribing on subbable the MOMENT I heard about it. I got some of those subbable perks. I'm still signed up on patreon. I don't have the time to keep up with the videos anymore, but it's not about my own enjoyment, it's about putting these videos into the world for all to have. Thank you both for everything you do

[discoveringcatia]

"redacted and other ventured capitalists" comrade hank strikes again

[RobbySauce]

Wow, thank you for sharing this. This video couldn't have came out at a better time. Super glad that crash course and scishow are both free and open to the public.

[realspacemodels]

In my 60's I'm happy to be able to support Crash Course, being made by people in their 40's for the major benefit of people born since 2000.

[isabbygabbyorcrabby]

I'm so proud to be a patreon of crash course. Especially as someone who couldn't afford to pay for crash course when I was in school and I used it a lot (NB I still use crashcourse a lot as an adult - who doesn't love learning?!)

[katnisspotterholmes]

I’m going to be frank here:
I’ve hated history class for a LONG time, but when I started to learn about the French Revolution I LOVED IT! And the best thing is, that by watching the crash course videos it made me love it even more!
Now I’ve started to love history little by little, and John’s videos have been the ones that have helped me love every other part of any history subject <3

[kimmykimmie]

Well. Now I’m crying. Crash course helped me find learners when I lost my love of learning and reminded me that I can do great things. Thank you everyone working on it, everyone whos bought a coin, patreon or supported them in any other way. All of you are wonderful.

[Jane_]

It’s crazy to think something that has had such a profound impact on my education - and so many other’s educations - started so simply. Thank you

[doommustard]

There is a third barrier you didn't really talk about: (you discussed making learning boring and expensive or difficult to access for certain people.) certain topics are considered not worth learning, and it prevents those topics from being discussed in an environment that is conducive to learning.

[jazmelodys]

For a year and a half, I taught and tutored elementary, middle, and high school students with learning disabilities. There was not a single one of them that did not LOVE Crash Course. It was engaging and insightful to them on a level and in a way that nothing else they'd been offered was. I'm now working on my master's degree to become a librarian, and I feel your stress of budgeting and offering the best educational resources possible on an even deeper level. As a former teacher and a now-almost-librarian, thank you for dedicated your hearts and souls to the cause of free access to educational resources.

[LynMusic]

The reveal of the first person who bought the first $500 crash course coin almost made ME cry. So sweet! 😭