ReThinking John Green Wants You to Pay Attention to Your Attention
10 snips
Jun 22, 2021 
John Green, bestselling author of 'The Fault in Our Stars' and renowned YouTuber, dives into the fascinating concept of paying attention to our attention. He shares his journey of rating everything from human wonder to Canadian geese on a five-point scale. The conversation touches on the shortcomings of traditional reviews, exploring how personal narratives shape our understanding. John reflects on the allure of young adult literature for all ages and discusses the complexities of mental health, burnout, and the importance of authentic creative connections.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Attention as a Guide
- Pay attention to what you pay attention to, as Amy Krouse Rosenthal advised.
- This practice reveals your values and helps you discover your life's direction.
Quantifying Qualitative Feedback
- Adam Grant quantifies feedback, even qualitative feedback like book reviews.
- He uses a 0-10 scale to gauge reactions and identify areas for improvement.
Writing as a Gift
- John Green views his writing as a gift to readers, not merely self-expression.
- This perspective requires letting go of the work once it's shared.
