Beloved author John Green discusses his obsession with evaluating human progress through Yelp-style reviews on diverse topics. He shares insights on the transformative power of intentional focus, the importance of intrinsic motivation in creativity, and the allure of young adult novels. The conversation also touches on navigating remote work, reflections on vices, and writing challenges.
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Quick takeaways
John Green uses a five-point scale to rate everything from wonder to Canadian geese, highlighting his fascination with evaluating human progress.
John Green finds a balance between feeling influential through his global readership and powerless in personal struggles, revealing the complexity of human existence.
John Green's adaptive approach to failures like the Desert Island novel allows him to salvage valuable elements for future works, turning setbacks into learning opportunities for creative growth.
Deep dives
The Influence of Community in Creative Process
The Nerd Fighters community influences John's work by offering feedback and advice during live show readings, impacting the creative process positively. This collaborative dynamic allows for outside perspectives and insights that shape the direction of his writing projects, leading to a deeper connection with his audience.
Recognizing the Paradox of Human Power
John reflects on the paradox of human power, feeling both influential through his widespread book readership yet powerless in personal struggles and day-to-day challenges. This dichotomy highlights the blend of global impact and individual limitations faced by individuals, presenting a complex and introspective view of human existence.
Navigating Failure and Learning
Reflecting on failures like the Desert Island novel, John discusses the process of putting aside projects that aren't working and giving them a fresh look later. This adaptive approach enables him to salvage valuable elements for future works, turning setbacks into learning opportunities and paving the way for creative growth.
Cultivating Uncertainty and Openness to Change
John embraces uncertainty and invites change in his creative process, allowing for shifts in perspective and the willingness to reevaluate ideas. Embracing ambiguity and evolving viewpoints help navigate creative challenges, fostering a mindset of open exploration and flexibility in storytelling.
Interacting with Fans and Impacting Work
Through interactions with fans known as Nerd Fighters, John receives critical feedback that shapes his writing decisions and influences the direction of his work. The engagement with his audience offers meaningful insights and perspectives, enhancing the creative process and deepening the connection between the author and readers.
Do you pay attention to your attention? John Green is the beloved author of The Fault In Our Stars, and when he started tracking his attention, he realized he was obsessed with evaluating human progress. He decided to start rating everything — from the capacity for human wonder to Canadian geese — on a five-point scale. In this deeply thoughtful conversation with Adam, John shares what he learned from his series of Yelp-style reviews, the gift of a great book, and the unexpected life lessons found in the last lap of Mario Kart. Read the full text transcript at go.ted.com/T4G8
This episode previously aired June 22, 2021.
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