John Green, bestselling author known for novels like "The Fault in Our Stars," discusses the power of paying attention to our attention. He shares his amusing and insightful ratings of various life experiences, revealing lessons from Mario Kart and the essence of mindfulness. The conversation dives into the complexities of personal narratives in storytelling, the joys of solitude, and how hybrid work dynamics affect creativity. Green reflects on the role of community in his writing journey and the emotional weight of young adult literature.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Pay Attention to Your Attention
Pay attention to what you pay attention to.
This can reveal what truly motivates you and guide your work.
insights INSIGHT
Subjectivity of Reviews
The five-star scale, while seemingly objective, is inherently subjective.
Reviews reflect personal experiences, not absolute truths.
insights INSIGHT
The Power of Attention
Attention is a valuable resource; how you pay it matters most.
Careful, sustained attention can unlock intellectual and emotional rewards in almost anything.
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In 'The Anthropocene Reviewed', John Green adapts and expands his critically acclaimed podcast into a symphony of essays. He reviews a wide range of subjects, from the QWERTY keyboard and sunsets to Canada geese and 'Penguins of Madagascar', using a five-star rating system. The book is a personal and introspective exploration of human existence, touching on themes of culture, science, and personal experiences. Green's essays are praised for their wit, empathy, and ability to make the universal personal, offering a reflection on the human condition during times of global change and uncertainty.
The Fault in Our Stars
John Green
The novel follows Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16-year-old girl with thyroid cancer that has spread to her lungs, and Augustus Waters, a 17-year-old boy who lost his leg to osteosarcoma. They meet at a cancer support group and develop a deep bond over their shared experiences and favorite books. The story explores themes of mortality, the meaning of life, and the intensity of their love as they face the harsh realities of their illnesses. The narrative is marked by its direct and introspective tone, as Hazel navigates her feelings and the existential questions that come with facing death.
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
Worklife with Adam Grant 
