John Green, the acclaimed author of "The Fault in Our Stars," discusses the fascinating journey of tracking his attention. He shares insights on human progress, rating everything from wonder to Canadian geese. John also dives into the transformative power of storytelling and the idea of flow in our daily tasks, showcasing how games like Mario Kart reflect life's complexities. Through humor and personal anecdotes, he emphasizes the significance of community, nostalgia, and the balance between focus and connection in our lives.
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insights INSIGHT
The Importance of Attention
John Green realized that passively consuming information hindered his joy and wonder.
He decided to practice sustained attention, leading to his book of in-depth reviews.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Writing from a Personal Perspective
John Green's wife, Sarah, advised him to include his personal perspective in his reviews.
She emphasized that in the Anthropocene, everyone is a participant, not just an observer.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Finding Reward in Attention
Pay careful, sustained attention to things.
Almost everything can become intellectually and emotionally rewarding.
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Published in 1925, 'The Great Gatsby' is a tragic love story, a mystery, and a social commentary on American life during the Jazz Age. The novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, who moves to Long Island and becomes entangled in the lives of his wealthy and mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby, and Gatsby's obsession to win back his first love, Daisy Buchanan. The story delves into themes of honesty, the temptations of wealth, and the struggle to escape the past, ultimately reflecting on the disintegration of the American Dream.
Turtles all the way down
Gaye Shortland
This book is a work of fiction by Gaye Shortland, published in 1997. It continues the tales of characters based in Cork city, although specific details about the plot are limited in available sources.
The Anthropocene Reviewed
Essays on a Human-Centered Planet
John Green
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
This was an episode of Taken for Granted, but now the podcast is called ReThinking with Adam Grant, and it’s back with weekly episodes. You can listen to them right here in the WorkLife feed, or by following ReThinking with Adam Grant wherever you are right now.
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