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For You Podcast I Episode 11 with Hank Green
Introduction
Welcome back to For You, the official TikTok podcast. I'm your host, Brittany Broski. Today, I had the absolute honor of speaking with Hank Green, a well-known science communicator and creator. And just so you know, yes, I'm wearing hair curlers, and no, you can’t comment on that!
Introducing Hank Green
It was a privilege to chat with Hank Green, who has played a significant role in educating not just me but the entire Gen Z generation online. For those unfamiliar with him, Hank Green is from Missoula, Montana. He wears many hats: he is a science communicator, host of the YouTube show SciShow, creator of Crash Course, and the founder of Complexly, a company that produces educational content. He’s also an author known for writing science fiction novels and has a merchandising company called dftba.com. Hank Green briefly mentioned a recent rumor about appearing in a Criminal Minds reboot, which he found amusing.
The Role of a Science Communicator
When asked about the difference between being a science communicator and a scientist, Hank explained that he hasn't been a scientist for over two decades. While scientists focus on discovering unknown facts about the universe, he has always been passionate about educating others. Throughout his academic life, he enjoyed helping peers understand difficult concepts in science. Eventually, he realized he could merge his love for communication with science, becoming a science communicator, particularly through digital platforms.
Hank reflected on the joy of learning and the reasons people engage with education. He emphasized three motivations: the necessity of school, the desire to excel in life, and most importantly, the joy and curiosity of understanding the universe.
Impact on Modern Education
Hank spoke on how projects like SciShow and Crash Course have become essential resources in classrooms worldwide. Their content continues to be widely used today. His frustration was evident when he stated how bizarre it is that his projects have had such a strong impact while traditional media companies have failed to create similar educational content. He lamented the ongoing issues within the education system in the United States and its reliance on outdated material.
TikTok: A New Frontier
Turning to TikTok, Hank shared his journey of initially lurking on the platform until he decided to post content in late 2019. The pandemic was a turning point, presenting him with ample free time to explore TikTok. Despite his early skepticism about teaching through such short videos, he found ways to engage and inform audiences effectively.
Fun and Games: Trivia with Hank
During the episode, Brittany challenged Hank with a trivia game where they touched upon various fun facts and debunked common misconceptions. Hank showcased an impressive knowledge of trivia, revealing that rubber bands do last longer when refrigerated and that dodo birds once roamed the earth.
Prioritizing Passion and Purpose
In their conversation, Hank shared invaluable advice for aspiring creators: the success of being on platforms like TikTok can open many doors, even if they don’t lead directly to a long-term creative career. He noted that the lessons learned through creating content are applicable in many fields. Regardless of whether or not they gain fame, the skills acquired can be useful elsewhere.
Conclusion
As the conversation wrapped up, Hank reminded listeners that regardless of one's path, it's crucial to find joy in the process and remember that every experience, even those outside the spotlight, holds value.
Catch Hank on TikTok (@hankgreen1), and enjoy his wide array of educational content on various platforms!
Keywords
- Hank Green
- Science communicator
- SciShow
- Crash Course
- TikTok
- Education
- Project for Awesome
- Trivia
FAQ
1. Who is Hank Green?
Hank Green is a science communicator, host of SciShow, creator of Crash Course, an author, and the founder of Complexly.
2. What is the difference between a scientist and a science communicator?
A scientist seeks to discover unknown facts about the universe, while a science communicator shares knowledge and helps others understand science.
3. How has Hank Green impacted modern education?
His projects like SciShow and Crash Course have become widely used educational resources in classrooms around the world, helping educate a generation.
4. What advice did Hank Green give to aspiring creators?
Hank advised that success on platforms like TikTok can lead to various valuable career opportunities, highlighting the importance of finding joy in the creative process.
5. How did Hank Green get started on TikTok?
He started exploring TikTok during the pandemic and has since embraced creating educational content for the platform.