My Post-Election Thoughts 

A friend of mine said that one candidate represents what's wrong with the government & the other represents what's wrong with society.

Gentle reminder: Nerdfighteria, if you don't want the comment section to be full of poor-quality discourse, you have a magic weapon: THE +. (That said, I'm totally replying to baiting comments, so I'm a terrible example!) And please take care of yourself. I'm going to read an actual book this evening rather than trying to ride the wave of endless information online. -John

Here is the problem I see. What if you *do* reach out to other people and treat them as an equal but *they* are irrational? I know that stinks of bias but...what if you come out of your echo chamber but they wont leave theirs?

I love how he quotes kamala harris and now she is vice president nominee

I'm so scared. When I read the comments for Trump's victory speech, all the comment we're hate on Muslims.

Well wishes from Canada.

I'm not gonna lie, I teared up at your delivery of that poem. My hope continue to soar forevermore!

in 2020, this video makes me immeasurably sad.

I think the biggest difference between the two sides is that one side thinks everyone can get along and the other side doesn't.

As a technically female LGBT+ poc, I am terrified. But I hope, I hold so much hope, that we can get through this.

Sad for all the 11 million undocumented immigrants who didn't have a voice today, but pay the taxes, and work in this country, and are here for a better future.

Revisiting. I love how brave you were then and how encouraging to all of us to be brave, too. Now I'm trying to encourage you. Things have changed more than anyone could imagine. Keep up the great work, and We are pulling for you!

"We have to be better at listening to each other and challenging each other."-John. I agree 100% Even in nerdfightaria there are some definite subjects that are touchy. For example, Christianity is not welcomed. I think people will say that it is, but believe me as a Christian I find myself being judged often for it. As more of a libertarian/republican I can say that I feel very judged here for my beliefs. I know that the majority of nerdfighters try to be accepting, but there will always be some who aren't. I do believe that someday we will be better at listening and understanding each other.

Personally I feel the popular vote should mean more than the electoral college because the popular vote is what the PEOPLE want

I realize that this is a huge setback for the liberal minded people of the US. But on the other hand it had the effect that politicians in my own country in Europe are saying: "Well now WE have to stand up for Democracy and human rights and being just to everybody even more. Let's make this a sign that we can do better." It gives me hope that my own government still holds on to its ideals, no matter how much it derailed in the last years. Stay strong, people of the USA, in the end it's the everyday acts of the common folk that make or break a country, not those voted into office.

Crazy how time progresses... John quotes Kamala Harris back in 2016 as a not well known Senator-elect and now she’s the Vice President-elect!!! Wild times!!

Ok. Deep breaths. It's going to be alright.

Poor America. And I thought Britain was bad with Brexit, Then America was like "hold my drink, wait till you see this"!

Never really thought Trump would win, I mean, the internet has been making fun of him so much that I can't take him seriously. Seeing him win the election made me feel uncomfortable, a living meme just became America's president. I don't really know anything to say anymore since I don't have any advanced knowledge of American Politics. And as I am typing this it is like 3 in the morning struggling to do my homework and I am so sleepy that I can't judge this normally as I would. Sorry if I keep rambling, it's just that I always dreamed of settling in America, but after all this, it made me lose hope. But let's not overreact, it's just getting started!

If we keep wanting these next four years to be bad, they will be bad. I didn't vote Trump, but please give him a chance, and encourage others to be optimistic as well.

Lets be honest here. The nerdfighter community and to a great extent the Green brothers reinforce the echo chamber of ideology. Differing points of view a largely ostracised and conforming opinions are drowned out of the discussion by the use of the "+" in comment threads. The nerfighter community doesn't know how because it doesn't try and that is largely due to it's thought leadership softly but firmly pushing away dissenting voices and conflicts of opinion. In sort, working as designed.

Greetings from the UK. We have gone through this feelings and values shock already this year. We will get through this together, better than apart

Hey, everyone. I love you. Just wanted to let you know, okay? Holding the line, Mike

For me this is a bitter sweet victory (emphases on the bitter). I don't like Trump at all but I honestly didn't feel that Hilary was necessarily the better option either.

I'm afraid of what the next four years hold in store for us. Hillary Clinton herself may not have been the ideal choice for president, but she is by far a much better person than Donald Trump ever will be.

I know people are distressed at the results of the election, but can we just take a moment to appreciate that the US can change leaders without someone getting shot, or beheaded, or strangled with a bowstring, or stabbed 23 times on the senate floor?

If Trump does a good job, people can just relax and be happy. If he doesn't, people will vote him out in 4 years and gradually repair the damage. So, there is no reason to despair. This won't be our last election.

John, I'm one of the 4% who took the census and said I would vote for Trump. I'm commenting not to attack others or even defend myself. I simply wanted to say thank you. For this video and everything else you've done in these months leading up to the election. And to say that I agree, we've all been living in echo chambers. But I've never felt that way about the vlogbrothers or Nerdfighteria. I disagree with some on politics, but I'm okay with that because I am never treated with hatred. Perhaps we don't understand one another like we should, but the least we can do is respond with respect and...well, understanding. Even where I disagree with you or others in the community, I've never felt insulted, mocked, or marginalized, which is more than I can say for other communities including my own. I can stand on my beliefs, but I also have never been more ashamed of and and angry at my own friends and family for how they've been treating other people who disagree with them, on both sides of the election. You've taught me to listen and to be kind, even to those you disagree with, even when they don't return the favor. Thank you.

The first thing you want to do if you really want to understand the other side is to stop demonizing them.

"I don't know how to make our community more inclusive without opening it up to cruelty and hatred." John Green, How about not assuming dissenting voices naturally imply cruelty and hatred? Just a thought.

"Trump attacks not what people believe, but who they are... like their religion." Wait.... wut?

What a sober and nuanced response. Years later this is still reassuring

You have to get better at admitting you are wrong when you are wrong.

Last time I was this early, Hilary was leading the polls.

Should have selected Sanders.

Thank you for this. It has been a tough, incredibly disheartening few days. But this is the spark of hope I needed. We will heal, and we will heal stronger. It's up to us.

John, I've been listening to you and Hank for years now because you are very smart and have a great way of expressing yourself. As a conservative, I have been helped by you to understand my liberal loved ones better. Many times I disagree with things you say but still can't help appreciating you for your heart.That was the prelude for my response to something you said in this video (1:24) "But I don't know how to make our community more inclusive without opening it up to cruelty and hatred". It sounds as if you think that conservatives have the monopoly on cruelty and hatred. That has not been my experience. I did not vote for Trump but some of my friends did and they are worried that their liberal friends will find out. Why? Because they've already made cruel statements about what kind of person would vote for Trump. So here's what I'd like to see from you and I sincerely believe you just might be the man for the job. Open up as best you can to be inclusive and when you see the hatred come out (and it will - from both sides) school us on how to understand each other. My favorite video of all time that you made was "Pretty Bad Ways to Start a Conversation". What a great tutorial to begin with.May God bless you as you continue to use your voice to make America and the world a better place. Thank you for all the hard work.

This is my favorite video response I've seen for the election results so far. Thank you for sharing some hope while acknowledging the fear so many of us have.

I am a 22 year old college student, and I kept my support for trump to myself. Everyone online seemed to be voting for Hillary, and my perception was that if you were a Donald Trump supporter, you are bad. No discussion about the actual political issues, just straight to "how could you support a man who said all these hateful things?". The truth is, I value the actual policies and political beliefs rather than the distracting tabloid worthy headlines. The fact that you cannot even fathom or respect someone for voting for Donald Trump is the reason why your community is so one sided. I hope this helps you understand why you have a lack of diversity here when it comes to the full political spectrum.

John, Thanks you for everything you have and continue to do to make this world a better place. Keep pushing forward. As a teacher in PA your videos have reminded me how important it is for each of us to take what we are tasked with in life and to use it to better the lives of those around us. Your final words have brought me more encouragement than any commentator or discussion I've had post election. "Take care of yourselves, take care of each other". Have a great day John.

To the party that won, congratulations. To the parties that lost, my condolences. To those who voted, thank you. To those who did not, I hope you will next time. To those who voted third party/independent specifically, I applaud you for standing for what you believe in no matter what others have said. I am a human being. I am an American. I will not be defined solely on who runs the country that I live in. I believe that people are defined by the actions that they create. I also believe that people are defined even more by how they face the consequences of their actions. The world is not fair, it is not perfect, and it is an extremely dark and terrible place. But, the world can be great, it can be amazing, and it can be better. I want to be better. I want to prove to the world, to god, to the universe, and to myself that I can be better. I want to do good in this world, and I hope that whoever reads this wants to do good as well. The future is not set in stone. I will patiently await to see what these four years have in store for our country and for our world. To those that this election effects the most, I will stand with you. To the people that voted independent or really anyone who made and educated decision I thank you so much. Our lives are always changing. I believe it was Confucius who said: "I learn one thing and I understand everything". To that I say, I learn one thing and yet I have everything to learn. To the ones that did not expect defeat I truly am sorry. But, look to this not just a defeat but as an opportunity. The bell for the match has rung. For now, rest up, heal, grow, and learn. So when that bell rings for the next round and you emerge from your corner of the ring, come back with a vengeance and come into it swinging. To those who voted third party/independent who may doubt their decisions, I want to tell you something. No matter what anyone says, no matter what you see on social media or on the news, your vote matters. It will always matter. Your voice, your opinion, your thoughts, they all matter. One of my biggest fears is that I have no mouth and I must scream. If you believe that you wasted your vote then you are correct. It is always difficult to stand for what you believe in but it is always harder when there is no one beside you. Stand strong, stand for what you believe in, fight for what you hold dear, and do not give up when hope seems gone. I am a human being. I am an American. I will not be defined solely by the person that runs the country I live in. I want to be better. I want to do good. I have a mouth and I will scream until I cannot.

We *do* have to get better at *"listening to each other and **_challenging_** each other."* I have always been liberal, but this safe space, trigger warning, micro-aggression "SJW" BS has made that (sometimes necessarily offensive and aggressive) dialogue almost impossible. And as a result, in the shadows, the alt-right has been left to fester and grow into a movement that shocked and blindsided us. We need to go back to having open debates and giving our opponents a chance to defend themselves, even if they are with the most deplorable of people with the most despicable ideologies. Without this, we cannot defeat them in open battle. Let your opponent run their mouth, then run roughshod over them and *showing* those reasonable agnostics who may be watching *why* their ideas are wrong. Without this, we are locked in our echo-chambers, where not a single mind will be changed.

What I don't understand about people voting for Trump is that part of their reasoning is that it goes against the establishment of voting for politicians who cater to the elite. Alright then so instead of voting for the middle man you directly vote for the ELITE???? Trump is a member of the 1% and elite so how could this logic make any sense.

John, thank you for being a voice of reason and calm. This is the second time I've watched this now. I needed it. And I'm glad there are other voices like yours out there.

"Not all Trump voters are bigots, but all bigots are Trump voters."

Part of the 4% here. You say you want to fight the powerful, but you turn around and support Hillary. Odd.

John Green for president 2020!!!

John, I'll be honest, I found you through coming across Hank's stuff on RU-vid Shorts. I've never read your books, but I am going to now. Your way of thinking about the world is inspiring, and I really need that right now. "I don't think hope is unrealistic or silly. I think it is the founding emotion of our species." Those words hit me harder than any that I have ever heard. Thank-you -Conor MacGabhann

If you can breathe a sigh of relief by Trump becoming president then you truly know what it feels like to be privileged in every word of the sense. I have LGBT friends (myself included), scared that their marriage rights will be taken away due to Trump and Pence both being anti-lgbt. I have minority friends scared their friends and family are going to get deported back to their countrys even though they were born here. I have Muslim friends scared that they will be treated even more harshly now. The only people benefiting from Trump becoming president are cis straight white christian Americans. It's easy to say that you, an individual, may not feel the same way as Trump/Pence but that's not going to change what they have repeatedly said they stands for. And I'm absolutely terrified.

I'm German, and the US election is more discussed in the media than our own elections...this is how important this is to us. And everyone I talked to today about the results is shocked and kind of afraid of the future now.

John Green - "I want conservatives to feel included, but I don't want to open this up to cruelty and hatred". Way to make us feel included John. Pre-judging people much? You're just waiting for me to say something hateful so you can say "ah hah, told you so". You have no true desire to "bring people together". Thanks for making me a proud Trump supporter John.

I just wanted to tell you that whenever I feel down, I always come back to this video and I feel hope in my heart again. Thank you for that.

Here to lovingly represent the "other side." #RepublicansAgainstHateAndFear

Thank you, Mr. Green, well said. I feel shocked and so sorry for the USA, you didn't deserve this. :/ I agree that there must have been a big amount of wrong or contradictory information out there, causing the huge disagreement, but I still don't get how people could possibly support Trump after some of the things he said.

I've disagreed politically with John and Hank since I started watching vlogbrothers years ago. The reason I still watch them is because of this video. John is eloquent in his thoughts and represents his opinions well. He challenges me as a conservative with his views and facts, and that forces me to solidify my beliefs with facts. The country needs more of this. John and Hank never name call and "go low". They put out highly informational videos that challenge their audience. I appreciate that I'm not name called and talked down to. I show your videos to my students and they may not like what you say, but it challenges them. Thank you vlogbrothers, you have a viewer for life.

I support trump. No, I did not vote for him. No I wasn't hopefully on him becoming president. But he is. And I love my country. And no matter how much I 'protest' or I say "he's not my president", he's this country's president. And this is my country. It's my job to be a better person than I was yesterday, a better leader, a better citizen, a better American. And I'm not going to do that if I encourage discourse in our country.

Why are so many LGBT people claiming to be scared of their marriage rights? First of all, Trump is pro LGBT, secondly, any other conservative would be much stricter about that issue than Trump himself. If I were a conservative and Clinton won I could say "I'm scared that Russia will nuke us now". Just because I would possess a certain feeling does not mean I am correct.

John, I think you're raising the right question: How do we start to understand each other better? Nerdfighteria has been, for me, a relatively safe place. But it certainly isn't that way for everyone, and I know you and Hank are aware of that. Unfortunately, I don't think it's possible to be inclusive without opening ourselves up to pain and hatred. I'm starting to think the internet is a great place to bring like-minded people together, but an inadequate forum for trying to resolve our differences. Maybe it is okay for Nerdfighteria to continue to be the haven it is, and we can encourage each other to broaden out, little by little. Start with someone you know. Someone you agree with on some things, not others. See if you can come to any common ground with that person. And maybe the wound can begin to heal, with millions of tiny stitches from all of us. Also, this is the first time I've actually interacted in the community, so I'll just say that I hope this comment made some sense and that I'm representing myself and the community well. I'm not even sure what I'm trying to articulate here. I just wish there was more I could do.

"I don't know how to open our community up more without inviting cruelty and hatred." Here's a thought: how about not painting everyone who disagrees with you as cruel and hateful? No? Well it was worth a try anyway...

I have never seen him this serious I am so terrified. "Take care of yourself and take of each other"

I voted for Trump, and I love everything you guys do. Remember, the most important kind of diversity is intellectual diversity.

...I was waiting for this video

Presidents often get too much credit when times are good and often get too much blame when times are bad.

john, thank you so much for your thoughts. i'm so glad you chose to speak up about the election and not remain silent, especially since you have such a large following. i hope your words reach the minds of people who think otherwise. in response to your asking for guidance from us, i'd say to always keep in mind your privilege as a white male. while i definitely agree that it is important to keep hope in these difficult times, i think this message can come off as insensitive to poc, immigrants, muslims, the lgbtq+ community, and other minority groups that were targeted by trump's hateful, dangerous rhetoric and potential policies along with the overwhelming number of horrifying incidents of harassment and hate crimes against these groups that have occurred since the election.

WE DID IT GUYS, WHERE MY 4% THAT HELPED MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN?!

Thank you John. We're all scared but I'm also resolved to work harder to make our country better and safer.

Thank you John, I think we all needed this right now. I sure did. I am terrified of the future under Trump but as you pointed out people of the past have faced worse and prevailed. So we carry on.

It quite simply comes down to nationalism vs globalism. The interests and protection of U.S. citizens must always come first.

Listen, I and my wife (an Ecuadorian) voted for Trump. No, I don't support the negativity but I don't support what Clinton has been doing either. It really bothers me that people are labeling Trump supporters with such negative connotations, as if we are terrible people and support some sort of hate mongering. Look, you do not know my core values nor those of other Trump supporters. Stop with the labeling. My wife received a lot of backlash from her family and Hispanic friends because she voted for Trump. Many of them accused her of all sorts of things and the mentality was that Hispanics had to vote for Clinton. I mean, what gives guys? Are we not allowed to pick a candidate without being labeled or having people try to make us feel bad for who we supported? This is what disgusts me.

Thank you for posting this. It is just what I needed to hear. I plan to show this to my high school students to also offer them some hope. Many are feeling that America is doomed. I appreciate your wisdom and your video.

John, Why do you propagate and justify the ridiculous notion that people have something to fear because Trump is now the president? It's absurd and disappointing coming from somebody who's supposed to be educated.

Reporting to you from November 7, 2020 and I have some excellent news.

I have the greatest respect for you, John Green and your work to show people how to love learning. I think the most important thing we can do is really listen to one another and approach life with a deep compassion for humanity. Few times have I resented someone after I heard their story. I'm a moderate conservative, and my hope is to see the Republican Party move towards defending the oppressed.

No matter what happens in the government, we still have the power to love each other

I don't even feel a sense of accomplishment at being this early because i'm so shocked and upset. this video made me feel a little better though

How can anyone not see it coming? When clearly, her rally only managed to muster a few hundred, while his rally was over crowded. I think the digital technology had made people isolated from things outside of their community. People who lived in big cities never seen the struggle outside of their suburb. This also reflected on the voting map. Big cites are mostly blue and the county sides are mostly red.

Our voting system is horrible. We should use Alternative Vote not the electoral college.

Thank you John, for everything you have done this election.

John you are the best. I needed to hear this. I'm crying right now because somehow despite the hopelessness you have made me feel better.

Looks like he's been crying. =(

I think the country needs to get better at communication and make physical efforts to integrate and understand each other. Not everyone is a scholar. Not everyone works with their hands. We are different, but if we stop looking at each other as cartoonishly wrong, I think we can make decisions with each other in mind. Trump became president for a reason. Racism, sexism... bigotry are blanket words we use to turn people into simple figures we can then discount. Why are they so afraid? If we are in it with them, how can we convince them of our perspective? My answer is not words, but experience. We are such a big country, if it were much easier to acclimate. Through education and travel. I think we'd see a less divided America.

Listening has its limits, I can't listen to the incoherent, the double standard, the sentences that fail facts, logic or basic human decency. I will keep listening but I also realize there has been and will always come times when the rationals are the minority; and I would stand fast and happy on their narrower ground.

I'm Canadian and I'm scared. I'm so sorry. I'm so sad. Where do we go from here? How do we not feel hopeless? I thought America was better than this.

I'm surprised by how honest you are about the echo chamber problem.

I'm Canadian and believe me, we are shocked and saddened by this "unfortunate turn of events" I'm heartbroken that your country is so divided that people actually voted him into office. 💔💔💔 Jenn

vlogbrothers is the best

I once had a friend that said this about the candidates. Trump - Embodies what's wrong with the corporate and media worlds. Clinton - Represents what's wrong with the politicians. Stein - Shows what's wrong with environmentalists. Johnson - Shows what's wrong with the U.S. and its view of the world. Make of this what you will.

Thank you. I think you have finally said what I needed to hear after all that has happened. It has been a month, and we are still reeling from the shock. We see so much wrong still happening, but, even though you said this only one day after the election, it is still so relevant because we must remind each other why we continue to live lives of advancement, hope and help for our fellow citizens. We must continue to care, and to offer a helping hand whenever and where ever we see a need. Thank you!

Emily Dickinson

There's a lot of discussion going on now about how this is "just the beginning", and that democracy still goes on between elections, and we have a responsibility to actively take part and work towards a better, more equitable, more inclusive country, despite the outcome of the election. My question is, what is the most effective means of doing so? Rallies? Writing your state representatives and senators? In a country so divided and in a clamor of political discourse so deafening in its divisiveness, how do we effectively go about ensuring our voices are heard? I'm deeply concerned where our country is headed in respect to environmentalism and climate change. But even more so, deeply afraid of where our country is headed with respect to human rights and treatment of minorities. What do we do about it now?

0:30 So I guess we're just gonna pretend that HRC didn't call half of Trump's voting base "A of basket of deplorables"?

I have been having a hard time processing the election and everything that it means. I was not a fan of Hillary, but Donald? Never did I think that that would happen. But it did. I have been hoping for hope. And hoping that I was not going to be wrong again. But, even if I am wrong, what is life without hope? I have read that poem dozens of times, but I never really understood that one part. Hope is indeed that thing that never stops - at all. Thanks, Emily (for writing that). And thanks, John (for reminding me).

You say that you think it's going to be a tough time in U.S. history. Part of the problem with the echo-chambers is that you obviously don't realize that from the perspective of the people who voted for Trump, the last eight years has been a tough time in U.S. history. Why do you think they wanted to change things? So yeah, the next four or eight years might be a tough time for you. And so long as we we continue to play the game as Us vs. Them, there's never going to be a time when half the people in the country aren't seriously discontent with their own leadership.

The problem with opening our views up and being inclusive to our echo chambers is that there'll be people that will dismiss anything that disagrees with their point of view,evidence be damned (and we could be guilty of that as well). There's also the problem of people being vile and hateful purely due to disagreeing with someone that shares different values and views. Both of these things could poison people's outlook on trying to be inclusive to different mindsets and it'd just strengthen the echo chambers already established. Until we as a people can have a civil conversation about our ideas and beliefs without resorting to insults or dismissing facts,we'll just be stuck in a cycle. We need to stop the insults,separate the trolls from those who have legitimate views and listen to them no matter what they think. Because these are the first few steps to changing the grim environment we've created. Listening to each other and treating each other's views with respect

honestly as a Brit, my comparison is Brexit and while the pound has fallen and things have got a little worse, the world has not ended, there has yet to be a profound effect. everything takes time and with time, you can fight, just as with Brexit is being brought into parliament, you too can fight against decisions the new president makes that you make not like. but all I say is those who fear the least, please fight the hardest, because fear prevents others from doing so

When John says "But I don't know how to make our community more inclusive without opening it up to cruelty and hatred" how do you know the cruelty and hatred he's talking about isnt coming from the 96% of people who dont support Trump? I mean, wouldnt it make sense that the majority of the community would target that small 4% who do support Trump? I dont think the hate John's describing is one-sided.

Seeing that you'd made a video brought on a deep breath of comfort and relief. I appreciate your thoughts, John. Thank you.

Hey john I personally voted for Donald trump and I don't Believe in any of the hateful things he has said, but I don't think that those can translate through his presidency. I am a strong conservative and I have faith that our senate and house will keep him in check in terms of anything to do with race or gender if it ever happens, but I hope you stay optimistic and give republicans a chance in government no matter what you believe.

Thank you for those lovely words, John. Even as a European Trump as president is so terrifying that I'm close to tears. I fear that any co-operation with the USA through NATO and the UN and more is in danger. I fear for people in the USA, especially minorities. I fear more wars. In general I'm afraid of what Trump might do. It does not just affect the American people.

While I admit I have a bias towards Trump as I don't really like Clinton, I think many times what Trump says is exaggerated. He doesn't help himself by saying controversial things, but I think that people tend to turn what he says into a more hateful version what he really says.