Hank Green: What No One Tells You About the Algorithm

Hank Green is one of the most beloved science creators on the interwebs. He’s been making videos for almost 20 years, spanning LOTS of eras of the Internet, from YouTube prank videos to TikTok dance challenges to AI slop. In this episode, Wendy sits down with Hank to talk about this wild ride. They reminisce about his path to YouTube stardom, and they’ll pull back the curtain on social media algorithms — how they’ve changed, and the sneaky ways they draw us in. And while Hank has been publicly fighting off internet trolls, he’s also been dealing with his own personal battle with cancer. He takes us through what’s changed for him since he got diagnosed, and the science he learned about pee and chemotherapy along the way. 

Find our transcript here: https://tinyurl.com/ScienceVsHankGreen

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Hank Green’s journey to YouTube

(06:26) How ‘going viral’ has completely changed

(11:58) How social media captures your attention 

(23:47) What Hank is and isn’t worried about with AI

(29:33) Hank’s cancer diagnosis

(37:45) The fracturing of communication

(40:46) Oddball questions

Credits

This episode was produced by Wendy Zukerman and Ekedi Fausther-Keeys, with help from Michelle Dang,  Rose Rimler, and Meryl Horn. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Wendy Zukerman is the executive producer. Video editing and sound mix by Bobby Lord. Music written by Bumi Hidaka, Peter Leonard, Emma Munger and Bobby Lord. Thanks to the Humdinger Studios in Melbourne, and Wolf Island Studios in New York City. 

Science Vs is a Spotify Studios Original. Listen for free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us and tap the bell for episode notifications. You can also find us on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices