I strongly approve of John's beard.

@taliesinbreen

9 жыл бұрын

Also, the vide was very interesting and educational. But dat beard.

@mitchkat123

9 жыл бұрын

He's close to WheezyWaiter bread status.

@h4r71cu5

9 жыл бұрын

Yeah, keep the beard John

@emilyayres7687

9 жыл бұрын

***** do you mean beard? because wheezy also has a pretty noble bread status.

@Sekuroon1

9 жыл бұрын

I also approve but make sure to tell Hank he should keep one going as well.

I wonder how they interpret these verses from the Quran: [18:29] "…whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve." [4:94] "…when you go forth [to fight] in the cause of Allah, investigate; and do not say to one who gives you [a greeting of] peace "You are not a believer," aspiring for the goods of worldly life." [5:8] "…do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just." [8:61] "And if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allah."

@HamzaSayedAli

9 жыл бұрын

This is really nice.

@h4r71cu5

9 жыл бұрын

QTHERESSERECTION Love your username, just had to say it.

@HamzaSayedAli

9 жыл бұрын

***** I think its just that some people think that Islam is a violent religion and its important to understand that's its not if you are in favor of not classifying an entire group of people as one thing.

@HamzaSayedAli

9 жыл бұрын

h4r71cu5 Thanks!

@GreenOnionBrother

9 жыл бұрын

The problem is that a lot of things can be interpreted in different ways and since Allah isn't gonna come down from heaven to clarify nobody can prove them wrong. These interpretations are a result of poverty and deep anger that they use to justify their acting out against everyone else. WHen their leader became a martyr everything just became more and more extreme. None of this would have happened had the North been supported porperly from the beginning.

I would just like to say that this is one of the most civil comment sections when considering the content in the video. So thank you for that

@aronpuma5962

9 жыл бұрын

you are very welcome

@colonelweird

9 жыл бұрын

Just wait ... the flood of sh*t is coming.

@UrMuddur

9 жыл бұрын

***** surprisingly the most offensive comment on a video regarding religious extremists, so... yea sure. POOP

@G96Saber

9 жыл бұрын

It is. Haven't seen any blaming the British either, which is unusual.

@Scias

9 жыл бұрын

G96Saber We can probably call that progress

John, thank you so much for adding context to the news we hear about this group. I would greatly appreciate something like a Crash Course: Current Events that could add context to the events we hear that the news media often either A. distorts or B. doesn't contextualize which makes them difficult to understand.

@estellet1406

9 жыл бұрын

What if Crash Course was like a regular news station that reported on stuff like this?!? Life would be so much better..

@MrDylan2125

9 жыл бұрын

Estelle Timar-Wilcox I support this comment in it's entirety. And would also support it with my money if it actually happened.

@estellet1406

9 жыл бұрын

PrimevalDragon The only downside is, I would spend my entire life on the crash course news...

@MrDylan2125

9 жыл бұрын

Estelle Timar-Wilcox If that's the worst downside, then it would be an awesome downside.

@Voxeran

9 жыл бұрын

PrimevalDragon Check out The Trews on KZread by Russell Brand. Pretty much what you are describing. It is very ethnocentric to the UK and slightly bias to left wing philosophies, but its really good if you want a channel that looks at the true motives of mainstream media

The puff has migrated south for the winter.

@vlogbrothers

9 жыл бұрын

brilliant. -John

@KatyCunningham

9 жыл бұрын

Omg yesss :D

@savannahschmidt5330

9 жыл бұрын

Exactly what I was thinking. Brr!

@KelliMcGraw

9 жыл бұрын

The puff, now joined by a scruff.

@phoenix.opossum

9 жыл бұрын

I think this is one of the best comments that I've seen in a long time :D

MORE VIDEOS ON AFRICA!!!!!!, schools literally teach us nothing about African history or pretty much anything but that its full of black people and it's poor, but your few videos on Africa has given me more insight on what Africa really is than 11 years of public education has.

@nancypineda3973

9 жыл бұрын

So true! At least in my country I learn nothing about Africa, and for the media you can't learn much as a few paragraph in the corner of a newspaper, is so sad considering how horrible as become

@CrazyPhilMachine

9 жыл бұрын

Because you learn about your own country first, if you go to a US school, then you will be learning about the US, and if you go to a European school, you will be learning about Europe. Africa is just way to sad. If you join a UN club that some schools have, you will be learning about problems that the UN faces, including many in Africa.

@stripedsweater520

9 жыл бұрын

Craze Phil But even when students take world history around 11th grade .. there's still not much information on African history.

@CrazyPhilMachine

9 жыл бұрын

stripedsweater520 Because European and Asian history are just more important to us today. There were many great African empires, yes. But European is just more important to us today. Sorry but that is just the truth.

@stripedsweater520

9 жыл бұрын

Craze Phil I know they have more significance in terms of business, politics and etc.... But, to me it still doesn't mean we just ignore it. At least do some coverage to educate people or get them curious about the current events going on in Africa/The Middle East. Nothing against you or anything, but, in my opinion, it's interesting and more people should be interested in it.

I've gotten so used to hearing these things on the news that I automatically tuned out this video about four times and had to rewind to hear what I'd missed. It's like my brain has a default filter for awful statistics. And even though I know that this is a problem and I want to be aware, part of me is still reluctant to even think about it.

@estellet1406

9 жыл бұрын

Same here... some of the numbers seemed to go over my head

@ellalevad5104

9 жыл бұрын

I do the same thing. I watched this video twice because I got detracted.

@vlogbrothers

9 жыл бұрын

This is an important comment.

@scottglajch1555

9 жыл бұрын

From my (obviously biased) place I would say that the part of you that is still reluctant to even think about it, is probably reluctant due to *how* you have to think about it. Compared to most news sources, in a video like this you are practically being begged to make decisions for yourself about how you receive and process this information. Your brain is probably doing its job well in trying to "tune it out", and you're likely conflicted because you know you should (or want to partially) not "tune it out". Perhaps after hearing awful statistics that seem very un-actionable to you, your brain is trying to force you to consider the issues and problems in a new light, with new types of information (instead of just how many X happened this week). Of course I have no answers for you, but I would recommend not looking down on the part of you that wants to tune it out. Instead investigate and try to understand that part of you! Don't be too afraid of the conclusions you draw.

@jodi4558

9 жыл бұрын

***** What are you thinking about? Or are you going to answer it in a video? Or both?

In which John Green discusses Nigeria, its complicated history, and how that history has shaped the region from which the Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram emerged. Also discussed is the history of Boko Haram itself and its recent atrocities. And here is your standard reminder that educational videos are allowed to be over 4 minutes long. Some links for further reading: A basic overview of Boko Haram from the bbc: www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13809501 A timeline of Boko Haram's attacks: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Boko_Haram_insurgency A detailed introduction to Boko Haram: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boko_Haram A good overview of how Islam came to sub-saharan Africa: www.dhspriory.org/kenny/Sist.htm More info on the 1967-1970 Nigerian Civil War: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigerian_Civil_War

@zeldasidener4330

9 жыл бұрын

Great video John! Thanks for helping me and all of my peers understand this tough issue. As a member of he LGBT community, I must ask... Thoughts on Leelah Alcorn?

@bilalsiddiqui7490

9 жыл бұрын

Diana Peña​​​ There was a man in the 1920s who talked no different than you. Then he become leader.. keep it up!

@annikaarora

9 жыл бұрын

Diana Peña I think he just added that for people who aren't as aware and haven't concerned themselves with the issues but only learnt through broad media portrayal. Great video by the way!

@davidcolera8160

9 жыл бұрын

Thank you John for once again saying things that need to be said. Perhaps you can do a news channel where we hear more about news and less about Paris Hilton's new boobs or whatever.

@DKnarugioh93

9 жыл бұрын

Diana Peña are you trolling or do you truly believe what you wrote?

Thanks so much for making this video John. Im Nigerian but I live in the UK but I feel like quite a few people don't really know about or care about anything that happens that doesn't directly effect them. Its mice to know someone cares...

@Doomroar

9 жыл бұрын

They are racist, i bet the same people that didn't care about what happened in Nigeria were talking about that thing in France, they could at least don't care for neither at all.

@TV-hf1go

9 жыл бұрын

Black Americans do. We are descendent from you. We think?

@Cha4k

9 жыл бұрын

RoarOfDamnation Boko Haram is huge news in the west. And if it seemed to you that people in the UK cared more about what happened in France its not because of racism, Its because the UK is right next to France and a lot of people have friends and family living there. Perhaps you are the one who is making racist assumptions? In the issue of the magazine immediately following the massacre in their offices, Charle Hebdo drew attention to what Boko Haram is doing in Nigeria and how it's a much bigger crisis than what happened to them.

@Doomroar

9 жыл бұрын

***** It is a sympathy problem at core, so to say that i shouldn't pull the sympathy card on a sympathy issue is nonsense, because yes is indeed as you say they are not obliged to feel pity for the Nigerians, because no one is obliged to feel any certain way to anyone else, and when we are talking feelings we are talking about sympathy. Sympathy that is lacking towards a bigger issue just because, yes they are different, they are a bunch of blacks dying on the poor part of an African country, and that is racism, the selective choice of when to feel sorry about something and when not. Personally i don't care about neither the case in France nor the Nigerian one, but at least i have the decency to be consistent on my apathy, unlike you all who come with excuses to something that is clear, just like +Cha4k his comment is reduced to in group sympathy, but only applies to people who actually have family in France, and are racist cartoonist, in your case your stupid excuse is that since Nigeria has been unable to recover from the screw up that the British empire gave them, then it is ok for no one to care since it is their own fault that shit is happening to them, however that is not the point, the point is not come to the realization of not caring about someone else's circumstances, and instead of recognizing your lack of sympathy come with a bunch of shitty excuse to justify your, by general standards, lack of humanity, at least have the decency to openly say "i am bastard and i don't care, because i just don't care". Like me i am a bastard, i don't care, but at least i am not a fucking hypocrite.

@JuanDVene

9 жыл бұрын

Oyin Toluhi I feel the same way when it comes to Venezuela. I live in the US, but still.

I feel like educational videos need to have some sort of beginning title card of like "HEY THIS IS EDUCATIONAL NO PUNISHMENT NECESSARY" to ward off commenters who comment before they actually finish watching the video.

@KnightRaymund

9 жыл бұрын

maybe they enjoy watching to see how many idiots post

@spriddlez

9 жыл бұрын

I think that should have been "to ward off commenters who comment before they actually START watching the video". People see the time code and jump to the comments immediately.

@michaelmoreno5823

9 жыл бұрын

Its in the doobly doo

@blownspeakersss

9 жыл бұрын

Why? There's no need to cater to people who don't know the system.

@ghuegel

9 жыл бұрын

The title sort of gives it away.

I like your current events and political videos, John. Very enlightening. I had heard of much of this already as I prefer to keep up to date, but unfortunately some of the more recent Boko Haram events I had been oblivious to, much to my shame. It's very nice to read your comment section and see the open-mindedness and lack of bigotry. It's so much better than any other video, when one mention of the word Islam or atheism, etc etc etc, causes a train wreck in the comments. Nerdfighters are so civilized!

@aronpuma5962

9 жыл бұрын

Thank you~

@TheVlog

9 жыл бұрын

I always enjoy the quality of discourse around here

Thanks for this. As a vlogbrothers fan and someone who studies Boko Haram for a living, this is very important to me. Its been interesting seeing how people think about them and what they are doing. Especially compared to the attacks in France. The attacks in France were terrible and the solidarity that the world showed was heartwarming, but on that same day, Boko Haram strapped a bomb to a child (they've started doing that recently) and sent her into a market. The attack killed ~14 people, and was unnoticed by the world. That weekend was when several villages were attacked in the north killing up to 1.5k people. I'm not sure why we care so little about these events, perhaps we are desensitized to them or perhaps they feel too far away to insight our outrage. Whats worse is I think about how they must feel (and know from reading their newspapers) about how the world rallies around an event in France that literally happens every day in Nigeria (there were 28 attacks last month). In any case, I'm glad this audience will think about them today. And the more we think about it, the more we might demand something be done about it.

@moviemadness2009

9 жыл бұрын

I want to thank you for what you do. I've never heard anyone say they study a terrorist group for a living, but I'm really glad someone does, because I sure don't have the guts to do it. These events are becoming further exposed everyday because of people like you and the education being put out into the mainstream. Thank you.

@GarethField

9 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure why someone who 'studies' this is asking why 'we' don't feel badly about atrocities incurred. What are you on about? Under-reporting isn't rocket science.

@SuperKing604

9 жыл бұрын

we're not desensitized its just people can only worry and care about so much, i know how that sounds but its human nature, fatigue sets in and we gotta put some things out of our minds to function. plus it depends on how its covered in the media ALSO unfortunately a massacre in some parts of the world is met with "what else is new attitude) while the france shooting shocked people because its in a place no one would expect there to be a shooting and the reason (cartoons) seemed ridiculous (as if the stuff boko is doing isn't rediculous).

@elephantjunkie00

9 жыл бұрын

I absolutely HATE writing this, but I think people care about events more when they identify with them, socially, economically, and even race. A bunch of Africans got killed? Women get raped there trying to get clean water? Kids are recruited into armies at 8 years old? It has been happening for years, governments don't care or won't do anything about it because why? They are poor and black? Because there is oil in the country? Bummer! But educated, white people get killed in Paris and the whole world stops and watches. It reminds me a bit of when Jon Benet Ramsey was murdered. Rich, cute, blonde, white 5 year old from very vanilla Boulder, Colorado. It is in the news for YEARS. How many minority children die in this country every day and never get press? It makes me very sad. Can we only be upset with what is happening in the world if the people that horrible things are happening to, look like us? Read the same religious books? Have the same sort of jobs? The media often stays totally away from stories about what has been happening in Africa for a very long time....but kill a white girl from Virginia, kill your baby girl in Florida and bury her down the road from you, kill your pregnant wife in California and the media will shove it down our throats for years. 14 people die in Africa? You get nothing.

@Doomroar

9 жыл бұрын

Well the french are white and European, and Nigerians are black and African, and racism plays a big role in here.

Before anyone mentions punishment...... EDUCATIONAL VIDEO EXCEPTION

@linds9846

9 жыл бұрын

Aww, I had a great punishment idea...

@shazraasmy

9 жыл бұрын

Lindsey Miller and you didnt even share it with us

@GreenOnionBrother

9 жыл бұрын

Wait, I forgot, aren't the punishments only for when they miss a video?

@estellet1406

9 жыл бұрын

There are also punishments for non-educational videos over 4 minutes.

@GreenOnionBrother

9 жыл бұрын

Estelle Timar-Wilcox Oh right, I forgot^^

And here come all of the people who hate Islam because of the acts of a few people... Come on nerdfighters, I thought we were better than this!

@aronpuma5962

9 жыл бұрын

I think compared to most comment sections for a similar video we're doing better at least

@willharmer4987

9 жыл бұрын

It is not just the acts of the few, but the justification from the many. This is the most wide-scale poll of international Muslims. I would recommend going to the section on apostasy or regarding Muslim attitudes towards social issues, like divorce, abortion, and homosexuality. www.pewforum.org/2013/04/30/the-worlds-muslims-religion-politics-society-overview/

@lysjones

9 жыл бұрын

I'm just waiting on the marches and leaders of Islam to come out against the atrocious acts that those 'few' commit. Where are the Muslim clerics telling the world that these 'few' are not in the main stream. The only people apologizing for their actions are the outside defenders who want to keep telling me how good Islam is...

@lachlanchang8345

9 жыл бұрын

Because of the acts of a few people? I began to hate Islam after reading the Quran

@mskillzeee

9 жыл бұрын

Lachlan Chang So you also hate Christianity after reading the Bible? Give me a break...

I spent most of a year teaching at a school in Ondo State, Nigeria some time ago and appreciate your summative explanations, but would like to add one thing. You mention a difference between the level of education and development the British colonizers brought to the South as compared to the North, but just as distinctive in Africa is the difference between the education and development found in countries that were French (e.g. Togo) and those that were English (Nigeria) because it's like night and day. Even in small villages throughout Togo, it was not unusual to spot someone sitting down with a copy of Le Monde, (the Parisian version of the Times). It was also evident in the diet (and palate) of the two countries, where you could get genuine cuisine throughout Togo and...not in Nigeria. Simply put, the French were more open and sharing with the native people and cultures while they were there, and the differences remain. (DISCLAIMER: This was some time ago and I was just a college student at the time, not a trained sociologist or anthropologist; things may have changed in the years since then, but I found it fascinating and thought it might be worth mentioning to anyone interested.)

@takone3691

2 жыл бұрын

thank you

Things like this make me terrified of how my life would have turned out without education. Like, would I generalize atrocities like this to include the entirety of Muslims? Just thinking about that makes me sad. I'm just so grateful for these videos shedding light on topics. And John, thank you for always reminding me to imagine complexly through your books and videos. Its the biggest impact you've made on me.

Thank you so much for this. These videos are definitely my favorites because the regular news only gives us the extremes and rarely takes time to explain how we got where we are.

Just a friendly note: if anyone wants to read more deeply about the Biafran conflict, check out "There Was A Country" by Chinua Achebe. I just finished it and now watching this video, things make a lot more sense.

@mushyomens6885

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the recommendation, i ll check it out

Why have most post-colonial countries decided to retain their European imposed borders instead of declaring those borders void and allow nations to form their own countries?

@Tytoalba777

9 жыл бұрын

because, from what it sounds like, the rulers like those borders, for whatever reason. I do agree that reforming the borders would be a good idea, it would be expensive to remake infrastructure.

@Kronimiciad

9 жыл бұрын

There's also the fact that generally more land = more power. Carving up the new nations into miniscule little bit-sized bits means the people who are in control of the newly independent colonies will lose most of their power.

@astridweatherfield2299

9 жыл бұрын

This is why I like Nerdfighteria; it's a bunch of people who are curious and they have the urge to know more. So thanks for being awesome.

@daveharrison84

9 жыл бұрын

Very few countries have moved their borders around, but many countries have split into smaller countries long after colonialism ended.

@Naiadryade

9 жыл бұрын

David Harrison Which ones?

Thank you for informing your viewers of all this, John. One of the things I value about the vlogbrothers the most is your dedication to telling people about world events that we may not understand or even hear about otherwise. I didn't know about nearly any of the the things you discussed, but I'm glad I do now.

Interesting that Boko Haram only became generally violent once it was violently acted upon by the Nigerian government. Sort of begs the question, "Why do Conservative and Republican extremists keep advocating race and religion based violence toward Muslims and Arabs in face of the reality that if you strike a man, he tends to strike back?"

@MrAhmadAtaya

9 жыл бұрын

some governments and regimes used to push Muslims for their limits forcing some of them to use violence against the governments so after that this governments says that they're fighting terrorist groups, Assad in Syria used the same tactics at 1980 and at 2011. i'm not sure about Boko haram, but Muslims over the world denounced them and as a Muslim i believe there is nothing could justify their acts against other people. not even what Nigerian government did for them. their acts is directly against islam belief.

@MrAhmadAtaya

9 жыл бұрын

***** no, it's against of the main source of the belief and it's against the majority of Muslims belief, it's against the majority of Islamic scholars beliefs. i'm an Arab Muslim guy living in the middle east, and at least the majority of us hate extremest and terrorist groups the most, do you know that Islam forbidden suicide? no matter what the propose is? it's written in Quran, do you know that attacking non-Muslims in an Islamic area is considered as attacking prophet Mohammad? do you know there is nothing called sharia law because in Arabic Sharia means law?

@MrAhmadAtaya

9 жыл бұрын

***** you don't have to be told.. go find it for yourself but when you read it you should read it without Prejudgments. reading carefully with welling to understand the situation of the script, as an example most of anti-Islam or islamophobics use the verse of killing them whenever you find them, they used to remain the word "fitnah" as itself without translation but they translated as disbelieve :) they don't know what the verse is talking about they don't read the verse before and the verse after, they translate the word Fitnah wrong. i'm not trying to fool you or to fool anyone else, everyone has his own mind and he can't decide what is good or bad for himself, but i'm trying to correct wrong information you already said.

@MrAhmadAtaya

9 жыл бұрын

+Commodore Grayum Muslim nations? You mean countries, after the fallen of ottomans most of islamic countries were colonized by Britain and France and who ruled after them weren't ruling this countries by islam, they were put in charge as a puppet, working for Britain and France, Pakistan never ruled by islam it ruled by American allies in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia saying that they're ruling by islam but infact they're puppets for UK and US, let me give you examples, preventing women from driving in Saudi Arabia has nothing to do with islam, there's nothing about it, but they create this thing because they don't like it, but every other islamic countries allows women for driving, the same thing about prevent women from work in some places has nothing to do with islam becsuse the first women to work in islam was prophet Mohammed's wives, Iran? Most of islamic scholars are against Iran rule, and Iran one of the worst countries attacking other muslims, syria? Iraq? Egypt? Libya? Morocco? Jordan? Tunisia? Those countries never ruled by islam, they were ruled by dictators who claim themselves as secular regimes, they're not ruling by islam nor secularism, they're puppets working for other countries. And to rule those people they have to be brutal with them. They have nothing to do with islam.

@MrAhmadAtaya

9 жыл бұрын

***** you're taking your information from an ex-muslim is more likely to ask Steve Jobs about Microsoft products, nobody have the right to kill him, ex-muslims says thisthings to Elicit sympathy from non muslims, btw especially in Tunisia if someone used to go to mosque everyday he will more likely to get arrested gor several days as a suspect of terrorism.

First comment! Love the video John, as always :)

Great video! I had missed the news videos I'm glad they're back

I am really thankful for the work you put into these videos. I find them educational and enlightening. Thank you for making them!

I wish you and Hank were my teachers, I learn more in a 8 min video than what I learn in a whole day of class.

I almost feel like this video should be longer, even though it has passed the 4 minute mark. Crash Course, maybe?

Videos like this are what still keep me subscribed to the vlogbrothers! Thanks and well done!

Thanks for the extra-long and very informational video John. You gave me a much better understanding of a situation I've heard of but haven't been taught about before.

I am trying to be educated by this great video, but there is a damn Miley Cyrus fragrance ad on the side. DAMN YOU, MILEY, I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND REPRESSIVE NIGERIAN MOVEMENTS.

@Jamie-bu9cq

9 жыл бұрын

I believe in you.

@narendrakumardonthu2207

9 жыл бұрын

add adblock in google chrome

@morganward2361

9 жыл бұрын

You get all the awards

@elementarywatson5345

9 жыл бұрын

Narendra kumar Donthu But if you allow ads on vlogbrothers videos they give the proceeds to good causes and educational projects. That's why I keep them on.

@dallascopp4798

9 жыл бұрын

Damn her and her twerking!

Well that was grim. But necessary. Thanks for drawing attention to a problem that is too often ignored.

Hi! I think this was a great video and its one of the reasons I love your channel because you manage to bring to light so many important things that aren't known to a lot of people due to the media not reporting it or because we simply do not know. Thanks for this! It made me want to share this video almost immediately!

I don't usually comment on videos, and I know that a lot people have probably already said this, but I cannot properly describe how wonderful I think it is that most of the comments on this video are completely civil, even when they present differing opinions. It's so nice to see people actually discuss and learn from each other. You guys are truly awesome!

Post Colonial African history is really interesting!

@TheVlog

9 жыл бұрын

So many cultures and histories that most of us don't know that much about

Thank you John, thank you. One of the only people who will go out of their way to educate their audience about this, It disgusted me how little Western media covered Boko Haram's massacre last month...

Oh my gosh, I got here really early!! I love these educational videos, they clarify and inform on situations in a way that nothing else really is able to. Also, rocking the beard :D

John, I would just like to thank you and Hank for making all of these educational videos because it is so important for people to know about these types of things. Without Vlogbrothers I would never have had any idea about this problem. Thank you.

This comments section is actually not a clusterf*uck. This is why I love the vlogbrothers. Their subscriber community is amazing!

If you ever find yourself thinking "Hey, education and advanced medicine is evil," you are doing it wrong

thank you for doing videos like that. you guys do a really amazing job spreading information

Thanks for the explanation. I always appreciate how you bring in so much context to your videos.

On a very random and unrelated note: we haven't seen Willy in a while...

@TheVlog

9 жыл бұрын

Well no I'm afraid for Willie...

At first I was excited cuz I was like, "OMG I'M WATCHING A VIDEO THE DAY IT WAS UPLOADED!" And then I watched it. Damn. That's heavy man. All of these atrocities are truly that: atrocious. However, the part that really struck me was when he said that "...[Boko Haram] forces pre-teen girls to be suicide bombers." Now, I may not be a pre-teen girl, but it was not long ago that I was, so those years are quite vivid in my mind. I cannot help but try (and fail) to imagine being in that position. The picture of young women (11, 12 years-old) dive bombing towns of men, women and children against their will, tears streaming down their cheeks as they sacrifice their lives in order kill people that they sympathize with more than the despised organization forcing them to do this....it just chills me to my bones. Sorry for my melodramatic ramblings, People of the Internet; I just felt I needed to say that to process this.

One of the many things I appreciate about you and your brother is that you deliver, to the best of your ability, information about important news in a trustworthy and an unsensationalized format. I do not like to watch or read news as I often find it triggers anxiety, but I recognize the value of knowing about what is happening in the world, and so I appreciate videos like this which provide nuanced accounts that are a good entry point. As a 20 something university student, my experience ties in closely with Hank's recent article on traditional media and trust.

John, thank you for using your platform to shed light on such important issues.

I feel that it is important to stress that not only is violence in the name of fundamentalist Islam very much outside the mainstream Islam and that of course Muslims are fighting against it first and foremost, but also that the overwhelming majority of victims are Muslims. Violent Dshihadism is not some "clash of civilizations", anti-western movement; it is very much a challenge for the International Community as a whole

People don't think about Islam spreading by trade? Have they never studied the Silk Road? I feel like looking at that as a topic shows how a whole lot of stuff was spread via trade. I mean, in terms of my own study, the Silk Road was something we studied to view the spread of Buddhism, but it was also implicit in that study that Islam and other religions and cultural beliefs were among the various things in the mixture for spread across the trade route.

@TheVlog

9 жыл бұрын

Sadly, I don't believe many people could tell you what the silk road was

@ReikaSensei

9 жыл бұрын

TheVlog That's disappointing.

@stynkanator

9 жыл бұрын

I believe that when people hear about the silk road they think it was the Chinese that did all the trading. Like Chinese merchants walked all the way from China to Europe. It could also be that people would rather look/hear negative things over positive things.

@ajareti

6 жыл бұрын

Islam was spread mainly by violence (so called Jihad) in sub-Saharan Africa.

I want to say thank you to John and Hank for making these videos in which you explain difficult situations that we need to think more complexly about. Thank you and much love from me!

I'm so happy for these videos. Thank you for teaching me what's going on in the world, John, because I would have had no idea the history or situation of this had I not seen this video. It is so important that we're aware of things like this, and it's concerning that I don't see stuff like this on the news or hear about it in school. My history teacher is a nerdfighter, so I'm going to ask her to show this video to her classes. The more people that know about this, the better.

Wait.. oil? Looks like Nigeria needs some freedom.

Hmm.....Guys let me get my popcorn before anyone starts any arguments! Just hold on!

I love how you approach these topics and explain them. We need more of you in this world.

Thank you, John, for continuing to educate us on important events. As a busy student who doesn't always have the time to keep up with what is going on around the world, I can watch your video over dinner or during a study break and feel like I have learned something truly valuable.

In this comment section: people fail to imagine others complexly.

@TheVlog

9 жыл бұрын

I've almost replied that to so many comments on here...

99% of the population disapprove of them. Wow.

@MeisterHaar

9 жыл бұрын

99,9%... literally

@TheVlog

9 жыл бұрын

It's a shame such a small group can hijack the public's perception of a complex culture

@vickhallam12

9 жыл бұрын

TheVlog That is INSANELY true for a lot of different race, ethnicity, and cultures, I think.

Interestingly, this felt like a crash course episode. Extremely informative, and devastatingly truthful.

I love it when John gives us some good insight into current events. It really helps, thanks.

holy shit beard

I really don't want to start a flame war on a vlogbrothers video- i feel it's disrespectful. But i feel this is an important issue i'd like to speak my mind on. John mentions a temptation to blame this on religion that should be avoided. Personally, i think it would be unreasonable and irresponsible to automatically absolve religion of any blame. I'm not saying that all theists are violent lunatics or that all atheists are altruistic sages of wisdom but lets be honest- teaching people to actively avoid (or even despise) logic isn't exactly going to result in the most reasonable people in the world making the most sane decisions...

@juliusdictatorperpetuus1205

9 жыл бұрын

The problem in what you say is that you stereotype religious people. It's extremists who tend to define certain religions, because they get so much coverage. Most religious people do not actively avoid logic. John is an example of this (though I do not wish to use him as a weapon for argument). I am religious, yet I study subjects like mathematics and science in school, and I enjoy them. I believe in logical thought and I believe in God/a god, as do so many people. Why do some have such an issue with this?

@juliusdictatorperpetuus1205

9 жыл бұрын

By the way in no way do I mean to suggest my belief is better than yours. I respect the fact that you think that being religious is illogical. All I ask of you is to respect my beliefs and the beliefs of many like me.

@alexcooper8374

9 жыл бұрын

Similarly to what others have said, although they claim they are doing this based on religion, Islam is their cause in words only. They are extremists who act not because of their religion, but use religion as a rallying cry. I agree that it is a factor (to what degree is debatable), and although you can't immediately dismiss religion from the conversation, you also mustn't place blame hastily.

@JoneseyBanana

9 жыл бұрын

I get where you're coming from, (I'm an atheist too) but the truth of the matter is that most "religious" conflicts tend to stem from deeper causes. People use whatever they can to justify their actions, and if they can twist the teachings of a religion to suit their purpose they will. If they can't, they'll use extremist political rhetoric or whatever. You get the same results whether it's "religion" or just undisguised hatred and nationalism.

@Kevin-cm5kc

9 жыл бұрын

Julius Dictator Perpetuus JoneseyBanana Alex Pendleton Cooper I really appreciate you all being mature about the discussion. Jonesy and Alex made the point that religion isn't so much the direct cause but might be considered a factor which is close to what i'm getting at. I'm trying to suggest that religion can make someone more susceptible to manipulation, especially in circumstances that are otherwise unjustifiable. If religion is so subjective then it leaves a lot of room for generous interpretation.

This is a great video, I was completely unaware of this issue. Educational videos on current events are so important and helpful.

Thank you for this video. You & Hank really do perform a service to humanity when you explain this stuff (& why it is important)

I have some questions in regard to this topic. Why do they reject "western style" education? Is it a countermotion against the colonial predominance, which is fueled by the fear of losing their cultural identity and the perception of inferiority (much like the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt)? Are their resentments religiously motivated or social/political in nature? PS: Keep it up! =)

@learningftw6559

9 жыл бұрын

I would say: - They reject Western education because it represents the West, which is used as a scapegoat/ is blamed rationally for their problems. - I'd think yes, it's a kind of reminder of colonial predominance. - Sociopolitical, but religion is involved in sociopolitical divides, so... the world is complex.

@willharmer4987

9 жыл бұрын

I would imagine that there is another layer to this whole situation, and that is the situation between Nigerians. It might not even be a reaction against Western values, but a way of reacting to the rich, Christian South. A way to differentiate themselves from them is by asserting their differences in religion and culture. In this way, it would sort of be class related. The Muslim North feels left out of the prosperity, so they blame the disbelieving South. The root problem is sociopolitical, and that rage is channeled through religious and cultural perspectives against those that are "other."

@Pottermorphmagus

9 жыл бұрын

will harmer excellent analysis Will. As a Nigerian, I couldn't have said it better.

@StolzerKurde92

9 жыл бұрын

Always a pleasure to exchange ideas. Thanks for your efforts! ;)

@willharmer4987

9 жыл бұрын

Pottermorphmagus Thank you, Pottermorphmagus!

Made the mistake of reading youtube comments. Thought maybe the nerdfighter community would be better (and most of us are, I think, but the ones that aren't tend to be louder). If you think that all of Islam is wrong and should be ended, then you are wrong. Nothing is black and white. Nothing is ever that simple. Every religion has its good and bad in its ideology. The difference is that in Western culture, Islam gets primarily negative media attention, and that its where we get the majority of our 'facts' from. Can facts truly be called such when they are so limited and biased that you can only see an ant's worth of a story when there's a whole continent of information?

@zogfotpik8848

9 жыл бұрын

Well don't you think that Islam should bear some of the blame for this? After all, these people didn't come to these conclusions themselves.

@jennifergibson6288

9 жыл бұрын

Jim Gibbs No, I really don't. Christians have murdered millions of people in the name of their religion over the centuries, too. They're called extremists. Religions are always open to interpretation and there are many charismatic people who twist things in the wrong way and can gain a following to agree with them. It's not the religion's fault that some people twist things in a negative way. People always try to cite that it's whole countries with these oppressive laws, but it wasn't always like that until some of the extremist groups gained a great deal of very corrupt power in those countries. Imagine if Westboro baptist church managed to gain a whole state and then secede from the US. That state would be insanely messed up. And no one would disagree with that. You can't blame the religion as a whole which is practiced by more people worldwide than any other and where the vast majority of its members follow the ideals of peace and charity and humility. Basically, individuals can be bad people, systems of power can be corrupt, but the religion itself is not to blame.

@nazneentamboli3900

9 жыл бұрын

Jennifer Gibson wow you seem to be so educated and sensible. Thankyou for bringing this manner and conduct here.I really wish there were more people who cared to carefully analyze a situation before spitting out biased n crude comments. We all need to have an open mind and think, regardless of what the media tries to show us. Al-Anfal 8:21 "And do not be like those who say we hear, while they hear not. Indeed the worst of living creatures in the sight of Allah are the deaf and dumb,those who do not use their intellect" Peace.

@zogfotpik8848

9 жыл бұрын

Jennifer Gibson Boko Haram and his followers have done horrible things in Nigeria. I ask myself; why do these people condone violence? Why do they believe a man's life has more value than a womans? Obviously there are a number of reasons for sure (low levels of education, poor standards of living, etc.), but one of them is because they were raised from childhood to believe in the koran, and in the koran you can find verses condoning violence, or assigning more value to a man’s life than to a woman. Its the same script in the Bible, more or less, which is probably why western civilization has a long history of suppressing womens rights. Thankfully we’re much better about it today. You can also turn this around and say that religion is also responsible for great acts of kindness and generosity. It really depends on how you interpret these really old books, but this post is about intellectual honesty. You said yourself that nothing is black and white, and every ideology has it’s goods and bads, so can’t we say that the teachings in Islam had a part to play in why these events occurred? Statistically speaking, you could look at the different ideologies around the world and compare them to see which ones influence more harm than good, or vise versa, but that’s really a just a digression. There are plenty of instances where people will do horrible things because their system of thought taught them to think that way, and in this case, it's their version of Islam that gave them these ideas. Therefore, I just don't understand why it shouldn't bear some of the responsibility. (PS sorry it took so long to respond!)

@cduke6211

9 жыл бұрын

Jim Gibbs No Sir, it is people and not religions that commit atrocities. we always have a choice and you can spin a justification for killing other human beings indiscrimanetly with any excuse or doctrine you like. (just pick the parts that suit your purpose). That is what Boko Haram is doing. Half of Nigeria are Muslims some 65 million people, amongst them contains different strains of islam sufi, shiite e.t.c even other sunnis the branch that Boko Haram followers belong to. They have all been targeted and killed . Where in the Koran or any religion does it justify killing others of the same faith let alone innocents. The truth is that Boko Haram and people like them are mass muderers using religion as a cover to justify thier blood thirst.

Thank you for the excellent video. I find these types of educational videos about current events very helpful. They give me enough background to not feel overwhelmed so I can better inform myself.

Thanks for the awesome video John. I always enjoy these longer ones and love hearing about things that I didn't realize I hold a very strong opinion about. Besides spreading information about this I wonder if there are other things we can do to help. I don't know what or how but I wish there was something helpful people could do.

Beard approved

Is it just me, or is it time for an Evil Baby Orphanage re-launch?

@learningftw6559

9 жыл бұрын

YES.

@TheVlog

9 жыл бұрын

Thirded!

@MrDylan2125

9 жыл бұрын

I had totally forgotten about the Evil Baby Orphanage. It clearly needs to take action here!

This video is one on the many reasons I love the vlogbrothers. Your videos can be funny and inside-joke-y, but you can also do this and I really appreciate that. People (including myself) need to know about this stuff, and sometimes it's hard to understand solely based on what we see on the news or what our parents say.

This is why I love Vlogbrothers videos. There is something going on in the news right now, let's start in the 11th century! Context is everything, thank you for always trying to provide it

By god man! I cant believe im saying this but wow you don't look to good with a beard. Perhaps you should trim it?

@JamesWalkerYEG

9 жыл бұрын

There is a point in the history of all beards where they didn't look good, they didn't feel good, they are made of suck. It is at that point that the ones who will be bearded are separated from the ones who simply stopped shaving. For real though, trimming can be helpful for smoothing out differences in growth and prepping for a better beard later on.

@damnjoon2808

9 жыл бұрын

Well then, it's a good job his appearance isn't there to benefit you!

More like Boko Halal amirit

@HamzaSayedAli

9 жыл бұрын

Yaaaassss

This is the first time I am watching any of your videos. I commend you on the way you presented the facts and simplified it for those who don't know anything about this issue to understand. You got the basic gist of the situation right and managed to compress the rather complicated history of the country into few sound bites. In as much as this problem is something that has to be sorted out by Nigeria and her neighbours ultimately. It is refreshing to watch someone from the west explain it such straightforward, sane and nuanced way.

Thank you for explaining this topic, it is so very important for news to be contextualized, and so very hard to find in a form this eloquent.

This so called, "Islamic movement," known as Boka Haraam has nothing to do with Islam. Allah (God) said in the Quran, "And do not kill yourselves, indeed Allah is Merciful upon you." Allah also said, "And whoever kills a Muslim purposely, then his reward (abode) is Jahannam (a pit in hell)." None of Islam's leaders are a part of this devilish group, but rather warn against them. We in Islam are not allowed to kidnap, steal, or consume intoxicants (drugs, alcohol, not even nutmeg). Anyone who is seeking the truth about these sects, whether it be Boka Haraam, Khawarij, Shabaab, Al Qaeda, should refer back to the pure Islam and listen to the true scholars (Rabee ibn Haadi Al Madkhali, Ibn Uthaymeen, Saalih Al Fawzaan, Saalih As Suhaymee, Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Al Qayyim, Abdul Qaadir Junayd, Arafat Muhammadee, etc), or the English speaking students of knowledge (Abu Muhammad Al Maghribi, Rasheed Barbee, Umar Quinn, Hasan As Somali, etc).

@zaidarshad6380

9 жыл бұрын

+John Green

@zaidarshad6380

9 жыл бұрын

Asim Deyaf

@zaidarshad6380

9 жыл бұрын

Mental Floss

Thank you for bringing to light this important topic.

Amazingly informative video John Green , thank you.

Thank you so much for making this video. I try to keep up with current events as much as possible but I hadn't even heard that this was going on. Hopefully this video will raise more awareness about this and a solution can be found. My thoughts are with the people of Nigeria.

I didn't even notice this video was over 4 minutes until reading the comments. Good video John! Entertaining and educational x

Thank you so much for making this, it's so great to hear these complicated issues summarised in a concise and accessible way. And I agree with previous commenters, DO MORE VIDEOS ON AFRICA PLEASE it is not taught in schools and to find things out from the media you have to actively search for news.

I think it's fantastic that you're covering this because I've noticed that mainstream news sources aren't. Thanks for giving us such wonderful history and information on this issue :)

Yes I've been waiting all day for a video ☺️

I love these educational videos. They inspire me to know more, do my own research, and learn as much as I possibly can about the world.

Thank you for making such an insightful video. This is very educational.

Thank you John for once again delivering clear and accurate information about prevalent topics. I am so glad to have a better understanding of the situation in Nigeria.

I am really glad that this is being brought to light. Thank you John, as always for helping us understand these events around the world more completely. I dont know if i would have learned of these tragedies otherwise.

Thank you, John. Thank you so much for bringing light to this topic and explaining a difficult history as concisely and eloquently as possible without disrupting its authenticity, as always. I'm with the people in comments: I'd enjoy more videos on Africa and other struggling nations that ARENT biased or accusatory (cough the news cough cough).

I really like it when John makes educational videos and I think he should make more. DFTBA

Very, very informative video. Thanks a lot, John!

I never hear about things like this before one of you brings it up. Thank You

Thank you for making videos like this.

Excellent. Great information delivered thoroughly and quickly.

This is what I watch vlogbrothers for - perspectives that I don't get in school. This is what I love. This, and "Will Life Get Better for the Poor?"/"Is School Broken?" type videos. Never stop doing these types of videos.

Thank you, John, for once again talking about a complex situation complexly.

Cheers for this John. Very insightful.

if you guys ever want to make yet another channel, a current events one would be nice. i grew up not trusting one side of the news, and now that i'm sort of an adult i don't trust the other side and i don't know where to get half-decent information that actually explains the background of anything but you guys both do a good job of that

John, Thank you for teaching me about things like this. My prayers go out to everyone in that area.

Wow, great vid John. Learned a lot.

Thank you for bringing this important information to us.

This is a topic I knew absolutely nothing about until today. Now I know enough to go learn more about it. Thank you John!

This was a good one John. nice work mate

thank you so much for providing such great insight and knowledge on world issues. a lot of adults think youth aren't interested or just don't care, but in reality we do. sometimes finding resources that fully explicate things for us is very difficult, but here you did an awesome job!