Paper towns and why learning is awesome | John Green

Summary

In this engaging talk, the speaker explores the concept of 'paper towns' through the story of Agloe, New York, a fictional town created as a copyright trap that eventually became real. The narrative dives into the power of cartography, illustrating how our representations of the world can influence reality. The speaker further discusses the transformative impact of learning communities on personal growth, highlighting the importance of intellectual engagement and the metaphorical mapping of our lives.

Takeaways

• 🗺️ The map of New York State made in 1937 by General Drafting Company is renowned among cartographers for its unique feature of a 'paper town' called Agloe, New York.
• 🔒 Agloe, New York, was a 'copyright trap' or a fake place created by mapmakers Ernest Alpers and Otto G. Lindberg to protect their map's copyright.
• 🏠 The fictional town of Agloe became real when people, expecting a place there, built a gas station, general store, and houses at the location indicated on the map.
• 📚 The speaker's third book, 'Paper Towns,' is inspired by the idea that what we write can change the world, akin to the transformation of Agloe from fiction to reality.
• 🌐 The way we map the world actually changes the world, suggesting that our perceptions and representations have tangible impacts on reality.
• 🧭 The concept of cartography is used metaphorically to describe how our personal 'maps' or life plans shape our lives and the futures we might have.
• 📉 The speaker's early disengagement with education changed when he joined a community of learners at Indian Springs School, emphasizing the importance of environment in learning.
• 🤓 Learning became 'cool' for the speaker due to the influence of a learning community that valued intellectualism and engagement.
• 🎓 The speaker's academic transformation was not solely due to classroom learning but also life experiences and interactions with others that broadened his knowledge.
• 🌐 The Internet has become a new space for learning communities to form, offering platforms for intellectual engagement outside of traditional educational settings.
• 📹 YouTube, in particular, has emerged as a powerful tool for learning, with channels like 'Minute Physics' and 'Crash Course' providing educational content to a wide audience.
• 💬 YouTube comments sections, despite their reputation, can be vibrant communities of learners engaging with the material and each other in meaningful discussions.

Q & A

What is the significance of the map made by the General Drafting Company in 1937?

The map is significant among cartography enthusiasts because it contains a 'paper town' named Agloe, New York, which was a copyright trap inserted by the mapmakers to protect their work from being copied.

What is a 'paper town' and why was Agloe considered one?

A 'paper town' is a fictional place that mapmakers sometimes include on their maps to protect their copyright. Agloe was considered a paper town because it was a made-up location by Ernest Alpers and Otto G. Lindberg, who used the initialism of their names for the town's name.

How did the town of Agloe, New York, come to exist in reality?

Agloe became real because people kept going to the intersection of two dirt roads marked as Agloe on maps, expecting to find a place by that name. Eventually, someone built a place called Agloe there, complete with a gas station, a general store, and houses.

What is the metaphorical significance of Agloe, New York, to a novelist?

Agloe represents the idea that the written word can have a tangible impact on the world, inspiring the novelist to believe that their creations can influence reality, which is why the speaker's third book is titled 'Paper Towns'.

How does the speaker describe the impact of maps on the world?

The speaker suggests that maps not only reflect the world but also shape it. The way we map the world changes our perception and understanding of it, and this in turn can affect the way the world is organized and functions.

What was the speaker's initial attitude towards education and why?

The speaker initially viewed education as a series of arbitrary hurdles to be overcome for the sake of adulthood. This was because they felt the educational system was not personally meaningful or engaging.

What changed the speaker's perspective on learning when they attended Indian Springs School?

At Indian Springs School, the speaker became part of a community of learners who celebrated intellectualism and engagement. This environment encouraged the speaker to become a learner because they found learning to be cool and meaningful.

How did the speaker's personal map of life expand through learning?

The speaker's personal map expanded as they learned new things and engaged with different ideas and communities. This made their life map bigger, containing more places and possibilities for the future.

What role did the community play in the speaker's learning journey after high school?

After high school, the speaker found themselves in various learning communities, such as college, working at a magazine, and later through online platforms. These communities provided a space for continuous learning and engagement.

How does the speaker view the role of online platforms like YouTube in fostering learning communities?

The speaker sees online platforms, particularly YouTube, as modern classrooms that facilitate learning communities. These platforms allow people to learn and engage with subject matter in a participatory manner, with the opportunity to ask and answer questions in a communal setting.

What is the importance of the YouTube comment section in these learning communities?

The YouTube comment section is important because it allows for active participation in the conversation around the educational content. It provides a space for viewers to ask questions, discuss ideas, and engage with the material and each other in a meaningful way.