John Hodgman's Legendary Speech On Nerd Rights
John Hodgman was the keynote speaker at this weekend's Radio & TV Correspondents' Dinner in Washington DC, following President Barack Obama, which is insane. Not that he was the keynote speaker, but just that he followed the president, and that he stood at the podium on the same dais and addressed the man directly. Obviously, someone has to be the keynote speaker and follow the president and stand at the podium on the same dais and address the president directly, but it still feels strange and thrilling. That is the magic of John Hodgman. He is everyone's secret favorite, but that secret is out, and has been for awhile. He's the human incarnation of a Pavement 7". And this moment is the main stage at Lollapalooza. Wait a second, you mean thousands of people know who this guy is and enjoy what he does? I'm not the only one?
The only thing better than that metaphor is John Hodgman's speech, which is after the jump.
What a nerd. (Via BoingBoing.)
Posted by Gabe at 2:30 PM in What America Wants, Where Are They Now?
Tags: Barack Obama | Jocks | John Hodgman | Nerds | Radio & TV Correspondents' Dinner
This is the best administration ever!!!! Can Hodgman be Secretary of Keeping it Real?
Score = 18
"He's the human incarnation of a Pavement 7". And this moment is the main stage at Lollapalooza."
Wait, are you implying that we're supposed to throw mud clods and rocks and him until he leaves the stage in anger? I think your metaphor falls a little short here, Gabe.
Score = -5
We get it: you saw A Slow Century. For me, it was still the Perfect Metaphor Forever.
Score = 4
Although I maintain that the metaphor stands, I should concede that that was a really good catch. I think maybe my case of the Monday's plus my instinctual need to protect any and all Pavement-based metaphors made my post unnecessarily grouchy.
Score = 3
John Hodgeman is america's Summer Babe (Presidential Version).
Score = 25
500 days of john hodgman
Score = 29
the paranthetical statement warrants more than a mere plus 1. good show sir.
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Hodgman 's done this "jocks vs. nerds” debate for months in the context of the tactics employed by this administration and the campaign that preceded it, but it’s another thing entirely to express this analogy to the president. Pretty great.
(Interested parties may also want to check out the middle of this interview, where he uses the “jocks vs. nerds” framework to describe the creative direction of LOST.)
Score = 0
Dear John Hodgman,
Will you marry me?
Love,
Leah
Score = 3
Obama totally knew that Conan worshipped Crom. He just doesn't want to be labelled as a secret Cimmerian.
Score = 10
14 minutes of nerd perfection.
Score = 7
geeks > nerds
Score = -5
Obama/Hodgman 2012, please.
Score = 5
I met Hodgeman before he was famous (he was my boss' old college roommate), and I can personally attest to his greatness. He lives in Park Slope and has a kid and is totally great.
Score = 3
I knew the dog before he came to class.
Score = 12
this was great and it does sum up the bush administration without completely vilifying them (although I think that is warranted as well). the brilliance of Obama's appeal is that he works with both groups. He is both the coolest guy in the room and smartest.
Score = 3
pacific trim
Score = 0
I was a late blooming Hodgmaniac, having first seen him as "the man from the greeting card company" in Flight of the Conchords' first season. I am now, however, completely in love.
Score = 0
Where is who now?
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