Hello!
Nineteen years ago, my brother and I decided we would send videos back and forth to each other every weekday for the entirety of 2007. It was a very silly idea during a very silly time on the internet. It was fun, it was weird, and it was very much inspired by an extremely similar project done by Ze Frank.
But unlike Ze, when the year was over, John and I (possibly because there were two of us, so it was half as much work) decided to keep going. Though from 2008 on, we cut way down on the number of videos we were making. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't get nostalgic for the old ways of 2007. So, two weeks a year, we go back to the old schedule, and THAT is what Pizzamas is.
There are a lot of very good things about my job, but being able to intentionally turn back the clock and go back to an older, simpler version of my job is definitely one of them. Nostalgia is a powerful thing, and it makes sense that I would be nostalgic for that weird, wonderful, silly little year of 2007. It was a year that changed my entire life based on an idea that SHOULD NOT HAVE WORKED. But here we are, older, busier, more tired...but with a chance every once in a while to plug back into an era that is long gone by.
I'm loving it. This week, we made videos about the scientific legacy of Jane Goodall, whether or not we will retire someday, and the very real and very important reasons for hope. Next week, I don't know what I'll make! That's what Pizzamas is like because that's what 2007 was like: being forced to have ideas in the pressure cooker of "You have to make a video today, or else!" So, we'll see... I'm pretty sure I'll come up with something good.
Hank
You can always email us at [email protected]
This Week in Stuff
The origin of “upper case” and “lower case” is more literal than you’d expect. (TikTok)
Reading Rainbow is returning with new books, new projects, and a new host! (Instagram)
WheezyWaiter spent a day with an engineer to learn how bridges remain safe. (YouTube)
Growing our food requires a lot of water, but America’s most irrigated crop isn’t consumed at all. (YouTube)
Every year during P4A, physical artwork is sold to raise money for charity. If you’d like to contribute art, you can apply here! (airtable.com)
Please send us stuff you think we should feature to [email protected]
Richer countries don’t just avoid infectious disease — they also have lower rates of chronic disease deaths
Hannah Ritchie
One of humanity’s biggest victories has been the fight against infectious diseases. This battle has led to plummeting rates of child and maternal mortality and dramatically increased life expectancy.
However, there are still large differences in infectious disease rates between different parts of the world. As we might expect, deaths are much less common in high-income countries where almost everyone can access clean water, sanitation, and medication.
One common misconception is that this prosperity has come at the cost of an increase in death rates from chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancers (collectively called “non-communicable diseases”). But this is not the case. As you can see in the chart, death rates from these diseases are also lower in richer countries. It’s not the case that we’ve simply substituted one health problem for another.
That means that the risk of someone of a given age dying from any cause each year tends to decrease as countries get richer.
Our World in Data is a UK-based non-profit organization that publishes research and data to make progress against the world’s largest problems. You can find more of their data insights here.
This Week at Complexly
What do we do with the money generated from pre-roll advertisements on the Vlogbrothers YouTube channel? Well, half of it goes to Partners in Health, one quarter goes to Complexly's new and developing educational video projects, and the other quarter goes into a fund that is used to help creators make online educational/informational/super awesome projects!
If you're an online creator making stuff that helps make the world a better place, you can apply for a grant from the fund by filling out this form. To be eligible for this year's grants, make sure you apply by November 2, 2025.
Space travel is infamously bad for your health. But it turns out that in some very specific cases, space travel may actually be beneficial, like for strengthening your bones or repairing your DNA.
Some Games to Play!
Battleships (by Luke Rissacher)
SpellCheck.xyc (by Answer in Progress)
This Gubbins postcard was made by Alex. Send yours to [email protected]
If you post your results on social media, we’d love it if you post a link for folks to subscribe to “We’re Here” (https://werehere.beehiiv.com/subscribe)
Our dreams of going pro
In the last edition of We’re Here, we asked what you’d choose to become a pro at if you could master one thing instantly. Thanks to everyone who submitted their pick!
If I had to immediately become a pro at something, I’d pick baseball. When I was a kid, I wanted to be the first woman to play for the Kansas City Royals, and I’d do anything for baseball to be a part of my life again.
I'm being induced at the end of this month to have my first baby, so if I could instantly become a pro at anything, it would be being a parent!
If I could be instantly pro at something, I’d want to be a professional judge. That way I can combine my two passions: telling other people what to do, and doing something that comes with a fun little outfit. (Just the black robe, though, since I’m an American. I wouldn’t be caught dead in one of those powdered wigs.)
I would want to be a pro at parkour, since it looks so fun to jump and climb around like that, but I imagine the learning process to do so safely is long and if you go out before you're a pro you have a much higher chance of injuring yourself. So it'd be nice to just be able to jump to doing it competently and thus much more safely!
I've always felt like I have the soul of a rock star, despite my lack of musical talent. If I could be great at anything, it would be guitar or singing, so I could finally live out my destiny!
Beekeeping! I’ve always thought it’s the coolest hobby but wayyy too expensive and difficult to learn - not to mention the time and space necessary to do it well lol
If I could become a pro at something instantly, I would choose producing music. I would use my newfound power to make horrendous mashups and occasionally remix solidly mid songs into something special.
Gift giving! I have incredible friends that always know exactly what I give me, and I sometimes feel lost or intimidated when their birthdays come around. I know it's the thought that counts, but I want them to feel as special as they make me feel.
Improv comedy! Not only would being an improv pro be great fun, but imagine how many ways being that skilled at improvisation would come in handy! Thinking quickly on your feet and collaborating well? The job application writes itself!
I wouldn't want to instantly become a pro at anything, because what makes being a pro impressive is the hard work you put into it. So I'll take the scenic route :)
Good Store x Technology Connections Sock Collab
Some people collect vintage technology. Others…socks. We've partnered with Alec Watson at Technology Connections to bring you the best of both worlds. These concepts were brought to life by the pens of incredibly talented artists and designers, turning Alec’s niche fascinations into wearable art that’s both fun and functional. And the best part: 100% of the profit from this collaboration supports the Maternal Center of Excellence in Sierra Leone. Grab a 6-month or 12-month subscription to this limited-time collab of sock designs from the mind of Alec today (before they're gone)!
In honor of Pizzamas, we want to know what your favorite pizza toppings are.
Send your pizza order to [email protected].
