Vlog #14 - Do Crosswalk Buttons Work?

In which the Nerdwriter gets to the bottom of crosswalk buttons, possibly contracts leprosy, and considers the illusion of control. TUMBLR: http://thenerdwriter.tumblr.com/

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Here's the NYTimes article by the infamous Michael Luo: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/27/nyregion/for-exercise-in-new-york-futility-...

Ellen Langer's Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Ellen-J.-Langer/e/B000APFZIW/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=...

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• nerdwriter
• crosswalk button
• pedestrian crossing
• ellen langer
• illusion of control
• suzanne thompson
• evan puschak
• puschak
• button
• push
• crosswalk
• vlogbrothers
• nerdfighter
• illusions
• socrates
• eastern philosophy
• john green
• hank green

[shisumi1]

. . .

does that mean i wont press the button?

because i'm depressed.

i have low self esteem.

and i fell like i have no control over anything.

[Nerdwriter1]

@shisumi1 Have you read the Serenity Prayer? Take the God out of it and you got a message that I think is perfect for you. Also, check out what my shirt says in the following vlog.

[robinna]

Nerdfighter in LA? You better be going to the gathering this Saturday in Long Beach!

[Nerdwriter1]

@robinna how do you hear about such a thing?

[MsIncognitoNerd]

have you ever seen "The Adventures of Pete&Pete"? I wish I had their clicker that made the light red so they could cross the street.

[Nerdwriter1]

@MsIncognitoNerd Have I ever seen it? Are you kidding? It was my favorite show as a kid. I wish I had a metal plate in my head so I could listen to the radio anytime.

[deltabord]

I feel like im some sort of commander every time i press a Button. Because some time i control something. Like now. Im in control of this comment. I can control what this comment says by pressing a sertin Button. And i can misspell words like a pro.... But that is probably not a good thing..... And thanks to this video. I spent about 2-3 H just talking about Button pressings and playing Star Craft 2 vs my dad. I was trying to distract him. But i just ended up distracting my self... So i lost...

[MeLoVeUoVer9000]

This was great! GOTCHALOLOLOLOLOLOL....sure...

Some wise lessons for lots of ppl.

btw in Amsterdam for instance they now show the seconds a light will be red. Giving information is a much better way than the illusion of control.

[MyTakeOnStuff]

Hahaha. I love your videos, they keep me laughing and learning. BUT! you might wanna slow down a bit

[The80srockforever]

So do we or do we not loose our scence of the ilusion of control?

[fizzle455]

@shisumi1 less than 1% of the adult population considers themselves to have high self-esteem

[ConnerDunivent]

I have no say on what you do your videos about, but I think it would be neat if you explained Eastern philosophy, because as a Westerner I know nothing about it.

[SalientK]

Wait, you went to Boston University? I'm almost did, but I didn't get accepted (I did not do well in high school). I'm at Northeastern, though.

[animewolf16]

I almost never pushed the crosswalk button, mainly because it never seems to work. Largely because the crosswalk simbol is always STOP! It NEVER changes. I usuall wait till there's a red light and run across the street behind the line of waiting cars. Havent been hit yet..

[Bartholh]

Yay for lost!!!

[SmokeyRoseWolf]

So if I press the like and subscribe button you wont make videos specifically for me but youll make them regardless... I have no control over you?

*broken heart*

[PeaceLoveAndMax]

Almost all of the crosswalk buttons that are around me are functional.