N is for Nerdfighteria #AtoZChallenge
My 2025 A to Z Challenge theme is activism. I’ve been a Black Lives Matter activist for over a decade. I’m not an expert. I do have experience to share and I’m hoping to learn from your experiences, too. We’re all in this together.
Nerdfighteria is the activist fan base of Hank Green (host of SciShow and Crash Course) and John Green (author of The Fault in Our Stars and other books, including the recently released Everything is Tuberculosis), centered around their vlogbrothers videos on YouTube. This deeply collaborative, mostly on-line group, raises money for good causes and organizes campaigns for things like lowering the cost of TB tests and treatment in third-world countries.
The Nerdfighteria logo. Note the presence of the Vulcan greeting gesture that accompanies “live long and prosper.”
Nerdfighteria organized a spin-off for the tuberculosis work with its own website, TBFighters.org. They turned calling Congress into a community event by gathering on a video call before each person called to object to the chaotic end of USAID’s work in preventing and treating tuberculosis. Earlier this month they organized #TBHillDay, an excellent example of citizen lobbying at the federal level. Judging from a search of the hashtag on BlueSky, they had a successful day.
Nerdfighteria is a creative force for good. I recommend signing up for the TBFighters mailing list — if for no other reason, witness how they do the work. Their actions are inspiring.
Are you a Nerd fighter?