Three Whole Onions with Secretary Pete Buttigieg

I love that Secretary Buttigieg's team was just like hmm notable things to do in Missoula: Hank Green's house?

"I had the benefit of having a cheap cancer." What a horrifying sentence.

longtime lurker/longertime Nerdfighter here, but feel compelled to say that this style of interview is incredibly effective. It's both informative and entertaining to have an interview with a government official featuring fact-check cutaways that offer context (not necessarily critique!) to what is being discussed. It taught me a lot and kept me engaged. Hank, you really excel at this and I hope it is not the last we see of this format!

When pete was first appointed to the cabinet I thought "sec of transport seems random" but after this interview, it makes so much sense that a good mayor would be very knowledgeable about infrastructure

Yes, I'll take "Faces I didn't expect to see in a video thumbnail" for $500, Alex.

“three whole onions” is the only thing that could be said in that moment. it was the only answer.

“I have been told by people smarter than me….” is what I want to hear from all of our federal employees.

Favorite aspects of this video in no particular order: 1) The juxtaposition of Pete’s calm, measured politician voice and Hank’s excitable youtuber voice 2) Hank trying very diligently to look at the person he was interviewing instead of the camera 3) Being able to read Hank’s reactions in real time to Pete’s answers and then have my suspicions confirmed in the fact check portion 4) Pete excitedly explaining asphalt research and technology/describing the Turner Fairbank Highway Research Center as only slightly less glamorous than the CIA headquarters 4) Secretary bird! This was really interesting overall! It’s nice to hear about what the government is working on improving that you wouldn’t otherwise!

"humans don't experience distance in miles, we experience distance in minutes" is such a quintessential understanding of transportation issues...

I want Hank to cross-interview EVERY cabinet Secretary with fact-checking in post

God I love this guy. He's always so well-spoken and reasonable, and I'm hopeful he tries again for president in 2028

I love how he instantaneously gifted you his pin when he saw your pin collection. The kindness and respect in all your videos gives me hope they we might be okay.

Im very charmed by Orin finding a question to ask that is relevant to his interests without knowing what a secretary in the Presidential cabinet is... What a champ.

No one could have predicted Orin's question for the secretary of transportation. Poor guy probably thought a kid would ask about trains, but he got hit with an obscure bird question. Handled it like a champ!

I can honestly say Secretary Buttigieg has fully accepted the responsibility of his position and used it to better our country. Thanks gentlemen for being great Americans 🇺🇸🫡

I had the good fortune to live in South Bend when Pete was our mayor. He truly saved the town from the brink of being another Detroit. I also had the honor of working with him when he guest lectured at Notre Dame, where I worked. He is, without hesitation, one of the sharpest and most well-spoken people I've ever met. He actually acts on his ideas instead of just spouting what he thinks people want to hear. Good to see him in the nerd community : ) Great man!

"You look like an airline pilot" is about to be my new pickup line

Pete Buttislegs

Hank - Airline pilot here. I wouldn't be embarrassed about saying he looks like a pilot. We have a look, so much so its often easy for me to guess if someone is crew or not at our layovers based on looks/ outfit. Pete fits the mold!

You can REALLY tell that Pete was probably an amazing fit for something as niche, nerdy, and important as Transportation Secretary. He seems to be incredibly good with nuance and details, and he brings so much competence to the table. Really happy this guy is out in the background handling all of these weird issues that most of us didn't even really know existed.