John Hodgman Speaker Biography
Comedian and Writer
John Hodgman is a writer, comedian, and actor. Most recently, he is the author of the acclaimed collection of funny true stories called VACATIONLAND. He also wrote three books of fake facts and invented trivia, all of them New York Times Bestsellers, and his writing has also appeared in The Paris Review, This American Life, The New Yorker, and Mad Magazine.
The Daily Show
After an appearance to promote his books on “The Daily Show,” he was invited to return as a contributor, serving as the show’s “Resident Expert” and “Deranged Millionaire.”
Actor
This let to an unexpected and, frankly, implausible career before the camera, becoming the “Personal Computer” in a series of commercials for Apple computer, and more recently playing recurring roles in FX’s MARRIED, HBO’s BORED TO DEATH, Cinemax’s THE KNICK.
TED Speaker
He has performed comedy for The President of the United States, at the TED conference, and in a crypt in Green-Wood Cemetery. His apocalyptic comedy special RAGNAROK premiered in 2013 on Netflix, and his subsequent one man comedy shows have played to sold out audiences in many nice theaters around the country and in Canada.
Judge John Hodgman Podcast
Finally, he is the host of the popular JUDGE JOHN HODGMAN podcast, where he settles serious disputes between real people, such as “Is a hot dog a sandwich?” and “Should we tell our children the TRUTH about Santa Claus.” He also contributes a weekly column under the same name for The New York Times Magazine.
John Hodgman Speaking Topics
Design, Explained
John Hodgeman summarizes the intricacies of design in under seven minutes in his design explained keynote. The comedian, writer and former literary agent uses three examples to talk about modern design -- the theme building in Los Angeles, Phillippe Starck's citrus juicer and Apple's iPhone. With a sense of humor and wit, Hodgman describes the theme building as the first example of ancient extraterrestrial architecture. It is the uncluttered structure that led to the creation of streamlined, archaically futuristic designs called googie, synonymous with the jet age. Phillippe Starck's citrus juicer is described not as a monument to design but a monument to design's utility. Through the juicer's precision, playfulness and innovation it turns any kitchen space into a monument of design. Hodgman's summary of the iPhone describes it as something that is easily forgettable. Its design and functions are simultaneously futuristic and immediately adopted into everyday existence. John Hodgman says, "it is an example of taking something alien and making it familiar and intimate."
John Hodgman Books
The Areas of My Expertise
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