I am Jón Gnarr, Mayor of Reykjavík. AMA.

This has been so much fun but now I need to get going. Thank you for your interest and support. Hope this was of use and that you had fun too. I'm sorry I couldn't answer all your questions. Too many questions and too little time. Let's meet again here some other day. Peace!

is it true that a mad man once ran after you with a hammer in a grocery store and everyone thought you were joking ?

edit: can we get a back story ?

Yes, that's true. It really was a sledgehammer.

Why do you think you have been accepted as an atypicial statesman while other politicians (especially American) are so afraid of stepping out of the social norm?

Probably because of the smallness of this country I live in. We are only 320.000 and practically everyone is friends on facebook.

Hi, I'm a 14 year old from Bucharest, Romania and you are my all-time hero. I wish there were more people like you in the world.

Here are my questions for you:

• 1. If I ever get to visit Reykjavík, can I get to meet you?

• 2. Are you proud to be a citizen of Iceland?

• 3. What do you think is the top reason for which the people of Reykjavík voted for you?

• 4. Will you be running for a second term?

• 5. What country do you believe will 'evolve' most within the 21st century?

1. Maybe.
2. I am proud to be a human, and a citizen of this world.
3. Guess they like me.
4. Depends, maybe.
5. No idea.

Who is your favourite character in The Wire?

Omar.

Hi Jón! My Secret santa just sent me a bottle of Ópal. How would you recommend drinking it?

I wouldn't.

Do you want Iceland to join the European Union? Why?

I have no opinion and I think the importance of it is hugely overrated.

What advice do you have for other world leaders?

Be yourself. Don't be evil. Show a little empathy.

biggest life regret?

I wish I had been able to finish school and work as a neuroscientist today.

What's the weirdest thing you've ever done in office? Like actually in your office.

Undressed after being in drag on Gay Pride. Taking a shower only to find out the shower didn't work. And sometimes I like to go out on the balcony when the pond is frozen and some children are playing on the ice and yell: "This is private property! Go away or I'm calling the police!"

Are you scared of your daughter? I mean, she is pretty, pretty strong.

EDIT: For those who don't know how - strong - she is - http://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/jon-gnarr-mayor-of-reykjavic-daughter-margret-edda-gnarr.jpg

No. She would never beat me up. I think.

Sæll Jón.

Spilarðu nokkuð tölvuleiki? Ef ekki, hvað finnst þér um tölvuleikjaspil sem áhugamál?

---

Hi Jón.

Do you play any video games? If not, what is your opinion on video gaming as a hobby?

Já. Call of Duty, Half Life, Fruit Ninja in long meetings.

what are your concerns on global warming? Islands are generally more at risk to rising water levels

Global warming is a fact. But I think the effects on Iceland are mainly positive. The weather is improving every year.

I am growing fond of Sigur Ros and Of Monsters and Men. What are some other Icelandic bands you would recommend?

Because it seems like there is some good music to be discovered from your lovely slice of green beauty on this Earth.

HAM, Kleópatra and Ghosdigital :)

Two questions:

1. When you brush your teeth, do you put water on the toothbrush before or after you put toothpaste on?

2. When you get dressed in the morning, do you put on your pants or socks first?

I NEED TO KNOW. THIS IS IMPORTANT.

1. Before.
2. Differs.

Hello How did you come up with the best party?

How could I not have come up with it?

In Austin TX USA we also had Anarchists running for city council. Do you agree that you can still philosophically be an anarchist while working inside the system to try and improve things now?

Yes, I still consider myself to be an anarchist. Or libertarian socialist like Chomsky calls it. For me it's first and most a job. I am not an anarchist because it's the perfect political theory. I am an anarchist because there is no such thing as the perfect political theory. What has affected my anarchistic ideas most is the internet. And maybe there will rise a new idea of neo anarchism and I think and I hope that some sort of anarconomy will be the economic system of the future.

how many languages do you speak?

Barely one.

Is Bjork considered to be normal in your country?

Yes.

• favourite place in Iceland that doesn't start with a "Rey" and end with "kjavik"?

Then I would have to say Reykjavík.

[deleted]

Making my comedy, doing standup, maybe some writing. Trying to make a living :)

Hello Mr. Gnarr!

Thanks for doing this AMA, you’re probably my favorite politician ever.

Over the summer, I got the chance to visit Iceland and I absolutely loved it. My boyfriend and I always talk about going to live in a Nordic country, but we’re limited by the fact that we only speak English. Are there people who immigrate to Iceland who don’t speak Icelandic? What do people think about them? Could you make me and my boyfriend honorary citizens? We’ll vote for you!

Everybody speaks english here. I cannot make you honorary citizens, sorry (protocol).

Hi Jon! It's really great to see a real human being getting involved in politics for a change! I have a few questions:

1) What is your greatest wish for Reykjavik?

2) What do you think Iceland's greatest (best) export is?

3) Do you believe in Elves?

1. I have a dream that one day Reykjavík can be an internationally declared military free zone and center for peace operations in the world. I have written President Obama a letter emphasizing this.
2. Art.
3. No, sorry. Do you?

Who is your favourite comedian?

Standup: Bill Hicks. Comedian: Karl Pilkington.

Did you really think your party would win the election, or were you just trying to raise awareness? What advice do you have for those of us who are jaded with politics, but don't have the network/money to run for office (clearly I am in the united states)?

I knew we would win from the early beginning. How I knew, I don't know. I just kind of felt it. Be creative. Use youtube, facebook, twitter, the lot.

serious question here;

with increased globalization, do you fear the Icelandic culture/language may come under serious threat in the future? every year, more languages go extinct, and with such a small population, do you think Iceland (and other small European countries) will be able to "hold out" much longer?

No, I think with increased globalization Iceland and many other smaller European countries will increasingly become bilingual. In the end I think we will all be speaking english.

[deleted]

I've been following Colorade and Washington and I think I'm for medical marijuana.

Hey Jón! You're awesome. Is there any chance of getting and english translation of your new book? Also, do you want to hang out sometime? I live in America, but I can catch a flight over to Iceland and we can watch The Wire or something.

P.S.: What is the best Punk Rock band of ALL TIME?

My books will be out in german next year, and hopefully in english soon after. If ever in Reykjavík please drop by. I'm usually in a meeting.

Crass is the best!

You are one smart cookie. Is there any way you can send me a signed photograph, I'd like to frame it and put it on my wall.

Edit: Spelling

Send me an email at borgarstjori@reykjavik.is

Which celebrity would you like to meet?

I have dined with kings, I have been offered wings, but I have never been too impressed. I like regular people.

Have you ever seen a cow, chasing boots?

Kúrekastígvél!

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Bhutan.

The World/Inferno Friendship Society has a song called Just The Best Party. I think you should give it a listen and consider using as a theme. They're a bunch of anarcho-circus-burlesque punks and would probably be pleased to hear from you (not that I dare speak for Jack).

Wow, thank you. I'll look into that.

You are the best goddamn mayor the city of Reykjavik has ever had! Can you tell our international audience a bit about the best party's campaign platform of anarcho-surrealism?

Well, it's mostly about nonviolent communication, humanistic values like humor and the opinion that politics are a part of our society and don't necessarily need to be boring. You can be funny and even silly and still be serious.

Hey, What is your average day like? Thanks, you're awesome!

Meetings. Some more meetings. Speech. Concert.

Hullo! I'm an astronomer in the U.S. I see a lot of great pictures coming out of Iceland--I was wondering if you had any experience with or interest in the star-gazing outside of Reykjavik. If so, what is your favorite site that you have seen? If not, what is your favorite constellation?

Ta, thanks for your time :)

I have really no knowledge of the sky above me.

I'm visiting Reykjavík in early March, whats is one thing I should make sure to do?

Hang around and blend in.

Was reading some of your responses already and noticed your username. What's it mean and why did you choose that one?

It means the fly of peace. I use it often. It has a strange attachment to Flugufrelsarinn by Sigur Rós.

What is the craziest thing you have done while being the Mayor of Reykjavík?

I don't think I have done any crazy things. But there was a lot of crazyness before.

Hi Jón! Do you like the work of Hugleikur Dagsson?

Yes, I love him. I'm actually his mother.

Can you convince Stanhope to tour Europe?

I don't know. I can try. But he's pretty uncontrollable. I have been trying to get Tig Notaro to come here. I would also like to see Eddie Izzard.

What do you think of the Pirate Party?

I admire the platform. The hive concept and liquid democracy. I follow it closely.

What is the one best thing about being a mayor, maybe some privilege?

Getting the chance to really have a saying. I try to use it wisely.

do you like sigur ros? sorry if i'm being stereotypical

Yes I love Sigurrós. Flugufrelsarinn clings in my head every single day.

Halló minn kæri borgarstjóri :) The Best Party seems to be going to compete for the general Alþingi elections next spring: do you see your future on a larger scale, i.e., would you ever consider to run for Prime Minister? Also, what kind of political platform do you think would work best for the coming elections?

I have been thinking a lot about this. I actually think I would be a good prime minister, but of course it all depends on the platform.

What is you favorite Yule Lad?

I'm a feminist and they are all men. I would really like to see some yule gals. You know, equal rights and all that.

Hello, what question have you never been asked, but wish you have?

There are so many.

What would you say was your biggest accomplishment as mayor yet?

Surviving. And still having fun.