The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet

Scratch n sniff stickers

John Green’s essay on scratch-and-sniff stickers in The Anthropocene Reviewed is a masterclass in blending nostalgia with thoughtful reflection. As with much of the book, Green takes a seemingly trivial topic and uses it as a lens to explore larger themes—memory, sensory experience, and the ways we attach meaning to ephemeral objects. Green recalls the childhood joy of these stickers, their artificial yet oddly evocative scents, and their role as small rewards that carried outsized significance. But in true Anthropocene Reviewed fashion, he also delves into the science of smell, the marketing of manufactured nostalgia, and even the philosophical implications of how scents can trigger deeply buried memories. What makes this essay particularly compelling is Green’s ability to turn a lighthearted subject into something profound without losing the whimsy that made scratch-and-sniff stickers delightful in the first place. His characteristic mix of humor and melancholic introspection makes the piece both entertaining and thought-provoking. In the end, Green rates scratch-and-sniff stickers four and a half stars, a score that feels appropriate given their fleeting but meaningful impact. As with many of the essays in The Anthropocene Reviewed, this one leaves the reader reflecting not just on the topic at hand but on their own experiences with sensory memory and the little joys that shape our lives.