I am VICE's Ryan Duffy. I've been shot (on purpose), went to N Korea with Dennis Rodman, and most recently investigated Japan's sex industry. AMA

What did Kim Jong-un's hands feel like? Rough? Soft? The world needs to know.

Soft and supple. Don't think he's doing a lot of heavy lifting.

When watching the North Korea episode, a strange thing that stood out to me was how absolutely calm, cool and collected the Harlem Globetrotters seemed the entire time. Were they seriously that laid back or did they just play it off well?

Some of the coolest, most relaxed guys I've ever met; captains of Team Good Vibes.

Do you believe that you'll eventually die doing something for VICE, or any other journalistic activity?

I'd never really thought about it, but now I have. Thanks!

I'm interested to hear a bit about your path to this job? How did you get into VICE or did VICE find you? did you always want to be some sort of reporter or was it more like 'I want to experience some crazy shit and need to find a way to afford it"?

thanks!

I had an advisor at college who suggested I intern somewhere. I said if I was going to work for free, it would only be at my favorite magazine, VICE. That was in 2002/2003. I've been here ever since. Lots has changed for VICE over that decade, but the constant has been that I get to work with my best friends to make awesome shit we believe in.

Hey Ryan, Love Vice. What was the worst place you have been to? Do you also have to get different shot/vaccines before going to these countries

North Korea, hands down. There are places I've been with more clear & present danger, but I'll take a gang of dudes with guns over the feeling I'm being watched 24 hours a day.

Hi Ryan, huge fan of the show. I'm a reporter as well (in a much more boring capacity, unfortunately) and I'm quite jealous of what you guys get to do.

Is there anything too extreme in terms of coverage? In your editorial meetings, have you had to turn down something that's too intense? Cheers.

We don't pass on stories because they're too intense; but we do if that's the only reason to go. Shock value is fleeting; real stories that are underreported are what get us excited.

"What the fuck is an enchilada?!"

Holy shit.

Was the ear cleaning worth the Yen?

It was long overdue. That poor girl.

Were the Yakuza guys really seedy scary criminals or were they totally gentlemen and fun to be around?

Little bit of both. They're obviously a tough crew, but in the brief time we spent with them, they were also courteous and great hosts. And I've got that tattoo on my leg to remember them by.

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Give me the Macklemore, but less weird.

What really happened in the post-game after party? Did any N Korean officials say anything other than their talking points of Dear Leader/Marshall?

Sounds like a cop out, but I really can't even explain how bizarre it was. Massive banquet hall, KJU at center table with myself and the players, all-white-clad violin-playing all-girl band...It was hard to hear what anyone was saying because the "holyshitholyshitholyshit" loop playing in my head was too loud.

Have you been detained or debriefed or contacted by the NSA, FBI, CIA or any one, since you had dinner with an enemy of the state?

Oddly enough, no. We fully expected to be questioned as soon as we landed at JFK, but I've never been contacted in any capacity, nor has anyone in the crew.

how scared were you of sergei? and what were those plants he was spanking you with?

A teddy bear of a guy; it's tough to be scared when you're both half nude in a 120 degree sauna at 4am. I'd love to go back.

Your Portrait of a Russian Oligarch may have been one of my favorite stories, but it was so fucking short! What else did you guys do? What was the dynamic like between him and his wife Sofya?

We actually spent time with a number of oligarchs while we were in Moscow; Sergei just turned out to be the most compelling once we get into the edit.

Russia has changed so much in the last few decades; the opulence that characterized the first wave of Oligarchs is by and large a thing of the past as the move to more "legit" business and less decadence continues, but Sergei and a few others didn't get the memo.

What was it like visiting the ghost cities in China?

Surreal. Massive, sprawling towns with the population of a small apartment complex here in NYC. And the weirdest part is no one is willing/able to admit the problem; construction continues on new cities as the existing ones sit empty.

Best experience you've ever had? Seems like a lot of negative things you've seen but what about something positive?

Covering Arab Spring in Cairo is something I'll never forget. To be a part of something that is changing the shape of world history, harnessing new technology / youthful energy into a movement to better lives...it was inspiring to say the least.

How did Thomas Morton actually win that Senegalese wrestling match?

Low center of gravity. Never underestimate Baby Balls.

What is the most boring topic you have ever reported on? Like, you got the assignment and rolled your eyes and just tried to get it over with as soon as possible?

I don't want this to sound like a bullshit answer, because I mean it sincerely, but I've never been completely bored by a shoot. Are there moments when you're on your 8th hour of a long, cramped van ride, or killing time while waiting for an interview, etc? Sure. But at the end of the day, I get to meet folks all over the world and tell some pretty interesting stories. Coming from a guy whose previous work experience was scooping ice cream, waiting tables, and coaching basketball camps, you're not getting any complaints outta me.

Hey dude. What's your favorite vice story? Not just one you covered.

I've got a ton - most are not mine - but Mexican Mormon Wars always sticks out. A crazy combination of domestic politics, cartel wars, and great characters. Check it out: http://www.vice.com/vice-news/the-mexican-mormon-war-full-length

i really enjoyed the japan sex story, was there any other places that you went to that didn't make the cut? one more question, where does vice go from here? can we expect more long form documentaries over time? i hope you all keep up the good work.

We went to a slew of the host/hostess bars, but only showed a few. You can also buy a date by the hour, which I did with a girl dressed up in an anime costume for a stroll around the mall.

Expect a TON more long form documentaries on VICE.com as well as our YouTube channel, the launch of our brand new News channel, and S2 of the HBO show...to start.

What is Kim Jong Un like in person? I saw the documentary and you had the opportunity to meet him. I feel like he's really awkward.

Young. More so than anything else, he seems really, really young. Reports peg him anywhere from 29-31, but I was more struck by how he carried himself; people deferred to him, of course, but he didn't have the air of authority you attribute to most world leaders.

Have you ever wanted to intervene and try to help out the people you meet in your stories?

It's a natural human desire for sure. And in certain cases - like with the band featured in Heavy Metal in Baghdad - we have been able to stay in touch after the shoot and play a larger role in their lives.

Hey Ryan, first of all, I love the Vice show and when I first watched it with my dad (The North Korea episode) we thought it was satire because it was such a crazy string of events. I have two questions. First, where do you/ the vice researchers find the topics or get the ideas for the stories that you cover? Second, was there anything in the piece about Devil’s Breath because it was too disturbing or heavy for a large audience? Anyway thanks I’m a huge fan. Keep being awesomely tattooed.

VICE has 30+ offices all over the world - so the story pitches come in from some of the smartest, most connected folks globally.

The Devil's Breath piece has always stuck with me even 5 years later. I'll never forget sitting on the prostitute's bed - still covered in stuffed animals and all the trappings of childhood. Not sure how it read on camera, but pretty sobering in person.

Where did you get shot? And how did it feel?

Right in my gut - about in inch below the rib cage so as to not snap a bone. Felt like a very hard punch from a very small fist.

This is a broad question:

To me, VICE feels like one of the last bastions of real investigative journalism. When I watch the videos or read the articles, they are presented in a way a young person may actually perceive and experience the topic at hand.

Ryan, how do you feel about the current state of journalism? What can/should other organizations do? Are you optimistic?

There are a lot of reasons to get negative - turn on your TV this evening and take your pick - but yes, I'm wildly optimistic. There's a misperceptions that young people don't "care" about the news; that's wrong. There's just no one delivering it to them in a voice they can relate to.

I'm lucky enough to be surrounded by people at VICE who understand this, and are working to change it every day.

What advice would you give to an aspiring political journalist?

Reporting is the easy part. Get really good at listening.

Hi Ryan, I'm a huge fan of your work on Vice, I'm a videographer and it's actually a dream of mine to someday work for Vice doing something behind the camera.

My question is this: How did you get started at Vice? Were you a correspondent right off the bat or did you have to start doing other things like writing articles? How did you get to where you are at Vice?

Thank you

I started at VICE as an intern while I was still in college back in 2003. I basically kept showing up until they took pity on me and gave me a paycheck - that was 10 years ago and I've held on tight ever since.

Hey Ryan, huge fan! I'm always shocked by the places that you guys manage to bring a camera. How do you a) get in contact with some of these people (im thinking specifically about some of the people associated with criminal activity) and b) convince them to talk to you on camera?

Most folks - especially those who feel that they are misunderstood - jump at the chance to be able to tell their side of the story. The camera is a remarkably compelling tool.

What is the most intense experience you have ever had while working with Vice?

I've been detained a few times, but the worst was getting arrested in Egypt. I'd just had some rather questionable food, and my stomach was getting a little squirrely while we were interrogated. They finally let me out to use the bathroom, which was a pitch black room with water up to my shins and a small hole in the ground. It didn't go well.

ryan, seen all your segments. great, great work. i'm always left wondering... where do you find the cojones to enter these difficult and challenging situations? i.e. sitting down with yakuza and not blinking an eye...

Half pure, unadulterated stupidity, and half complete and total faith in my crew.

How uncomfortable were you during the cuddle cafe/BDSM segments?

What has been the coolest thing you've been able to do, whether associated with Vice, or not?

Did you attend college? Where and what for?

What would you change about your life?

What is the scariest topic you've filmed for?

Lots of questions in one; I'll pick the most salient. What I'd change: I'd really, really, really like to be able to dunk a basketball.

What was it like meeting Kim Jong-un?

We honestly didn't know until we turned a corner in this banquet hall that he'd be there; there was no time to prep, or plan a question, or even consider the gravity. We walked into a dining hall and he was standing there with his hand extended.

What's the greatest act of humanity you've seen thus far? Also, what's the weirdest thing you've eaten while abroad. I'm a huge fan, thanks for all you do! Your shows make me feel like I traveled with you to the destination.

I raced reindeer in Norway, which is a really heart-warming, family friendly activity until the end, when they kill and cook the last-place deer and serve him to all the racers. Very gamey.