Web Series – My Geek Wisdom

“There is no such thing as a coincidence.”

From: Tiktok/YouTube

Genre: Internet/Web Series

Who said it?: William Knight/grandrisingapp

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the world of TikTok and YouTube and it’s from a meme from 2020.

William Knight created the grandrisingapp account on Tiktok to promote is self-affirmation app called Grand Rising. He became widely known thanks to his very piercing stare (wherein he uses a filter to get the eyes) and very serious tone. He blew up as a meme when, during one of his videos, a jogger brushed past him and she lets out an audible scream after he turns to her.

Geek wisdom: Life does have a lot of twists and turns and, for the most part, all of our decisions and choices we’ve made has led us down the path we are on. Whether consciously or subconsciously, we are where we are right now because of what we’ve done.

“It goes in the square hole.”

From: Tiktok/YouTube

Genre: Internet/Web Series

Who said it?: @brock1137 with @tired_actor

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the world of TikTok and YouTube and it’s from a meme from 2021

In 2020, @brock1137 made a Tiktok video playing with a block shape sorter. However, instead of putting the blocks into the intended slots/holes, he just put everything through the square hole as everything could pass through it. The video because viral when @tired_actor made a Tiktok video of her reacting badly every time the block was dropped in the “wrong” hole, getting more and more distressed as the video goes on.

Geek wisdom: There will always be people who will think outside the box and not follow conventional wisdom. That’s not necessarily a bad thing because, as long as it gets the job done, then there shouldn’t be anything wrong with it, right?

“Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.”

From: America’s Top 40

Genre: Internet/Radio

Who said it?: Casey Kasem

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote is kind of an oddball because it didn’t originally come from the Internet, television, movies or cartoons. Rather, it comes from the radio, specifically, the America’s Top 40 program. However, it does have some geeky links as it comes from the original voice of Shaggy from Scooby-Doo.

The quote actually comes from Casey Kasem, a radio DJ and the aforementioned voice of Shaggy. As the host of America’s Top 40 and it’s subsequent television version, America’s Top 10, he would count down the biggest music hits of the time. Just before the show would end, he would sign off with his signature catchphrase, which would be this week’s quote.

Geek wisdom: There’s no harm in chasing for success. However, you should always remember your roots and keep yourself grounded.

“And boom goes the dynamite.”

From: YouTube

Genre: Internet/Web Series

Who said it?: Brian Collins

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from an old viral video depicting probably the most deadpan way of exclaiming excitement.

In March 2005, Brian Collins, a college freshman attending Ball State University, found out the regular sportscaster for their college’s television station was sick. As he wanted to become a reporter himself, he volunteered to fill in. The only problems were, one, Brian was not a sports guy and, two, he was hastily given the topics and wasn’t awarded any time to prepare. This resulted in Brian giving one of the most stilted, monotone and definitely the least exciting sports reel and forever embedding the quote in the public consciousness.

Geek wisdom: People forget that there’s more to just the words when you talk. It’s also the manner in how you express it and how you’re emotions are conveyed when you talk. Things like emphasis and tone can greatly alter the meaning of what you say.

“It’s still real to me, dammit!”

From: YouTube

Genre: Internet

Who said it?: David Wills

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from an old viral video involving wrestling. Rather, it comes from a long time fan, David Wills.

David Wills attended at wrestling show which just so happened to have a Q&A section, featuring some old-time wrestling legends like Jim Cornette and Terry Funk. Before the show, Wills managed to get a glimpse of another wrestling legend, Harley Race, having difficulty moving around. This kind of shocked David Wills as he remembered watching “King” Harley Race as a kid and how lively he was then. The wrestling world also was recently stunned with the sudden passing of Eddie Guerrero then.

These two factors affected David Wills as he knows how much wrestlers hurt themselves for the viewers’ entertainment. So, when he was given the mic to ask a question during the Q&A panel, he emotionally delivered the quote.

Geek wisdom: Let people have their fun and like the things they like. You’re not accomplishing anything by spoiling their fun or raining on their parade.

“It’s only game. Why you heff to be mad?”

From: YouTube/The Score

Genre: Video Games, Internet

Who said it?: Ilya Bryzgalov

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from an old viral video involving, of all things, hockey. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a whole lot of wisdom here.

In 2006, a prominent Edmonton Oilers player named Chris Pronger was traded to the Anaheim Ducks. This was a controversial trade at the time and Edmonton Oilers fans became upset with the player. This led to an interview with the goalie for the Anaheim Ducks, Ilya Bryzgalov. He was asked about his thoughts on the trade and what he thought about why fans are upset. This led to the Russian giving the quote in reply.

Geek wisdom: We can take things a little too seriously at times. If we become extremely passionate about something, we can even take things a little too far. Sometimes, it’s best to take things in perspective and check whether something is important enough to be upset about.

“This doesn’t seem physically possible!”

From: Red vs. Blue

Genre: Web Series

Who said it?: Capt. Lavernicus Tucker and Pvt. Jimmy

The story behind the quote: Red Vs. Blue is machinima series, which means that is uses video games (in Red vs. Blue’s case, the Halo series on Xbox) instead of using actual actors nor fancy CGI models. RoosterTeeth started making episodes for the series since way back in 2003, making it one of the longest running web series ever.

The quote comes from way back in the series’ first season episode, A Shadow of His Former Self. Church comes back as a ghost (long story) to warn the Blue team about Tex as Church had a really bad experience with the freelancer. Church retells the story of when he was stationed in Sidewinder. He was out in patrol with his partner Jimmy when his entire squad was annihilated by Tex.

According to Church, Tex beat Jimmy to death with his own skull. Of course, Tucker found this incredibly unlikely… which was the exact thing Jimmy was thinking.

Geek wisdom: There are some things that are only impossible if you think they’re impossible. Sure, it can be incredibly difficult but it can still be done as long as you keep at it. A lot of great inventions and the modern conveniences we currently enjoy were built on the things that people thought were “impossible” before, such as the light bulb or little tiny computers that could fit in the palm of our hand. But, thanks to people that question what is impossible, we have these things.

Question what is impossible.

“My body is ready!”

From: Youtube (More specifically, the 2007 Nintendo E3 Press Conference)

Genre: Video Games, Internet

Who said it?: Reggie Fils-Aime

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from, of all things, the 2007 Nintendo E3 Press Conference. During the reveal of the Balance Board for the Wii Fit, Reggie Fils-Aime was called out on stage to demonstrate how the accessory works alongside Shigeru Miyamoto. As Reggie stepped on the Balance Board, he awkwardly delivered the quote.

The quote has since become an Internet meme of sorts.

Geek wisdom: In this day of age, it’s extremely easy to have a sedentary lifestyle. From the prevalence of fastfood and easy to prepare snacks to the ability to order things online and have machines do the heavy lifting for us, a lot of us have fallen into the trap of laziness. However, when we least expect it, we may need to actually do some manual labor. But we may not be able to because we have become of this unhealthy lifestyle.

Take some time to exercise once in a while.

“The ‘hammer’ is my penis.”

From: Dr. Horrible Sing-Along Blog

Genre: Internet/Web Series

Who said it?: Captain Hammer

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the Web Series called Dr. Horrible Sing-Along Blog. It’s a three episode series regaling the tale of the misunderstood “villain” Dr. Horrible (played by Neil Patrick Harris), his “superhero” archenemy, Captain Hammer (played by Nathan Fillion) and their shared love interest, Penny (played by Felicia Day). It is, of all things, a musical comedy, focusing on Dr. Horrible’s attempt to join the Evil League of Evil but is torn because of his unrequited love for Penny.

The quote comes from the second episode of the series. Dr. Horrible, in his “civilian” disguise, has befriended Penny and has gotten close to her. During one of their casual encounters in a laundromat, Penny introduces Dr. Horrible to his boyfriend, Captain Hammer. While Penny leaves to check on her wash, Captain Hammer taunts Dr. Horrible that he is going to show her his “hammer” later tonight.

Geek wisdom: We live in an extremely confusing world where things have hidden meanings and double entendre. Some phrases can have life lesson buried beneath the surface, a fact which is the basis for My Geek Wisdom!

Sometimes, it’s best to clear up the smoke and mirrors and just be frank about what you are trying to convey. Hiding it behind confusing words can distort its meaning. If you want to be clear about something, say it bluntly.

“We just finished level 3 and need to tighten up the graphics a little bit.”

From: Westwood College

Genre: Internet

Who said it?: “Game Designer #1”

The story behind the quote: Gaming became a very big thing during the 90’s and kids who played video games really dreamed about working in the gaming industry in one form or another. Because of this, a lot of schools decided to offer gaming-centric courses. One of these colleges would be Westwood College.

The quote comes from its commercials that was produced, showing that they have a course of game design. The commercial shows two people having fun playing a game, when a woman (supposedly a supervisor) tells them that she needs another game tested. This is when “Game Designer #1” turns to the woman and delivers the quote.

As a bonus, I think that the games “Game Designer #1” and “Game Designer #2” did get made. You can see their games in Action 52. You can see the Angry Video Game Nerd give his thoughts on them below.

Geek wisdom: If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. What is problematic about this commercial is that gamers can see through it as fake almost immediately. It looks like the person who wrote the commercial for Westwood College has very little knowledge on actually how much work it takes to get a game created. And it shows as no one in the gaming industry uses the term “tighten up the graphics.”

Sometimes, though, we can still fall for those tricks, such as “get rich quick” schemes. We just have to be aware of these lies and not fall for them.