“Help me help you!”

From: Jerry Maguire

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Jerry Maguire

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from Jerry Maguire. The film itself has become a sort of cultural icon as there are a lot of memorable quotes from the film and this may be the first one I’m using. Anyway, the movie is about Jerry Maguire, a popular sports agent. He is fired from his agency after writing a letter noting how dishonest other sports agents are. He then focuses all his strengths on his sole client, Rod Tidwell, a wide receiver who believes he’s better than he really is.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. A frustrated Jerry (played by Tom Cruise) pleads with Rod (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) to try to ease up with his demands. Jerry tells the football star that he has been working really hard to meet his demands but he’s at his breaking point.

Geek wisdom: We can be too proud to ask for assistance at times. We can feel foolish or we don’t want to come off as weak. So, instead of asking for help, we instead needlessly trudge on with the problem.

This is totally incorrect. In fact, it’s actually a sign of strength to ask for help when you realize you require it. Nobody’s perfect. We can be great at everything but there is always someone out there that will be willing to help you work on those weaknesses.

 

“Don’t blame me. I voted for Kodos.”

From: The Simpsons

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Homer Simpson

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from The Simpsons’ 7th Treehouse of Horror special. The Treehouse of Horror is the show’s annual Halloween television special where the show spoofs various films and television shows. As such, they don’t fall into the regular “continuity” of the show’s illustrious 25 years of being on the air. One of the mainstays of the Treehouse of Horror specials is the appearance of the aliens Kang and Kodos. While they do appear in the episodes, they mostly are relegated to the background.

However, the segment Citizen Kang, they’re actually the ones that push the story forward. The aliens replace Bill Clinton and Bob Dole and run for the presidency in their place. Even after Homer exposes the aliens’ plot, Kang gets elected as “it’s a two-party system.” While the human race is building a weapon for the aliens, Homer reveals who he voted for.

Geek wisdom: It’s easy to focus blame on someone else. It’s almost instinctive for a lot of people and it’s understandable. No one wants to be the cause or the one at fault for anything bad. But someone has “to take the blame” and most of us are fine as long as it’s not them!

However, this is the wrong way of thinking. We have to own up to our mistakes when we commit them. That’s the only way we’ll learn from them. If we steer blame away from ourselves, the only thing we learn is how to avoid taking responsibility.

“Where did you learn to fly?”

From: Cybermorph

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Skylar

The story behind the quote: Cybermorph is a 3D shooter that was released on the Atari Jaguar video game console. While the game was nothing spectacular and definitely wasn’t memorable, Cybermorph did gain some publicity when the Internet personality called The Angry Video Game Nerd reviewed the Atari Jaguar console in the 65th and 66th episodes of his show.

The main focus of the Nerd’s rage was the the pilot’s AI assistant, Skylar. Skylar is a floating green head who’s main purpose was to assist the player in navigating the world. However, whenever you crash into a solid object, be it a mountain, wall or otherwise, Skylar would berate you by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: People will make mistakes. It’s part of living. The thing is we should learn from these mistakes. In fact, we shouldn’t be scared of making mistakes. As long as we can survive and better ourselves afterwards, committing errors is a valuable way to learn and improve ourselves.

Another point to know is to not insult or focus too much on the errors of others. If you want people to learn, you have to encourage them to do so. Besides, you wouldn’t want people telling you the same thing over and over again, reminding you of your failure, right?

GeekWisdom is now My Geek Wisdom!

I’ve been posting a lot of quotes on this website for roughly two years and I’ve decided to make it an “official” website. Instead of being just another WordPress blog, GeekWisdom now has its own domain!

Unfortunately, I’m unable to register geekwisdom.com since someone already got it. So, instead, the site is being renamed “My Geek Wisdom” (which was one of the original titles I was considering) and can be found by going to:

http://www.mygeekwisdom.com

There are going to be a couple of changes to the site in the future as well but I’ll start out slowly with this name change since this is going to be somewhat of an adjustment as it is!

Anyway, if you have any suggestions for entries, such as any memorable quotes from movies, video games, television shows and the like, please leave them in the comments section below! If I can think of any Geek Wisdom that can be squeezed from it, you’ll get the proper credit.

Thanks for all your support and I hope you continue visiting the site!

“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…”

From: Star Wars

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: No One (Opening Sequence for all Star Wars films)

The story behind the quote: I don’t think I need to give a synopsis for the Star Wars films. The franchise is heavily ingrained in pop culture history. Its story, characters and even its fictional history is widely known throughout the world and by different ages. But most people don’t consider that the films happen, not only in a totally different galaxy, but way back in the past.

The films actually attempt to remind the viewer of this fact every movie. At the start of each Star Wars films (even before the opening crawl), they would note that the story you are about to watch already happened in a far away place in the stars…

Geek wisdom: History is very important. You may not know it but it has shaped you in ways you may never be aware of. The actions of people way, way in the past have affected the world in different ways, reaching out from time and influences you in some, unforeseen manner. And, in turn, your actions, no matter how small they may be, will have some impact on the world in the future.

“No way! Why should I change? He’s the one who sucks!”

From: Office Space

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Michael Bolton

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from Office Space, a film created by Mike Judge (the same guy who conceived Beavis and Butt-head). I’ve already given a summary of the movie since I did create an entry for it before (and it’s about a printer error) so I won’t summarize the plot. Suffice to say, if you want to watch a good comedy flick, you owe it to yourself to watch Office Space.

Anyway, the quote comes from the start of the film where we’re introduced to the main characters, including the tragically named Michael Bolton. When his friend, Samir Nagheenanajar, complains that everyone mispronounces his name, Michael rebuffs and says he’s lucky that he doesn’t have the same name as the famous singer. Samir suggests that he use Mike instead, Michael Bolton explains his reason as to why…

Geek wisdom: People will try to make you change to suit their own image of what they want you to be. They’ll reason out that it’s for your own good if you stop reading comics. Or they’ll say watching and enjoying video games and cartoons are only for children. They will give many more arguments as to why changing will be “for your own good.”

As long as you’re not hurting yourself or hurting others, there’s no reason for you to follow their advice. Most people just want others to conform to their version of “normality.” But the problem is not with you; it’s with them. If you’re happy with the way you are, then you can stay the way you are.

“Pop, pop!”

From: Community

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Magnitute

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the cult sitcom Community, but not from one of the main cast. Rather, the quote is the catchphrase of one of the supporting cast members. The man with a “magnetic attitude,” Magnitude!

While he doesn’t contribute much to the show (he never really got his own storyline like Fat Neil did), his paths did cross the gang of Greendale once in a while. Besides being a one man party (that’s his official occupation), he’s know for saying the quote for this week while performing his signature “raise the roof” hand gesture at the same time.

Geek wisdom: Magnitude became notoriously known for saying his catchphrase, so he’s known for saying those two words. That’s because when you say or do something often enough, you begin to get a reputation based on it. Now, whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing depends on you.

If you frequently lie to others, you’ll gain a reputation of being a liar. If you often follow the honest route, you’ll get a reputation of being a trustworthy person. If you think you can simply erase your reputation, you’d be wrong. It’s better to build good standing from the start rather than having to tear down your “bad” one.

“I have been – and always shall be – your friend.”

From: Star Trek

Genre: Movies/ Television

Who said it?: Spock

The story behind the quote: This is a first! Not only am I using another Star Trek quote from the second film, The Wrath of Khan, but I’m also going to use the exact same clip from one of this blog’s earliest entries! So, I won’t really be writing that long of a set up for this one.

Spock had to enter the warp core of the ship to repair the engines so that they could escape destruction. Because of this, he has been exposed to a fatal dose of radiation and is dying. Kirk rushes to his aid but is unable to help his friend. As he’s dying, Spock tells Kirk about how he “feels” about his relationship with the Captain of the USS Enterprise.

Geek wisdom: It’s easy to cherish your friends when you’re with them all the time. But what about the time when you don’t meet up with them every day? The sad part of this is friendships can fade away, no matter how many times you check their status message on Facebook.

Still, even if this does happen, you will always be their friend. When you see each other after ages of being apart, it’s easy to rekindle that friendship. All it takes is that one time.

“The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world.”

From: Half-Life 2

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: G-Man

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from Half-Life 2. Developed by Valve, it is the second game in the Half-Life series and continues the adventures of scientist Gordon Freeman in a dystopian future. Both games have been met with critical praise due to the game’s deep storyline and excellent game mechanics.

The quote comes from the start of the game and delivered by the mysterious G-Man. During the introductory cutscene, G-Man wakes Gordon from stasis and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Circumstances may put you in a terrible situation. You could have made an innocent mistake and the problem you were trying to fix snowballed into something bigger. Or you could have just been minding your own business when a crisis suddenly erupts. No matter the reason, you have to face the fact that you’re right smack in the middle of it. And hiding or saying it’s none of your business is going to be out of the question.

In fact, fate may have put you there because you are the one who will be able to resolve the situation. So, if you have a solution and you know how to resolve the problem, dive headlong and do whatever it takes to be part of the solution, not the problem.

“Stand firm for what you believe in, until and unless logic and experience proves you wrong.”

From: Daria

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Daria Morgendorffer

The story behind the quote: This is my second post with a quote from the MTV animated television show Daria. Daria, even though she is a pessimistic but observant teenager, she does manage to impart a lot of wisdom throughout the series’ 5 seasons. 

The quote comes from the swan song of the entire series. “Is It College Yet?” is actually the second TV movie. As Daria graduates from high school, she has to make some big decisions such as what to do with her boyfriend, which college to go to and so on.

During the graduation ceremony, she is awarded the special Dian Fossey award for her academic achievements. While she could have just gave a cynical speech about the future, she actually dispenses some helpful advice to her classmates and fellow graduates.

In all honesty, I really wanted to put her entire speech as the quote but it would be too long. But, you will get the gist of her message from the first few lines she says…

Geek wisdom: We all have our own beliefs and people will try to bend you into believing that they’re wrong. While it’s okay to “stand up” to these people, we shouldn’t stubbornly cling to our opinions when they are proven to be incorrect.

We should be able to accept, as flawed individuals, we are prone to mistakes and part of being human is owning up to our own mistakes and making the necessary changes when we are proven wrong.

Oh, and take the time to enjoy a slice of pizza once in a while.