Tag: hbo

“If oil company wants to buy your house, there’s oil underneath.”

From: Silicon Valley

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Jian Yang (but translating for another person)

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the HBO sitcom, Silicon Valley. The show focuses on a programmer who creates a new program that does file compression really well and manages to leverage that to create his own small startup called Pied Piper, which is the same name as the compression algorithm he created. Essentially a parody of the programming industry and how corporations can be rather cutthroat even when some people try to do good in the industry.

The quote is said in the Season 5 episode, Artificial Emotional Intelligence. In the episode, Jian Yang (played by Jimmy O. Yang) is trying to recreate the Pied Piper code in China. He’s approached by billionaire Gavin Benson (played by Matt Ross) to negotiate a price for the code. As Gavin keeps upping his purchasing price, one of Jian Yang’s programmers makes a comment in Chinese. Jian Yang then translates it for Gavin Belsom, telling him that he understands that the billionaire is intentionally lowballing him.

Geek wisdom: Powerful people will try to exploit others by various means. Whether it be with money, influence or power, they will try to deceive honest people by not telling them the full story. So, you have to be skeptical about offers that may seem too good to be true. That’s because it just might be true.

“Is you taking notes on a criminal fucking conspiracy?”

From: The Wire

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Stringer Bell

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote from the HBO crime drama series, The Wire. The show features an ensemble cast and each season is a deep dive into how crime and the criminal underworld affects society as a whole.

This week’s quote comes from the season 3 episode entitled “Straight and True.” Stringer Bell (played by Idris Elba) holds the first meeting of the New Day Co-Op, which assembles the drug dealing gangs of the neighborhood in order to minimize gang fighting. After the meeting, Bell notices Shamrock recording what was said during the meeting and admonishes him by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: Things that are supposed to be kept secret should be kept secret.

“You come at the king, you best not miss.”

From: The Wire

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Omar Little

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the HBO series, The Wire. The show is generally a crime drama that focuses on different areas of Baltimore, Maryland.

The quote comes from the 8th episode of the 1st season, entitled “Lessons” by Omar Little (played by Michael K. Williams). Stinkum and Wee-Bey from the Barksdale Organization plan to kill a drug dealer as part of Stinkum’s promotion/initiation. However, Omar Little is actually lying in wait. He kills Stinkum outright and wounds Wee-Bey. As Wee-Bey hides under cover, Omar delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom:  Always try to do the best job during your first attempt and try to treat it as if it was going to be your last attempt. Because there is a good chance it just may be your only chance to get it right.

“Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor. It can never be used to hurt you.”

From: Game of Thrones

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Tyrion Lannister

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the HBO series Game of Thrones. It is a medieval fantasy series based on the book series “A Song of Fire and Ice” by George R. R. Martin. The books focus on several families/houses vying for the Iron Throne and the right to control all of Westeros.

The quote comes from the very first episode of the series, “Winter is Coming.” Tyrion Lannister (played by Peter Dinklage) runs across Jon Snow (played by Kit Harrington). Tyrion Lannister recognizes Jon Snow as the illegitimate son of Ned Stark and calls  him a “bastard.” This does offend Jon Snow to a great degree. This is when Lannister gives him some advice…

Geek wisdom: We live in a world where people will try to ridicule you for what you are and we have a tendency to hide our true selves from the world. What most of us don’t realize that, if we do this, then we are not accepting ourselves for who we really are.

If we are honest with ourselves and allow ourselves to express our true nature, others, despite them trying to make fun of us for whatever it is, won’t be able to hurt us.

“I’m guilty of a far more monstrous crime. I’m guilty of being a dwarf.”

From: Game of Thrones

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Tyrion Lannister

The story behind the quote: The quote comes the HBO television series Game of Thrones. The hit fantasy television is based on George R. R. Martin’s book series entitled “A Song of Fire and Ice.” The series’ name actually comes from the first book of the series.

The quote comes from the sixth episode of the fourth season, The Laws of Gods and Men. Tyrion Lannister (played brilliantly by Peter Dinklage) is put on trial for the murder of King Joffrey during the Purple Wedding. Realizing the entire thing is a farce and he will never get a fair trial, Tyrion gives a defiant speech, stating what he is actually guilty of…

 

Geek wisdom: It’s hard to admit but various forms of discrimination is alive and well in our society. Whether it be racism, sexism or any other form of persecution, if someone is out of the social norm, they will be treated differently and, most of the time, unfairly. These people will have a difficult time getting a fair shake in the world.

As a society, we have to understand the cultural differences and actually break free from our preconceptions of social norms. This is the only way discrimination can truly be eradicated.