From: Terry Pratchett’s Hogfather
Genre: Movies/Books
Who said it?: Death
The story behind the quote: The quote from the television adaption of Terry Pratchett‘s Hogfather book. Set in the Discworld universe, the book/TV miniseries is all about the mysterious disappearance of The Hogfather, which is the Discworld’s equivalent of Santa Claus/Father Christmas. The story can be broken up into two parts. The first follows Death as he tries to take over the role of The Hogfather while he’s missing. The second has Death’s granddaughter, Susan Sto Helit, who Death has assigned to finding The Hogfather as The Hogfather is also linked to the sun rising each day.
The quote comes from the very end of the series. Susan Sto Helit has managed to find and revive The Hogfather and The Hogfather resumes his duties. She then talks to Death about what would’ve happened to the sun and Death replies that, instead of sun, a ball of gas and heat would’ve taken its place. Susan then clarifies then if it was just all a fantasy about the sun not rising. Death replies that people need fantasy as things like justice, mercy and duty do not really exist as the universe is essentially not just, merciful and orderly. Susan retorts that people need to believe in those things. This is when Death delivers the quote.
Geek wisdom: People can will things into existence in the metaphorical sense. If we want things to happen, we have to make it happen. If we really want the world to live in peace, despite history telling us it’s impossible, we have to first believe it’s possible and strive to make it work. That’s the only way things that seem impossible can become the possible.
My Geek Wisdom 