The Simpsons Talk Crypto and Blockchain in Latest Episode
Crypto and blockchain technology was the main focus of the latest episode of The Simpsons. The appearance of digital currencies on the popular animated TV show is the latest in a growing list of pop culture references for virtual currencies.
“Frinkcoin”: Cryptocurrency Explainer Video on the Simpsons
In the episode titled Frinkcoin, Professor Frink, one of the characters on the show develops a cryptocurrency, temporarily dislodging Mr. Burns as the richest person in Springfield — a fictional city that serves as the show’s main setting.
Jim Parsons who famously played genius theoretical physicist, Dr. Sheldon Cooper, on the hit TV sitcom — The Big Bang Theory, offers a voice-over explanation of basic crypto and blockchain principles. An excerpt from one of Parsons’ monologues reads:
“For cryptocurrency to work, we need a record of every transaction that occurs. These are recorded in what’s called a distributed ledger. When you use the currency, the transaction is recorded in the ledger. And when one ledger book gets filled up, we add to a chain of previous books. That’s the blockchain.”
Over the years, The Simpsons has gained notoriety for eerily accurate predictions of future events. Episodes on the show have correctly foretold events like the discovery of the Higgs boson, NSA clandestine spying programs, Donald Trump becoming U.S. President, and FIFA corruption scandal among others.
However, in its crypto episode, the show did not offer any prediction concerning virtual currencies but did tease a Satoshi Nakamoto reveal. An excerpt from the show referencing the anonymous Bitcoin (BTC) creator reads:
“So, we have big buildings full of energy-gobbling air-conditioned computers solving useless math problems. But now we can’t have straws? Also, we know who Satoshi is, but we are not telling.”
Crypto in Pop Culture
From Scrabble words to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) and even collectibles, cryptos appear to be gaining more popularity in pop culture. Back in October 2019, Satoshi became the latest addition to the crypto lexicon on the OED.
Popular streaming platform Netflix has also created feature documentaries on cryptocurrencies. Digital currencies have also become a major part of the meme economy further boosting its appeal among the upwardly mobile millennial demographic.
Crypto stakeholders will be hoping that increased penetration of digital assets in pop culture leads to more broad-based adoption of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.
