This is topic It doesn't do anything. That's the beauty of it. in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.


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Posted by HRE (Member # 6263) on :
 
quote:
"But what does it do?"
"Do? It doesn't do anything. That's the beauty of it."

As a total n00b, I have taken it upon myself to solve one of the greatest mysteries to ever plague Hatrack or the Internet.

Indeed, using the astounding research skills and intuition that have been granted to me by Vlod, I was able to track down the origin of the quote.

Hint: Its not Lake Victoria.

So, has someone already figure it out, making me look like a total fool, or does nobody know?

[Evil] [Evil Laugh] If the latter is true... [Evil Laugh] [Evil]

[ March 06, 2004, 12:15 AM: Message edited by: HRE ]
 
Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
 
[Wave] I want to know. It's been driving me nuts since its original thread.

[edit: I am officially not too bright]

[ March 06, 2004, 12:12 AM: Message edited by: fiazko ]
 
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
I like to pride myself on being pretty good at internet searches. So the gauntlet has been thrown down! I cannot deny the challange. I can see that there are many people out there on the 'net racking their brains trying to figure it out. I have one supposedly confirmed source of the quote, but it is fairly obscure and not exactly right. So the search continues....
 
Posted by MEC (Member # 2968) on :
 
I think I found it, I don't know how reliable the source is though...I'm not going to say though, I don't want to spoil it for others.
 
Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
 
I am past the point of spoiling. Email me the answer! I must know!

*prepares to get used to disappointment*
 
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
 
Certainly don't post it unless you *know*. In order to know, you have to have seen that part of the movie and verified it.
 
Posted by HRE (Member # 6263) on :
 
MEC & beverly, if you have what I have, I am very busily trying to verify it in two different ways. Give me a day, I should have rock-solid evidence. If you guys get the concrete first, by all means, post it.
 
Posted by Taalcon (Member # 839) on :
 
The entire internet has done this search. It doesn't exist - at least no longer in this plane of existence... [Monkeys]
 
Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
 
GOD! Stop torturing us and just tell us!!!
 
Posted by Da_Goat (Member # 5529) on :
 
It's probably from a television commercial. That would explain its familiarity and obscurity.

[ March 06, 2004, 01:18 AM: Message edited by: Da_Goat ]
 
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
I, unfortunately, have no way I know of to confirm it. I did find one person who said that it is not the source, but someone else who confirmed it immediately after watching it. So I eagerly await to see, HRE, if you do confirm it and if it is the same.
 
Posted by alath (Member # 6150) on :
 
My mind keeps going back to the Simpsons but I have a feeling that's not it.

[Wall Bash] This is so irritating!!!
 
Posted by HRE (Member # 6263) on :
 
Beverly, I should have the film in a minimum of one day, a maximum of four.
 
Posted by Rappin' Ronnie Reagan (Member # 5626) on :
 
I can totally hear the Professor saying it in my head.
 
Posted by Fitz (Member # 4803) on :
 
I can picture Steve Erkel(Urkel?), saying this about one of his zany inventions.
 
Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
 
Everyone on the web has been looking for this for a long time, yet no one has ever come to a definitive conclusion.

So it seems like we have another case of "I'm totally sure! I can remember seeing it! Now I just have to download the movie from Kazaa and confirm my total rightness!"

Forgive me if I don't hold my breath.

As it is, I was going to check my HHGttG miniseries, but my CD-ROM won't read the damn thing.
 
Posted by BrianM (Member # 5918) on :
 
Spaceballs
 
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
Here's the script to Spaceballs. I haven't found it yet.

Yes I'm pathetic.
 
Posted by Fitz (Member # 4803) on :
 
Use Ctrl-F. If that script is accurate, it doesn't come from Spaceballs.

[ March 06, 2004, 02:48 AM: Message edited by: Fitz ]
 
Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :
 
Twas Kramer explaining his invention.
One of the very few moments that I watched Seinfeld.
 
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
Thank you aspectre. Now the suspense is over. *breathes*
 
Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
 
I can totally picture Kramer saying something like that. George used similar language regarding his NBC pilot "The show is about nothing, that's the beauty of it!"

But these guesses were given in the old thread (which I bumped out of evilness) and for some reason they were not confirmed?

I personally think several shows has similar quotes (Seinfeld, Simpsons, Fraiser, etc) but not the EXACT quote we're looking for. That's why we will never find the exact source but will alawys swear this phrase sounds familiar.

Either that or it is time to reset the Matrix again.
 
Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
 
I'm watching the Seinfeld episode right now. The Doorman. Season 6, episode 18. Where Kramer invents the new male undergarment.

There are two more it could be--The Opposite, where he promotes the invention he thought of in The Cigar Store Indian (previous episode): A book that folds out into a coffee table.

[edit: not in any of those. Anything more specific regarding episode, aspectre?]

[ March 06, 2004, 08:38 AM: Message edited by: Frisco ]
 
Posted by cochick (Member # 6167) on :
 
I searched and came up with two options - neither of which is Seinfeld. I think one is right though I even think I know when its said. I'm thinking classic sci-fi here - am I warm HRE!

I couldn't verify it without either a book or the movie though. I might head down to the library and grab the book - or buy the movie!

[ March 06, 2004, 08:02 AM: Message edited by: cochick ]
 
Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
 
If anyone has any specific Simpson's episodes that should be checked, let me know. I have all of them and episode guides if I can't figure out an episode from your description.

But I still think this quote never existed.
 
Posted by Xavier (Member # 405) on :
 
Me too. I just wish everyone else would come to that conclusion as well.
 
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
 
It must exist out there somewhere -- I remember hearing it. And I'm sure it was on TV..

*runs off to ask kids - who have a better memory*

Farmgirl
 
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
 
[Evil Laugh]
[Evil Laugh]
[Evil Laugh]
[Evil Laugh]
 
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
 
--I--
 
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
 
*echoes mack*

For some reason, I can't get William Shatner out of my head saying that quote. And it can't have been for an old Star Trek, because I've only seen maybe two of those, and a long time ago. Maybe on of his many commercials?
 
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
 
*wonders how many times mack has given her the bird*
 
Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :
 
I have the BBC HHGttG miniseries RIGHT HERE and i'll make greg watch it with me today, Eddie.

It bugged me like heck when the first thread came out and unlike you I am unable to convince myself it just doesn't exist. IT MUST!
 
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
 
I still have to vote for it being a Willie Wonka thing -- but that movie was just on last week, and I wasn't paying much attention to it....

FG
edit: but I must be wrong, because it isn't listed HERE

[ March 06, 2004, 10:01 AM: Message edited by: Farmgirl ]
 
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
 
I wonder where I put my "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" book -- I know it is one of those boxes in my room somewhere.....

FG
 
Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :
 
PSI, that's why scientific notation was invented.
 
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
 
BWA HAHAHA!

I can only imagine the birds mack will be giving you in the future, FC.
 
Posted by aka (Member # 139) on :
 
This puzzle doesn't intrigue me, because it's mostly likely something from tv, so who cares? But what really bothers me is this. I KNOW that I've read somewhere in Tolkien that Smeagol and Deagol were cousins (though not necessarily first cousins), and several other people also remember having read that. But where? The best textual reference they've come up with at TORN states that they were most likely relatives. And even that, if I'm remembering right, is in some of the ancillary texts that I hadn't read until pretty recently. I don't think it's that.

I seem to have known that they were cousins for a long time. That means it must have been in the Hobbit, the Lord of the Rings, or the Silmarillion. Those were all I'd read until the last few years. Could an earlier edition have been amended to remove the cousin text? I'm very puzzled.
 
Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :
 
Flocks, PSI. Flocks.
 
Posted by eslaine (Member # 5433) on :
 
o_0
 
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
 
AK, maybe it was in some older movie, ie. the Hobbit cartoon.
 
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
 
[Big Grin]
 
Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
 
The thing about the Hitchhiker miniseries is that it stayed pretty word for word with the book, and it's not in the book.

I don't think.

I like to see all the people laughing evilly, thinking they know the answer. They're gonna feel pretty silly when it's proven not to exist. [Razz]
 
Posted by T. Analog Kid (Member # 381) on :
 
If it's Hitchiker, I bet it's in the radio scripts, not the movie/book... unfortunately, my radio script is lost [Frown]
 
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
 
Frisco, you can't prove something not to exist. [Razz]

I bet you already knew that.
 
Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :
 
I still think this explanation for the phenomenon is one worth serious (or at least semi-serious) consideration:

In another thread, I said:

quote:
Well, there's at least one other possibility. Others might be afraid to mention this as a possibility, but I have a high embarrassment threshold, a healthy degree of paranoia, and a good imagination.

We could be the victims of careless meddlers in the timestream.

I reckon something like the following could have happened.

In our original timestream, there was a very popular movie that most of us watched. The most memorable line of the movie was the one we've all been trying to track down. Maybe it won an Oscar (probably just for soundtrack, costume, or special effects, though.).

That was the original timestream. Here's where it gets dicey. I figure some irresponsible traveller from our future (maybe even our present - I don't read too many technical journals) made trip into our collective pasts and did something - something that - either by accident or design, resulted in this movie never being shown or maybe even made.

So this movie that made an impression on so many of us no longer exists. But the memory of our favorite line, like a ghost track on a poorly rerecorded casette tape, still rings in our memory.

Looks like the future is much the same as the present - there's never a Time Cop around when you need one.


 
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 
Anne Kate, did you ever play the Middle-Earth Role-Playing Game (MERP), or read the Encyclopedia of Middle-Earth? In both sources, Deagol is identified as a cousin. (I've been looking, myself, ever since that thread. *grin* And these are the closest "primary" sources I can find yet, although I haven't given up.)
 
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 
Furthermore, I remain CONVINCED that "It doesn't DO anything; that's the beauty of it" is from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. No one will ever persuade me otherwise. [Smile]
 
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
 
Are you convinced because you heard it?
 
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
 
Sounds to me like the Auction episode from Dick Van Dyke.

Hobbes [Smile]
 
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
 
The reason William Shatner comes to mind is because he used a similar line in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, when explaining to Spock why he can sell the glass that McCoy gave him in the future.

Spock: Weren't those a gift from Dr. McCoy?
Kirk: And they will be again. That's the beauty of it.

Close, but no cigar. I'm starting to think that the quote is a combination of phrases that have been used in different places, but sound maddeningly familiar because the cadence sounds right.

[ March 06, 2004, 01:00 PM: Message edited by: Chris Bridges ]
 
Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
 
Very nice CB.

quote:
I KNOW that I've read somewhere in Tolkien that Smeagol and Deagol were cousins (though not necessarily first cousins), and several other people also remember having read that.
I don't think there is specific text in the trilogy identifying them as cousins. There might be something in the Lost Tales, but I have to check.

Smeagol lived with an extended family. So maybe Deagol lived with the same family and therefore is likely to be a cousin of some sort.
 
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
 
Could it be in a book rather than a movie?

Mark Twain?

AJ

[ March 06, 2004, 02:05 PM: Message edited by: BannaOj ]
 
Posted by delicate flower (Member # 6260) on :
 
A lot of you are convinced this is from "A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." But, I don't think so. I'm a little ashamed to admitt this, but I've never read AHGttG, and that quote is still very familar. (I'm not going to be kicked out of Hatrack for my lack, am I? It's one of those books I'm always meaning to read, but never seem to get to.)

[ March 06, 2004, 02:52 PM: Message edited by: delicate flower ]
 
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
 
It's only familiar to you because people talk about it/quote it so much.
 
Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :
 
PSI T: that doesn't apply to me. My first reading of it was accompanied with a sense of "deja vu" and even an auditory memory when this first came up.

All of which confirms my suspicion this is a result of someone messing with the timestream! [Grumble]
 
Posted by Godric (Member # 4587) on :
 
Hmmm... And I was thinking that if it was associated with William Shatner, it had to have then come from Airplane II: The Sequel. But I highly doubt it.
 
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
 
For some reason I'm also reminded of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the movie).

Hobbes [Smile]
 
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
 
I've got the e-book versions of all the Hitchhikers Guide books, so I did a search. The phrase "the beauty of it" doesn't appear even once.

I can't vouch for the radio script versions, or the televised one, but I can't think of where it would have come up, either.

Don't have an easy way to search "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," but the transcript of the movie is available online and the phrase doesn't appear there, either.
 
Posted by Anna (Member # 2582) on :
 
The sentence makes me think about the Monty Pythons. Did someone though of it ?
 
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
 
Okay, so I'm not toally insane, then. Thanks Chris.

I'm now no closer to figuring it out, but at least I know my Shatner wasn't toally off.

[Wall Bash] [Wall Bash] [Wall Bash]
 
Posted by alath (Member # 6150) on :
 
I was thinking about this last night and I too thought of Monty Python. Maybe in one of the episodes, does anyone have them?
 
Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
 
I have a different question. Where did this question originate?

When you do a brief search on google, you will see a lot of forums discussing this very question. Can anyone find out who was the first person to infected the web with this question? [Smile]
 
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
 
I think the reason it seems familiar to everybody is that it's very easy to imagine just about anyone saying it.

Seriously, listen to it in your head as the following people; it works for all of them.

Moe the Bartender
Tony Soprano
Michael Caine
John Cleese
James Earl Jones
Patcick Stewart
Robert De Niro
Christopher Walkin (actually, this one is my favorite)
Gene Hackman
George Carlin
Ellen Degeneriss
Geena Davis
The guy that played Brody in Mall Rats
Anyone from Buffy or Angel [Smile]
Yoda

It's just a very versatile set of sentences.

Dagonee
P.S., you need to capitalize both letters in the first "do."
 
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
 
Beren, I think the internet questions originated from here. Intially, there was nothing googlable -- and then Hatrackers started to spread the evil meme by peppering other forums with the question.

Dag: yep. [Smile]
 
Posted by Taalcon (Member # 839) on :
 
Could it have been us that started it? Because I know when the first question was raised here, I did an online search and it didn't come up at all. I know we sent seekers into imdb to ask, and immediately got threads spanning pages.

So...is Hatrack to blame for the internet phenomenon?

[And CT chimes in a moment before I did [Cool] ]

[ March 06, 2004, 10:57 PM: Message edited by: Taalcon ]
 
Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
 
We shot a meme into the air, where it fell we do not care. [Smile]

Thanks CT! That is so awesome, in a way. Thalia, you created the perfect storm. [Cool]

*Still waiting patiently for Ebert to answer his email*
 
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
 
could we ask snopes?
 
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
 
Maybe we can get Lucas to digitally insert the line into American Graffiti and claim it was always there...
 
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
 
Or get OSC to put it Ender's Game... [Big Grin]

Hobbes [Smile]
 
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
 
But that wouldn't be retroactive, so it can't be the answer to the question now.

Lucas has the right combination of power over time and space and lack of artistic integrity to pull this off.

Dagonee
 
Posted by knightswhosayni! (Member # 4096) on :
 
What's really awesome is that this quote has come to me outside of Hatrack. One of my sister's teachers was cruising forums and got caught up in this very discussion, and then told his class about it. Then my sister told me about it.

I wonder if we could play a six degrees of hatrack game.

Actually, what's really sad is that i posted this almost exact post whenever the origional thread a year ago.

Ni!

[ March 07, 2004, 01:17 AM: Message edited by: knightswhosayni! ]
 
Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :
 
Beren One Hand saith:

quote:
Thalia, you created the perfect storm.
Perhaps this was just an evil social experiment and Thalia is actually one of the Secret Cabal of Psych researchers lurking on Hatrack. Using this forum to see how effectively it can be used to infect the rest of the internet. [Wink]
 
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
Hatrack changes the world one paradoxical riddle at a time!

Mwuahahahahahaha! Ack, Cack, ugh.
 
Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
 
What scares me is that Thalia claimed her friends have been thinking about this for years.

It may already be too late to save this timeline. [Angst]
 
Posted by cochick (Member # 6167) on :
 
Well, at least it got us off the gay marriage debates for a while.

EDIT: aargh spellign mistakes - someone keeps rearragning ths keyboadr

[ March 07, 2004, 08:03 AM: Message edited by: cochick ]
 
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
 
I could see this line having been in Galaxy Quest, but I haven't seen the movie often enough to have it memorized.

I've been feeling vexed about the whole "Smeagol & Deagol being cousins" thing too. I've always been under that impression, and I really haven't read much Tolkein beyond The Hobbit, LOTR, and the Silmarillion. Am I right in thinking that there is a matriarch that is referred to as being their grandmother? If so, maybe we just read that and assumed they were cousins for some reason?
 
Posted by LadyDove (Member # 3000) on :
 
The line isn't in My Big Fat Greek Wedding or Spy Kids 3D.
 
Posted by Amka (Member # 690) on :
 
Was Real Genius ruled out? Maybe I should watch it tonight
 
Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :
 
Yeah - it was ruled out. I watched the whole movie months ago, looking specifically for the quote. (not a big deal - I like the movie)
 
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
 
It's not in "Wayne's World", "X-men", or the Springy time episodes of Roly Poly Olie, either.

Maybe that shares a bit too much about my viewing habits.
 
Posted by Chaz_King (Member # 3184) on :
 
It actually reminds me a lot of The Hudsucker Proxy....
 
Posted by Chaz_King (Member # 3184) on :
 
Also, everyone else seems to think it is from Formula 51 when Samuel L Jackson is explaining that his super drug actually uses a combonation of chemicals so while it tests as a massively potent drug, they all cancel each other out, and it doesn't do anything at all...
 
Posted by peterh (Member # 5208) on :
 
Don't feel bad PSI, Rolie Polie Olie is one of the better children's shows. I love James Joyce and am actually looking for my own personal copy of Dinosaur Bob and the Family Lazardo.

At least you weren't referencing a Wiggles episode...
 
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
 
This is a conspiracy cooked up by Netflix and Blockbuster videos to encourage dvd rentals. [Smile]
 
Posted by HRE (Member # 6263) on :
 
...maybe mankind has a subliminal collective memory.
 
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
HRE: You know there have been theories that that is how all humans are able to learn language and grammar. Some kind of joint "memory" written into our genes of a proto-language. Some even attempted to uncover this "original mother tongue" by raising infants and never using language around them. Of course, such a monstrous experiement would not be lawful today.
 
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
 
Snow Crash flash back.

010110101010010101
010101010101001010
101010101001010101
010101110101010101

[Smile]
 
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
 
I liked Snowcrash but haven't read any of his other stuff. Is it as good?

(This is the second reference I've seen to Snowcrash today, after not having seen or heard about it for years.)

Dagonee
 
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
 
Snow Crash is my first book (still reading it). If anyone has opinions on his other books, please share. [Smile]
 
Posted by Taalcon (Member # 839) on :
 
I placed this quote into the hands of my Advanced Scriptwriting class today.

Now they all hate me [Wink]
 
Posted by saxon75 (Member # 4589) on :
 
quote:
Am I right in thinking that there is a matriarch that is referred to as being their grandmother?
IIRC, when Gandalf is explaining Smeagol to Frodo, he mentions a matriarch.

quote:
If anyone has opinions on his other books, please share.
My opinion of Neal Stephenson, based on Snow Crash and Cryptonomicon is that he needs to learn how to write denouement. He is a pretty good writer, has a great ironic comic sense, and has neat ideas, but both of those books ended too soon after the climactic moment. Actually, I think Cryptonomicon ended right at the climax.
 
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
 
wtg Taalcon! Spread our suffering. [Razz]

Thanks for the review Saxon. I'm getting close to the climax, so I hope your warning will help me deal with the inevitable let down. [Wink]
 
Posted by alath (Member # 6150) on :
 
I just checked and it's not in Galaxy Quest or the first and third season of the Simpsons.

I don't know if anyone said this but maybe Back to the Future. [Dont Know]
 
Posted by Godric (Member # 4587) on :
 
My friend assures me it's a Woody Allen quote...

[Dont Know]
 
Posted by Rappin' Ronnie Reagan (Member # 5626) on :
 
from rivka in chat:
halfway down
the dvd:
from amazon
 
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
Of course, I was told it ain't there. [Dont Know]
 
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
 
[Wall Bash]
 
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
It's amazing seeing how the many discussions on this topic all trace back to Hatrack -- and all only a step or two away. [Evil Laugh]
 
Posted by HRE (Member # 6263) on :
 
Thats what I was thinking about to begin with...but i had to find a copy to confirm it.
 
Posted by Taalcon (Member # 839) on :
 
[Thomas]I won't believe it until I hear a sound clip, and/or see a video clip...[/Thomas]

[ March 09, 2004, 05:20 PM: Message edited by: Taalcon ]
 
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
*claps and jumps up and down*

Yay! That's where I found it too! But has it been confirmed by anyone here? Elsewhere someone says it isn't there. Doesn't mention if they meant the book, tv version, or radio show though.
 
Posted by ssywak (Member # 807) on :
 
I watched all of HHGTTG, and couldn't find the quote anywhere.

Sorry, but it's me: the film started to bore me, and I may have actually fallen asleep during the quote. I hope I don't have to watch it again.

Can anyone say, "philosopher's stone"?

--Steve
 
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
 
Umm... you mean it can only be found by someone who is not looking for it? *checks his HP books*. [Razz]
 
Posted by cochick (Member # 6167) on :
 
That's where I thought it was from - HHGttG - though I didn't come out and say so - so you'll probably think I'm just jumping on the bandwagon.

But all along I've been able to hear (in my head of course) Zaphod Beeblebrox saying it to Arthur Dent. Now I've only seen the TV series based on the radio play - was this the same as the film but just shown in instalments.

[ March 09, 2004, 06:41 PM: Message edited by: cochick ]
 
Posted by hansenj (Member # 4034) on :
 
[Grumble]

The problem with that is that all of my roommates and I have heard that quote somewhere before, and we have not seen Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

[Grumble]

*grumbles about not being satisfied with that answer*
 
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
 
Still think it's a combination of familiar-sounding lines, a combination that was never actually said.

I've pointed out where the "That's the beauty of it" line could have come from, and the cadence and absurdity of the statements "feels" like Hitchhikers Guide.

That's my prediction, and I'm sticking with it.
 
Posted by John L (Member # 6005) on :
 
Nope, it's not from Hitchiker's Guide. I never read it, and I know the context of the quote. I'm absolutely sure aspectre had the context of dicussing an invention. In fact, if memory serves, it was a very notably useless-looking invention. However, since I can't picture the actor saying it (not trying), I can't recall where I saw it. I doubt it was Sienfeld, but it could have been. If I get some extra time, I'll see what I can do (my memory is good, but sometimes requires work to extract details).
 
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
 
An invention...

It wasn't the 10th anniversary edition of Far Side, where Gary Larson discusses "Mr. Thingy," was it?
 
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 
Are we sure it's NOT "The Hudsucker Proxy?"
 
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
 
Not in the script for it, anyway. I've got it on tape but it's been a while...
 
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
 
Could be Larson...

I'll get my sister to check my book for me. I'm sure she'll be as relieved as I am if that's it - I infected her last weekend. [Big Grin]

If it is, I'll get her to scan the page and I'll post it somewhere.

But at this point, I can't really hope... [Angst]

[ March 10, 2004, 02:10 AM: Message edited by: Eaquae Legit ]
 
Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
 
It's not The Hudsucker Proxy.

It's NOT HHGttG--radio, miniseries, or book.

I've got all three on my computer right now, have listened to them (and ctrl-f'd the ebook) many times, including once in the last day, and it's not there.

If it exists, it surely wouldn't be too much work to capture the audio and/or video, no? Because that's the only way I'll believe it.
 
Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
 
It's not Hitchhiker's Guide, unless Chris is right and the quote was lifted from it and alternate versions were repeated by other sources. I've never read the book, and I've seen the quote somewhere.

Truth be told, it stinks of Heller. Something along the lines of Catch 22, though I'm fairly sure it's nowhere to be found in that specific book.
 
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
 
I don't think the quote was lifted and changed, I think it's just the same style/attitude/cadence so that it sounds like it ought to be from HGTTG.

And yup, at this point we'd need either a sound clip or complete and precise reference to where it was written.
 
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
 
Has anyone ruled out Star Trek: TNG? I can see this being some sort of Geordie/Data exchange.

(oh, and I've got someone looking up the Larson idea for me.)
 
Posted by St. Yogi (Member # 5974) on :
 
Hm. I'll post it on a Star Trek Forum.

If it's in there, they'll know.
 
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
I'm fairly certain it's NOT a ST:TNG quote.

But feel free to infect another board with this meme. [Evil]
 
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
 
Similar quotes that could contribute to the familiarity of this one:

Moe: What's yer watch say?
Curly: It don't say nuthin', you gotta look at it.
any number of Three Stooges movies

Charlie: What's it do?
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, said in several different ways, but never with an answer resembling our puzzle

Colin Pillock: So, which of them is it, Mr. Perrin? A social venture for the benefit of mankind? Purely a commercial venture? Or a con trick?
Reginald Perrin: Yes. It's all three of them. That's the beauty of it.
The Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin

Mrs. Peacock: What does your husband do?
Mrs. White: Nothing.
Mrs. Peacock: Nothing?
Mrs. White: Well, he just lies around on his back all day.
Miss Scarlet: Sounds like hard work to me.
Clue

Homer: What does it do?
Marge: It doesn't do anything.
Homer: No really, come on.
Marge: If it does anything, it's doing it right now.
The Simpsons

Janet: What have you done to Brad!
Frank: Nothing. Why, do you think I should?
Rocky Horror Picture Show

Spock: Weren't those a gift from Dr. McCoy?
Kirk: And they will be again. That's the beauty of it.
Star Trek IV, The Voyage Home

It invokes the kind of internally-consistent, bizarre-from-the-outside logic we're familair with these sources and from Hitchhiker's Guide, The Animaniacs, Cheers, Monty Python, and a zillion other places. But I don't think that quote, as it's listed, has been said.

[ March 11, 2004, 06:04 PM: Message edited by: Chris Bridges ]
 
Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :
 
I was thinking maybe this will come up in the movie Troy:

Trojan guard looking dubiously at giant wooden horse left behind by the Greeks: "But what does it do?"

Greek spy left behind to con the Trojans: "Do? It doesn't do anything. That's the beauty of it."

[Big Grin]

[ May 10, 2004, 04:34 PM: Message edited by: sndrake ]
 
Posted by ssywak (Member # 807) on :
 
I may have to hit sndrake.

Does anyone here know who is writing the screenplay for the new HHGTTG? I will seek them out, and demand with all my skill and aptitude that they include it in the new film!
 
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
 
I still vote for M.A.S.H. - episode 206, "Depressing News" - where Hawkeye builds a tower of tongue depressors and I think he says it to the guy who interviews him about it ...

I don't watch Simpsons, and I'm pretty sure I've heard this, so I'm pretty sure it's not Simpsons.
 
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
 
I won't believe anyone until I hear the clip, or at least get a precise to the minute indicator of where it is in the movie so I can make a clip.

Dagonee
 
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
 
does this need a bump yet?
 
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
 
*stabstabstab*
 
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
 
Let's ask the newbie. [Smile]

[ September 20, 2004, 03:55 PM: Message edited by: katharina ]
 
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
 
No stabbing Kama!!! [Mad]
 
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
 
Mike gets very upset when people muck around with his computer.
 
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
 
*chuckles*

edit- at the fact that it was bumped again, not really the ensuing conversation.

[ September 20, 2004, 03:56 PM: Message edited by: Happy Camper ]
 
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
 
You know as well as I do that I only stab with protection.
 
Posted by miles_per_hour (Member # 6451) on :
 
This needs a bump as much as the gay-marriage thread needs one.

In other words, not at all.
 
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
 
[Big Grin]
 
Posted by RRR (Member # 6601) on :
 
quote:
You know as well as I do that I only stab with protection.
Sword condoms?
 
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
 
quote:
Name......: (Anonymous)
Question..:
"What does it do?"
"It doesn't DO anything. That's the beauty of it!"
It's from The Simpsons in the episode where Homer's half brother (I think, maybe step brother) Herb Powell is explaining his invention. He is talking about the 'drinking' bird and Homer asks, "What does it do?"

Thank you for answering that question for our readers. Judith Egerton

Answer above by the voice of Danny Devito.

Can anyone verify this? And if anyone's already proved or disproved it, I'm sorry, but I don't want to go through 3 pages of thread to find out. So tough.

[ September 20, 2004, 04:13 PM: Message edited by: Happy Camper ]
 
Posted by Cashew (Member # 6023) on :
 
I still think it's from 'Big'.
 
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
 
*head explodes again*

I currently hear Val Kilmer's voice saying it in my brain. But that doesn't mean he actually said it. Maybe it's just because he plays a heck of a good nerd cause he really is one.

AJ

(and re-reading the thread, I'm guessing Gary Larson is a pretty darn good bet.)

AJ

[ September 20, 2004, 04:35 PM: Message edited by: BannaOj ]
 
Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :
 
(shamelessly dragging out old material)

I'm still banking on this theory:

quote:
Well, there's at least one other possibility. Others might be afraid to mention this as a possibility, but I have a high embarrassment threshold, a healthy degree of paranoia, and a good imagination.

We could be the victims of careless meddlers in the timestream.

I reckon something like the following could have happened.

In our original timestream, there was a very popular movie that most of us watched. The most memorable line of the movie was the one we've all been trying to track down. Maybe it won an Oscar (probably just for soundtrack, costume, or special effects, though.).

That was the original timestream. Here's where it gets dicey. I figure some irresponsible traveller from our future (maybe even our present - I don't read too many technical journals) made trip into our collective pasts and did something - something that - either by accident or design, resulted in this movie never being shown or maybe even made.

So this movie that made an impression on so many of us no longer exists. But the memory of our favorite line, like a ghost track on a poorly rerecorded casette tape, still rings in our memory.

Looks like the future is much the same as the present - there's never a Time Cop around when you need one.


 
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
 
You know, this could be the basis for the next Hatrack gathering. We can get together with a bunch of the 'contenders' and have screenings to see if we can find once and for all where this quotation comes from.
 
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
 
Oh, that's a great idea!
 
Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
 
quote:
Can anyone verify this? And if anyone's already proved or disproved it, I'm sorry, but I don't want to go through 3 pages of thread to find out. So tough.

I hadn't heard that theory before, but I just watched the episode, and it's not in there.
 
Posted by Little_Doctor (Member # 6635) on :
 
Adressing the problem of Deagol and Smeagol. In the Complete Guide to Middle Earth, It clearly states that they were cousins. Under Deagol, it states:

Stoor of the Gladden Feilds. While fishing with his cousin Smeagol, he found the One Ring and was murdered by smeagol, who coveted it.

[ September 20, 2004, 05:42 PM: Message edited by: Little_Doctor ]
 
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
 
Who wrote the complete guide?
 
Posted by Little_Doctor (Member # 6635) on :
 
Robert Foster. But, I beleive he had permission from Tolkein's family to write it. All of his information is taken from Tolkeins books and works either way.
 
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
 
If this quote existed, I believe it would have been found by now and a .wav excerpt posted. There are enough obsessive people on the Internet to pretty much guarantee this. [Big Grin]

Dagonee
 
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
 
If Tolkien didn't write it, it isn't canon. Is there some place where Tolkein said?
 
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
 
Dagonee, they don't have .wav files of The Far Side.

AJ
 
Posted by Little_Doctor (Member # 6635) on :
 
Dag:

I didn't get the quote online, it's from a book.

Kat:

Tolkein didn't write Encyclopedis of Arda either, but I've seen it quoted tons of times. not that I don't agree that it would have ben better if he had written it.

[ September 20, 2004, 06:14 PM: Message edited by: Little_Doctor ]
 
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
 
Disclosure: I've never made it all the way through The Two Towers, and didn't even start Return of the King. I am geeky about many things, but not about this.

Having said that, my opinion: If Tolkein didn't write it, it's not canon. [Smile]
 
Posted by Magson (Member # 2300) on :
 
I kinda like this "near" quote:

quote:
"Hey, .. Can I ask you a question?"
"Shoot."
"What the hell are these things for?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, what do they do?"
"What do you mean what do they do? You run 'em along the floor, like this."
"Ok. So what does it do? It's not any cleaner."
"Don't know. Maybe it looks for cracks on the floor or it does something to the metal .. makes it stronger. I don't know."
"So you don't know either?"
"No."
"Well .. I guess it's time for lunch."
"Yep."

It's from Babylon 5, season 5, episode titled "A View from the Gallery"
 
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
 
OK, .wav file, scanned image, some definitive proof. And I was speaking of the main topic of the thread, not any of the offshoots.

Dagonee
 
Posted by Little_Doctor (Member # 6635) on :
 
Ah, sorry.
 
Posted by Misha McBride (Member # 6578) on :
 
I found this....

quote:
Harold Harold is in the room tinkering with a complex Rube Goldberg machine. Bongs and various other noises emit from it. Harold Harold ("my mother had no imagination - that's a family joke") says his mother's name was Myrtle Myrtle and that may be why he stuttered. He dons an even thicker pair of glasses than the ones he had been wearing, and tells them that doesn't s-s-stutter any m-m-more. Burke asks him to turn the machine off and Harold says he takes it with him wherever he travels. He has an even larger one at home; it's his therapy and he's still perfecting it. It doesn't do anything, that's the beauty of it, it's his rebellion against efficiency.
At this website.
Clicky Clicky.

My husband said he believed Rube Goldberg said it, so I did a search and this popped up.

It appears to be an episode summary of a TV show called Burke's Law, titled "Who Killed 711". If someone could find the actual transcript of that episode we could know once and for all who said it.

[ September 20, 2004, 08:20 PM: Message edited by: Misha McBride ]
 
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
 
OK, someone needs to find a tape and post the scene on the web. They'll be an Internet legend forever!

Dagonee
 
Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
 
quote:
If someone could find the actual transcript of that episode we could know once and for all who said it.

We know who said it--the guy who wrote the synopsis of the episode. [Razz] It doesn't sound like the quote is actually in the episode. In fact, I'll bet money that it isn't.

[ September 21, 2004, 05:07 AM: Message edited by: Frisco ]
 
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
well seeing as I need the answer I will be evil.....does anyone know the answer to this question yet......thanks to ElJay now it is driving me nuts [Mad] [Frown] [Big Grin] oh yeah did I mention I'm evil? [Evil Laugh] [Evil]

[ February 07, 2005, 08:38 AM: Message edited by: SteveRogers ]
 
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
 
Kiddo, you don't need the answer, you need the significance of the phrase to Hatrack. And I'd say you've found it.
 
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
oh well.....i suppose that makes sense....thanks.....but i still want to know the answer because this is driving me absolutely insane [Mad]
 
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
 
there is no spoon...........
 
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
*feels absolutely no guilt*

[Evil Laugh]
 
Posted by Lady Jane (Member # 7249) on :
 
*grin* That unsettling insanity, especially among this group where everyone is faintly OCD, is EXACTLY its signifigance to Hatrack. *pats quote fondly*
 
Posted by newfoundlogic (Member # 3907) on :
 
This Simpsons had something close, but it doesn't appear to be the source
quote:
[Looking at a giant stone head Mr. Burns has had delivered to the Simpson house]
Homer: What does it do?
Marge: It doesn't do anything.
Homer: No really, come on.
Marge: If it does anything, it's doing it right now.


 
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
arrgggghhhh [Mad] !!!!!!!!!!! rivka and ElJay why did you have to introduce me to this insanity causing question......of course I was insane, borderline OCD, and ADD before I got here anyway but that doesn't have anything to do with it... [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
 
I've mentioned this to friends before. They also swear they have heard it, but either can't think of where, or name a book/movie/show we've already ruled out.
 
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
 
Well geeze, Dana, you handed him that one on a silver platter. [Razz]
 
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
 
Oh, and:

quote:
rivka and ElJay why did you have to introduce me to this insanity causing question......
Because you want to be a jatraquero, of course. It goes with the territory.
 
Posted by HippyGirl (Member # 7354) on :
 
probably a hippy somewhere muttered it and brought it to the world [Big Grin]
 
Posted by urbanX (Member # 1450) on :
 
This is quite possibly the most evil question ever. I woke up in the middle of the night to read (ok skim) the entire hitchhikers series.
 
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
It. Does. Not. Exist.

Just Accept It!

[Monkeys] [Wall Bash]
 
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
I'm with Teshi on this.

And I have rarely been quite this proud of doing anything this cruel. [Evil]
 
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
 
[Evil] [Evil Laugh]
 
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
Why? Why? Why did you have to expose me to this poisonous quote? [Cry] [Cry] [Cry] [Cry] [Cry] [Cry] [Cry] [Cry]
 
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
 
You asked for it, man! [Evil] [Taunt]
 
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
I didn't ask for anything... [Cry] [Grumble] [Frown] [Evil Laugh] [Wall Bash]
 
Posted by Mr.Funny (Member # 4467) on :
 
Hrm. I should go into the movie-making business and make a movie (movie-making, make a movie! What a novel concept!) with that quote it in. I'll be famous forever! [Evil Laugh]
 
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
 
Actually, I've been thinking about this. Cause, what if we finally do discover it in a movie, and the movie turns out younger than the original debate? Can we trace back the origins of the question? Just so we know if the movie is based on our meme or vice versa?

[ February 08, 2005, 10:12 AM: Message edited by: Kama ]
 
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
Steve, Steve, Steve . . . you did ask for it. You said you'd walk through lava!

Now you know the true secret of being a jatraquero. That quote, and the frustration it brings with it. [Evil]
 
Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
 
I expect Joss Whedon to insert this quote into Serenity. In Chinese.
 
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
 
it wasn't in The Princess Bride, I know I remember someone saying it was, but nope not there, watched it this weekend.
 
Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
 
I know I know I know!!!!!

I just watched the movie last week. I know what movie. I know what year it came out! I know what part!

It is SOOOOOOO obvious!!! Do I get a prize if I email someone the answer?\

EDIT:

Or is it a movie? [Evil Laugh] [Evil Laugh] [Evil Laugh] [Evil Laugh] [Evil Laugh] [Evil Laugh] [Evil Laugh] [Evil Laugh]

[ February 08, 2005, 12:23 PM: Message edited by: lem ]
 
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
 
I saw a movie last week that had a similiar line (similiar enough to make me think of this thread) but it wasn't exactly this quote.

FG
 
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
 
lem: There is no prize, but unless you post the movie (TV show, book, whatever) and scene, nobody's going to believe you, either. Way too many people have been way too sure they knew where it was for anyone to be believed without independant verification.
 
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
 
The prize is not being bludgeoned to death because of withholding the information.

Edit to clarify

[ February 08, 2005, 12:49 PM: Message edited by: Carrie ]
 
Posted by ssywak (Member # 807) on :
 
I'm still here, guys; and I'm still looking.

So far, no luck.

Has anyone revisited "Flight of the Navigator" recently? I'm going to try that this week-end.

What about the comic strip "BC" or "Wizard of Id"? Something at the back of my head...

BTW, I have a cat named LAVA. Does it count if I walk over her?

--Steve

[ February 08, 2005, 01:03 PM: Message edited by: ssywak ]
 
Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
 
I thought there was unspoken rule to not post the answer. Will I be breaking an unspoken rule by spoiling the tension? Or should I just email it to HRE so s/he can verify I am right?
 
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
 
There is no unspoken rule. The answer is not posted because no one knows what it is. Everything that's been suggested so far has been proven incorrect.
 
Posted by Lady Jane (Member # 7249) on :
 
Oh no, post the answer. Then we'll tear it apart, and if you're right, we'll cover you with glory.
 
Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
 
quote:
Way too many people have been way too sure they knew where it was
*gets a sickening sensation in my stomach*

I am going home tonight to re-verify it for myself. If I am indeed wrong, I will have been pulled into this poisoness muck of trivia.

Oh please God, don't make me wrong and have to obsess about this quote. I just know I am right...I think.

Arrgggh...must get home to check! 4 more hours....
 
Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
 
quote:
The answer is not posted because no one knows what it is.
Does HRE know it?
 
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
 
Muh-ha-ha-hahahahaha!

But if you're right, it'll be really neat.
 
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
 
I don't think so... I think he admitted defeat somewhere in the second page. He certainly never posted any proof.
 
Posted by ssywak (Member # 807) on :
 
No one knows.

Not here,

Not on IMDB:
http://us.imdb.com/board/bd0000001/thread/1180562

Not on the blog-site that someone put together:
http://kcor1953beauty.tripod.com/blog/

No one.
 
Posted by Lady Jane (Member # 7249) on :
 
Someone started a blog site for a meme we started? That's wonderful!
 
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
 
Well, I'm not positive that ours came first....

EDIT: (although ssywak, here, posted it on IDMB, it appears, which began the question there)

FG

[ February 08, 2005, 01:49 PM: Message edited by: Farmgirl ]
 
Posted by Lady Jane (Member # 7249) on :
 
It was pretty close - it started on PWeb, I think.
 
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
 
But that blog page is really hard to read -- at least in my browser window...
 
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
 
Has anyone read Sherlock Holmes recently? It suddenly struck me that "my dear Waston" would go quite well on the end of that quote.

AJ
 
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
 
I've just gone through a Homes reading spree, and though I can't say that I read every single story, I read most and it wasn't there. [Dont Know]

AJ, I have a question for you! *goes off to e-mail*

Hobbes [Smile]
 
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
 
quote:
I've just gone through a Homes reading spree, and though I can't say that I read every single story, I read most and it wasn't there.
I just had a horrible vision of Watson saying, "Yo, Homes, who did it?"
 
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
 
Sometimes I choose not to spell correctly for the amusment of those around me.

Yah, let's go with that.

Hobbes [Smile]
 
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
 
I only point these out when they're funny. Not picking on you, Hobbes. [Smile]

[ February 08, 2005, 02:05 PM: Message edited by: Dagonee ]
 
Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
 
Now I feel really sick.

As I was sitting here knowing for sure where the quote came from and being anxious to get home to verify it, I started to hear Lister say it from Red Dwarf.

Grrr...now I have the one movie to verify and the first 4 seasons of Red Dwarf.

THANKS FOR NOTHING HRE!!!! [Wall Bash]

*but I still think my first reaction is correct--Must get home!!*

On a side note, my wife turned on the TV last night and it sparked a spectacular spark and knocked her down. She is all right, albeit a little shook up, but the TV did not make it. This thread reminded me that I need to pick up a TV on my way home from work.
 
Posted by urbanX (Member # 1450) on :
 
I've done an extensive web search and I've concluded that the above quote did indeed start here. Here's the link http://www.hatrack.com/ubb/forum/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=014464#000009

Notice the date. April 3rd. 7 days before ssywak posted it on IMDb...and look ssywak actually posted on our boards first!!! Philotic web didn't pick on it til July. Here's the link. http://www.philoticweb.net/openbb/read.php?TID=2743
 
Posted by Lefty the One-armed Man (Member # 6161) on :
 
This one's from the blog. It's unsubstantiated, though.

Sherlock Holmes And The Computer AUG 05 03
by Thomas H. Hunter, http://www.icubed.com/~thunter/stories/computer.htm
"But what does it do, Holmes?" "Anything, Watson! That's the beauty of it--a machine that is not restricted to a single task, but can do anything you ask of it." "But what is it doing now?" "Er, nothing really." muttered Holmes as he tried to block my view of the clattering typewriter. (Pretty good, but needs date)
 
Posted by ssywak (Member # 807) on :
 
Yeah, I think Thalia started it.

I was the first carrier, though, to actually go and expose people outside of our tight-knit little community.

Unless, of course, Thalia will admit to picking up the idea from my IMDB post...
 
Posted by urbanX (Member # 1450) on :
 
I think it's interesting how one little post can spread around the internet. It's like a virus and
ssywak is our Typoid Mary.
 
Posted by Morbo (Member # 5309) on :
 
So Thalia was Patient Zero?
 
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
I don't think so. Didn't she say that she and some friends had been trying to figure it out but couldn't?

The moral of the story: all your friends should be Hatrackers.
 
Posted by newfoundlogic (Member # 3907) on :
 
Maybe the quote is from a commercial which is why we can't find it.
 
Posted by jehovoid (Member # 2014) on :
 
I can really hear Shake from Aqua Teen saying this, but I can't find a quote anywhere. I think that this is just one of those common things that you hear in real life in some form or other that for some reason we can't seem to find as a pop culture reference. It seems like this is something that's been with me for awhile, like since grade school (10-12 years ago (so maybe not that long by some standards)).

Eh, whatever.
 
Posted by urbanX (Member # 1450) on :
 
That is true Rivka. However Thalia's post is the first case of the quote online. Thus it went from a local virus to a global epidemic.
 
Posted by newfoundlogic (Member # 3907) on :
 
While I can imagine Shake saying that as well, the discussion is definitely older than ATHF.
 
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
 
Charlie and The chocolate Factory? Willy Wonka would have said it, I'm not positive, and plan to rent the movie today, but it seems incredibly possible (and a few of my friends agreed). Sorry to bring this thing up again, and especcially if this one has already been mentioned.
 
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
 
It's certainly plausible, breyerchic.

So, lem... what happened to the movie you were so sure of? Didja go home and watch it?
 
Posted by J T Stryker (Member # 6300) on :
 
Breyerchic asked me and i told her.... It is from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.... I guess i should stop ignoring hatrack for long periods of time... i was unable to participate in 90% of the conversations at Breyerchic's house last night...
 
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
 
JT, it isn't.

For the 12,000 time, it really isn't WWatCF.

Feel free to PROVE me wrong, if you can. The operative word being PROVE.

As in PROOF.... [Big Grin]

Kwea
 
Posted by ssywak (Member # 807) on :
 
Just checked out "Flight of the Navigator."

Nope.

Fun movie, though. Silly. Quite silly. You could tell that it desperately wanted to be an IMAX film, though!
 
Posted by ssywak (Member # 807) on :
 
BTW, the rule is this:

You have to have read the book, or the comic, or seen the movie, or the TV show, or the commercial RECENTLY. Almost (but not quite) solely for the purpose of responding to this search.

Saying, "I seem to recall this line from 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' when I saw it three months ago" DOES NOT COUNT.

Saying, "A friend of mine says she saw it on the Simpsons episode last week," similarly DOES NOT COUNT.

You need direct, recent experience.

You also have to be able to quote chapter and verse, or scene, or whatever. Links, if possible, are required.

Otherwise, you're just a poser. A wannabee. A charlatan. A faker. A fakir. A snausage.

Please continue.
 
Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
 
quote:
It's certainly plausible, breyerchic.

So, lem... what happened to the movie you were so sure of? Didja go home and watch it?

Nope, I am in middle of moving, and it was one of the first things my wife packed. We packed days early, unlike me, she is good at preperation.

Tuesday we move into our new house. I will celebrate by watching the where I think it is from. However, after reading this entire post and some posts on other boards, I am loosing a lot of confidence. But I will check back with you all after I see it.
 
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
 
I planned on renting the movie today to check it, I just wanted to post it before it was out of my mind. But I won't be suprised if that isn't it.
 
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
See I am evil..........now you are all losing your minds.........next your brains will ooze out of your ears..........so far everything is going according to plan
 
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
It is definitely NOT Charlie.

Those who think it is, go ahead! Tell us who is speaking and what they are describing.
 
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
 
I know that Hatrack was probably the source because I did a google search for the term back when the question was first posted. I don't think I came up with anything.

Also, someday I'm going to figure out a way to get a screenwriter or author to slip it into a book or movie. Then when one of you sees it, you'll get excited that you finally figured it out before realizing that the book or movie came after the Hatrack thread. [Evil Laugh]
 
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
 
Tuesday, lem? Why don't you just tell us where you think it is... someone will have a copy and be able to check. [Smile] You'll still get credit.
 
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
 
I wouldn't be suprised if it shows up in the NEW Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, though..

Imagine Johnny Depp saying it... [Big Grin]

[ February 15, 2005, 08:28 AM: Message edited by: Kwea ]
 
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
Except they're trying to stay very very true to the book, and it is NOT in there . . . I think.
 
Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :
 
quote:
I wouldn;t be suprised if ti shows up in the NEW Charlie adn teh Chocolate Factory, though..
Rough night last night, huh Kwea.
 
Posted by Wendybird (Member # 84) on :
 
I repeated the line at a family gathering recently and my bros (none of which are hatrackers) all swear they've heard it before too. Of course no one could pinpoint where...... It must be something we come to earth programmed with. [Big Grin] [Razz]
 
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
 
Ralphie, I was intoxicated with your presence, as usual. [Evil]

As far as the new CatCF, not all the dialog can come from the book, you know.

[ February 15, 2005, 08:29 AM: Message edited by: Kwea ]
 
Posted by John Van Pelt (Member # 5767) on :
 
I just skimmed this thread, and one thing struck me. Every time someone is almost sure they are about to have proof, the tape or book or DVD just happens to be lost in the mail, or borrowed by a friend, or on reserve at the library, or misplaced in a moving box......

It is a sentient meme, whose sole purpose is to stay hidden. (What does it do? Nothing! Not even appear to view!)

My other theory is that it's from a children's classic. That would explain its universality, and the fact that people can hear it in voices from Kramer to Bart to Kirk -- it came from a print source.
 
Posted by narrativium (Member # 3230) on :
 
Let it die, people. Just let it die.
 
Posted by ssywak (Member # 807) on :
 
I found it!

I FOUND IT!

It's
 
Posted by The Federal Government (Member # 6807) on :
 
We are sorry to inform you that the information you seek is protected under a "Need to Know" order, and is considered classified.

Please, return to your miserable lives.
 
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
 
[ROFL]
 
Posted by Amka (Member # 690) on :
 
You know... maybe it is on an old cartoon, and we watched it many, many times in our childhood. That is why we remember it so well, and why we can't definitavely find the source.
 
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
 
You know -- I think it is the Oversoul. Everytime we think we have the answer - every time we are close to having the answer -- the Oversoul makes our mind lose focus and we forget.....

[Big Grin]
 
Posted by Amka (Member # 690) on :
 
Maybe it is the one universal truth at the center of it all.
 
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
[Confused]

FG, did you say something? [Dont Know]
 
Posted by DeadWolfBones (Member # 7426) on :
 
Another false lead, but I think this might have been what someone was talking about a few pages back (re: a particularly useless-looking invention). From Space Ghost Coast to Coast, episode "Flipmode":

quote:
Space Ghost: I know! My God, how many times do I have to tell you that? Hey, wood! (beat) We should build something.

(Black screen with caption: "SEVEN HOURS LATER". Cut to set. Two boards are nailed together in an upside-down v shape. An extension cord is taped to one board.)

Moltar: Wow. What's it do?

Space Ghost: It's symbolic, Moltar. Things don't always have to do things. Now, help me plug it into the wall.

<Edit: Fixed UBB code -- PJ>

[ May 05, 2005, 04:00 PM: Message edited by: Papa Janitor ]
 
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
 
Yeah, much too recent. But a great show nonetheless.
 
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
 
The source.
 
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
 
Well, it's good to finally have an answer to that.
 
Posted by Portabello (Member # 7710) on :
 
Finally. [Smile]
 
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
...speechless...
 
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
 
I wonder if I could photoshop some of the other possibilities into the background. It would make for an awfully fantastic drawing if someone could draw well enough to do it that way.
 
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
 
Click click click on the link, click on the link, click on the link!
 
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
*sigh*

Very good.

*pat pat*
 
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
 
[Razz]
 
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
[Wink]
 
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
NO!!! You've brought it into my head again. Stop cursing me! *bursts into tears* NOOOO! [Cry]

Edit: This is really going to bug me, AGAIN!

[ May 05, 2005, 04:54 PM: Message edited by: SteveRogers ]
 
Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
 
NOOOOOOO!

*kicks Nathan for bumping the thread*

[Mad]
 
Posted by Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged (Member # 7476) on :
 
Noooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!! Why? It was buried forever. Curse you...
 
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
 
I TOLD him it'd earn him an ass kicking.
 
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
 
Yes, but now we have an ACTUAL source!!! Visable proof that it WAS Wonka talking to Data at Ten Forward about a lava lamp!
 
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
Keep it up, and that can be your epitaph. [Razz]
 
Posted by Alcon (Member # 6645) on :
 
Mash?

Back to the Future?

It could be from ANYTHING, I mean seriously, I can see any number of characters saying that.
 
Posted by Talison (Member # 7935) on :
 
I also could have sworn I had heard this quote before upon first reading the title but when I checked the first source I thought of (Megatokyo, a web comic) it was a similar line but no cigar.
However, it drove me mad enough to read through all six pages of replies [Razz]

I did my carrier duty and asked a few friends on another chat board and, like many here, they said "Willie Wonka?" but couldn't say for sure who, when, or where.

However, I will now have to put up with discussions of memes whenever I sign in there for days now *sigh*

Makes me want to put on Heather Nova: "I don't want your virus of the mind!"
 
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
quote:
"Willie Wonka?"
WAIT! Did anybody check the book? Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! DID ANYBODY CHECK THE BOOK? Tell me someone checked the book.
 
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
 
I now have my coworkers on a wild goose chase. I warned them, though, not to think about it for more than 5 minutes, but now they are scourging the internet looking for it.

Oh, and now you get to remember just how frustrating this is. You're welcome.
 
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
Just don't look at the window. Because you'll see me. But not just me. It'll be me holding a loaded sniper rifle and waving at you as I smile. Always smile.
 
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
 
So*, anyone ever figure this one out?
 
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
What? You didn't get the memo?
 
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
 
Is this your sick idea of a joke, Pops?
 
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
 
*head explodes*
 
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
Whistle the post! Whistle the post!
 
Posted by JennaDean (Member # 8816) on :
 
I keep wondering if anyone ever checked Better Off Dead. Someone suggested it way back when ... but I didn't want to read 6 pages to find out if anyone ever did.

That would be too easy, though, wouldn't it?
 
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
 
I still think it's in the Princess Bride somewhere.

[Evil Laugh]
 
Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
 
It's neither "Better Off Dead" nor "The Princess Bride". I'm pretty positive.
 
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
 
I still think it's in an episode of M.A.S.H. called "Depressing News." I saw that episode just a few days before seeing this thread. I haven't seen it since. But, as I recall, Hawkeye built something out of tongue depressors (they got a huge shipment of tongue depressors, not the most necessary item for their needs) and someone from Stars and Stripes came to interview him about it.

Anybody have season 9 of M.A.S.H. on DVD?
 
Posted by TrapperKeeper (Member # 7680) on :
 
Someone just tell us, or at least me. Don't care to search for it
 
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
Read my pixels:

It isn't ANYWHERE. It is a collective hallucination. Attempting to find a source will simply drive you (and everyone around you) crazy.



And Pops, this was almost as evil as the repeated "rescearch" threads. (Although I really shouldn't give you any idea. [Wink] ) *shakes fist*
 
Posted by narrativium (Member # 3230) on :
 
Dear Pop:

You are evil and must be destroyed.

I will DESTROY YOU.
 
Posted by Jeesh (Member # 9163) on :
 
Describes my brother perfectly.
 
Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :
 
If they find a way to include that line in Snakes on a Plane, I may be forced to break something.

--j_k
 
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
 
Pop—

Game. Very. Over.

—Mack

(speaking of Snakes on a Plane, my reaction to this thread resurrection contained much the same language that Samuel L. Jackson is known for)
 
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
 
and here I was going to ask pop to ban whoever bumped this thread WHEN HE WAS THE ONE WHO DID IT!!!!!!
 
Posted by MyrddinFyre (Member # 2576) on :
 
Haha me too! *very amused*
 
Posted by Papa Janitor (Member # 7795) on :
 
I could sticky it, if you all prefer....
 
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Papa Janitor:
I could sticky it, if you all prefer....

LOL
[Evil]


I dare you! [Wink]


If we get sL and BC to post in it at the same time I am pretty sure it will get locked. [Evil] [Evil Laugh] [Evil]
 
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
 
I agree with Rivka. It's collective hallucination. Brought about by an evil pop culture meme. A thousand years from now our descendents will worship it as the creator.
 
Posted by Dr Strangelove (Member # 8331) on :
 
Ah, the memories of reading this thread and thinking "Oh, I know where that's from!" only to realize many hours and many heads asplosions later that no, in fact, I do not know where it is from. Now, I know better.

It's from hell.
 
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
 
[ROFL]
 
Posted by Friday (Member # 8998) on :
 
FNORD
 
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
 
Oh, please, please, please let it be in Snakes on a Plane.
 
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
 
y'all suuuurrrrreeeee it's not in one of the many Dr. Who shows?

*grins*
 
Posted by AvidReader (Member # 6007) on :
 
My buddy Dan swears it's an ad lib from the Kramer's Invention episode of Seinfeld. It's not in the script but is in the show.

Anyone got the DVDs? I'd love to test the claim.
 
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
 
Bet you $10 it isn't. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Krease (Member # 9536) on :
 
Spongebob.
 
Posted by AvidReader (Member # 6007) on :
 
No thanks, Kwea. I remember someone linking to the script and proving it wasn't there. I'm sure someone thought to watch the show.

He's just so insistant, though. I want to believe him.
 
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
 
Has anyone seen the movie "Van Helsing"? I remember a very similar line between Van Helsing and the inventor guy describing an invention of his that eventually turned out to have the power of the sun or something.
 
Posted by Jayelle (Member # 9745) on :
 
I still say it's from a blockbuster movie that was deleted from our collective memory.
 
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
Darn it Gaal! Why? WHY? I'd almost forgotten!
 
Posted by Stan the man (Member # 6249) on :
 
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Posted by seven (Member # 5367) on :
 
Has anybody checked Spaceballs?
 
Posted by signal (Member # 6828) on :
 
I know I shouldn't aid in the continuation of this thread, but I'll second CaySedai's vote for MASH. I saw that episode too and he was building a tower out of tongue depressors and writing all the patients' names on them. The reporter guy wanted to protray it as some representation of blah blah blah and Hawkeye said he did it for no reason, so instead of letting the reporter push his propaganda, he blew it to smithereens.

I checked imdb's quote page for MASH "Depressing News", Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Spaceballs came up with nothing. You would think a quote this important would be listed. [Roll Eyes]
 
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
 
I'm pretty sure Van Helsing came out after this thread was started.

I have such a violent internal reaction every time i see this thread bumped.
 
Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :
 
when this thread first started, i was *sure* i knew where the quote was from, and that eventually i'd remember.

Now i'm so sure the quote comes from nothing that i actually have trouble imagining what i thought it sounded like in the first place.
 
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
 
What the frak is this thread doing on the front page?!?!?

Make it stop!
 
Posted by Corwin (Member # 5705) on :
 
Stop. In the name of... uh... Carrie?! [Big Grin]
 
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
[Mad]

I will hurt the next person who bumps this thread.



. . . oh, wait. >_<
 
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
"That's the beauty of it," was a line in the movie 'Amazing Grace'.
 
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
 
[Wink]
 
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
 
I don't know if the line was ever actually spoken in the show, but in Hiatus, if you look carefully at the external shots of the Venture, you'll see the "that's the beauty of it" quote painted just below Arcus' porthole.

[ September 21, 2006, 11:31 AM: Message edited by: Noemon ]
 
Posted by Corwin (Member # 5705) on :
 
Now that's just mean. [Evil Laugh]
 
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
 
[Hat]
 
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
 
Noemon, that quote WAS in the pilot that the network decided not to air. The graphic artists put that on the ship for future episodes as a sort of silent protest.
 
Posted by Will B (Member # 7931) on :
 
This doesn't seem to have the quote, but it may be the srouce of the concept.

http://www.pixelscapes.com/spatulacity/button.htm
 
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
 
<Bumps thread.>

<Hijinks ensue.>
 
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
*hides from rivka*
 
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
Hi, Jinks! [Wave]
 
Posted by TheGrimace (Member # 9178) on :
 
dont forget sue...
 
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
 
*steals thread to use in current cross stitch project*
 
Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :
 
That's going to be the name of a sitcom one of these days, mark my words:

Hijinks and Sue. Starring Robin Williams as Hijinks, and Pam Dawber as Sue.
 
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
And one of their tag lines will be, "It doesn't do anything! That's the beauty of it!"
 
Posted by BandoCommando (Member # 7746) on :
 
Oh... my... God...

I somehow missed ever seeing or reading this post for the last two years (unless I was somehow forced to forget about it) and started reading it this evening. Yes. I read all six pages.

No, I didn't skip to the end. Who does that?! It'd be like reading the last page of a book to find out if the main character dies or not!

I get to the last page hoping that SOMEONE, ANYONE found the answer, but NO!

Now, I too will be tormented by wondering where in tarnation this thing came from!

Papa, there is a special place reserved for you in the afterlife.
 
Posted by Euripides (Member # 9315) on :
 
Is that the place where people who talk in the cinema go? [Wink]
 
Posted by Dr Strangelove (Member # 8331) on :
 
Pops, you're just evil. Everyone else was content to allow this thread to rest in peace (for the time) but you, of all people, bump it. Why? Why?


[Razz]
 
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
 
*laughs slightly hysterically and pours a glass of wine*

After the last few weeks of work-from-hell, and THIS re-surfaces.

For shame, Papa!

*tk tsk*

*grin*
 
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
 
[Smile]
 
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
 
It definately is a "Idda, tt boi" kinda day, isn't it?

Hehe.. Idda tt boi. Say that 3 times fast.
 
Posted by Launchywiggin (Member # 9116) on :
 
I think our brains are programmed to "remember" that phrase even if you've never heard it before. It's a conspiracy.
 
Posted by stihl1 (Member # 1562) on :
 
Sounds like something Cyrano Jones said in the episode of Star Trek where he was selling the tribbles on space station K9. Uhura asks what does the tribbles do and he says they don't do anything, that's the beauty of it.

Or for some reason Wizard of Oz keeps popping up in my head.

Either that or I'm just making it up.
 
Posted by happysmiley (Member # 9703) on :
 
Those of you that are complaining about this thread getting bumped should realize that each whiny post you make is also, yes, bumping this thread. Which is kind of funny and ironic. [Laugh]
 
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
 
Those of you commenting on the absurdly obvious need a bump on the top o' yur noggin.

*wicked grin*
 
Posted by Nato (Member # 1448) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Launchywiggin:
I think our brains are programmed to "remember" that phrase even if you've never heard it before. It's a conspiracy.

that's the beauty of it
 
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
 
Is the original thread still around? *hopeful

I think sndrake did solve this on the first page of this thread, though. However, he claims to have written it originally in another thread, which doesn't exist. *ahem* Anymore.

Right.

*fisheye
 
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
 
I do recall there being another thread, something along the lines of "ARRG! Does anyone know where this is from?" Don't completely remember, though. I think it was back in July 2003 sometime.
 
Posted by Boothby171 (Member # 807) on :
 
Oh, good god....
 
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
[Cry]
 
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
 
CT! That's unbelievably mean and cruel!

*laughs*
 
Posted by Corwin (Member # 5705) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Boothby171:
Oh, good god....

Who says he's good? Maybe he's neutral now. You know, like he decided not to do anything anymore. And that's the beauty of it.

:sniff: I missed this thread.
 
Posted by The Reader (Member # 3636) on :
 
This thread is really a substitute for "Atheism vs. Belief" debates

There are people who say "I experienced The Phrase/God. I can't explain how it happened, but it changed my life and set me on an eternal quest to find the proof. I know that one day I will again find The Phrase/God."

There are People who say "The Phrase/God does not exist. So far, no proof has been found, and a reliance on faith alone makes things more complicated than necessary. I have accepted the fact that The Phrase/God does not exist. I have found meaning in life in other ways."

Just thought I would bring this in to perspective.
 
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
 
I recognize that the phrase may exist, but in a form different than what others say it exists as, and have my own special relationship with said phrase. Should proof be brought to my attention that the phrase exists as what others say it does, I shall accept that as the true phrase.
 
Posted by The Reader (Member # 3636) on :
 
I think this phrase is imprinted on our collective memory because it is the last thing we heard before The Extrauniversal Overseers reset time.

Overseer Leader: Please, everyone focus your attention this device.
Us: What are we supposed to do?
OL: All you need to do is look. It is that simple.
Us: What does it do?
OL: It doesn't do anything. That's the beauty of it!

There was an enourmous flash, and Creation was reset to the Big Bang.

We are getting closer to The End Event because we are reliving our collective memory. This time, we cannot allow the Overseers to win. We have the right to exist!
 
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
 
*giggles*
 
Posted by The Reader (Member # 3636) on :
 
quidscribis, do you want to join the revolt, or not? If not, then you will be missing out on the free girl scout cookies and t-shirts that say "It doesn't do anything. That's the beauty of it."
 
Posted by Al (Member # 1669) on :
 
Are there really t-shirts?
 
Posted by The Reader (Member # 3636) on :
 
There might be, if someone can get them made by CafePress.
 
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
 
Can I really get free girl scout cookies? Yay! I'm so in!
 
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Shigosei:
I know that Hatrack was probably the source because I did a google search for the term back when the question was first posted. I don't think I came up with anything.

Also, someday I'm going to figure out a way to get a screenwriter or author to slip it into a book or movie. Then when one of you sees it, you'll get excited that you finally figured it out before realizing that the book or movie came after the Hatrack thread. [Evil Laugh]

Well, we aren't the only people who like this crazy quote.......

Steven Brust just included it in his new Vlad Taltos book.

[Big Grin]


He starts each chapter with fake quotes from an imaginary play that is being performed in his character's world, and they said this. I did a HUGE double take, and then began laughing in the middle of the bookstore.
 
Posted by swampfrog (Member # 11690) on :
 
http://s98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/hosmackah/beauty/
 
Posted by Juxtapose (Member # 8837) on :
 
I'm pretty sure it was decided that the quote was insufficiently close, and that the source was too obscure to account for the feeling of familiarity associated with it.

Good try though. Welcome to Hatrack. [Smile]
 
Posted by T:man (Member # 11614) on :
 
Welcome, is that Frog the Q who is posting. Are you in India?
if so you caught me [Wave]
 
Posted by swampfrog (Member # 11690) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Juxtapose:
I'm pretty sure it was decided that the quote was insufficiently close, and that the source was too obscure to account for the feeling of familiarity associated with it.

Good try though. Welcome to Hatrack. [Smile]

I was thinking that clip may have been excerpted into something more familiar, like The Wonder Years. I've never seen the series, but that clip seemed familiar...
 
Posted by swampfrog (Member # 11690) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by T:man:
Welcome, is that Frog the Q who is posting. Are you in India?
if so you caught me [Wave]

Nope, long time lurker...
 
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Juxtapose:
I'm pretty sure it was decided that the quote was insufficiently close, and that the source was too obscure to account for the feeling of familiarity associated with it.

Good try though. Welcome to Hatrack. [Smile]

Both....although I am pretty sure that is where I remember it from, although I can't be sure.
 
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
 
I can't remember. Have we considered Abott and Costello, and/or The Three Stooges as possible originators?
 
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
 
Oh, yes.
 
Posted by Juxtapose (Member # 8837) on :
 
I'd definitely never seen that before until it was linked on Hatrack. My "memory" of the quote - in terms of enunciation and stress - is also very precise .
 
Posted by Nick (Member # 4311) on :
 
Why in the world won't this quote die!?!?

[Wall Bash]
 
Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Kwea:
quote:
Originally posted by Juxtapose:
I'm pretty sure it was decided that the quote was insufficiently close, and that the source was too obscure to account for the feeling of familiarity associated with it.

Good try though. Welcome to Hatrack. [Smile]

Both....although I am pretty sure that is where I remember it from, although I can't be sure.
I think it's sufficiently close to account for people with a true memory who might have seen it despite its obscurity - I mean, it's pretty darn close.

And the explanation that this quote just sounds a lot like other quotes, and thereby evokes a certain amount of memory feeling, makes up for the obscurity.

In other words, I think it wins. Not that my opinion matters. I haven't even read the thread other than half of the first page and half of the last page. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Nick:
Why in the world won't this quote die!?!?

[Wall Bash]

Because that's the beauty of it?
 
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
 
I still think it was in a commercial. We've all seen it, but who remembers commercials?
 
Posted by ReikoDemosthenes (Member # 6218) on :
 
I'm beginning to suspect that there is just some property to it that it sounds familiar without having ever really existed beforehand.

Perhaps here is evidence of the collective consciousness. And what does it focus on but the fact that something is so very cool because it doesn't DO anything!
 
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
 
The lines were from an episode of "Hiatus." Glad I could clear this pesky problem up for you.
 
Posted by JennaDean (Member # 8816) on :
 
<smacks forehead>

I knew I had heard it!
 
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
 
To reiterate for all you johnny-come-latelies on this, I've done extensive research into the meme.

It was part of a psychological experiment in the 1970's, in which test subjects were told that this line was a part of popular culture, and asked to supply the source.

Up to this point in popular culture, it had no extant source, and none has since been recovered that predates the experiment. The immediacy and humor of the line, as well as its absurdity, appeals to the reader and makes it feel authentic. It isn't from the Simpson's, and it isn't from family guy, or Seinfeld, or any other source to which it has been attributed.
 
Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :
 
That link on the last page is eerily close, but i'm positive beyond all doubt that i've never seen that movie, or the clip of the movie, before in my life. also, after the original "do?" i was anticipating another line, so i've still got that pesky quote ingrained in here somewhere and it isn't the dialogue in that scene.

*le sigh*
 
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
 
Does. Not. Exist.
 
Posted by Wendybird (Member # 84) on :
 
The problem is it does exist - right here - and its an ingrained part of anyone who read this thread at one time - someone needs to get a movie made that contains this line and put us out of our misery [Big Grin]
 
Posted by C3PO the Dragon Slayer (Member # 10416) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Dobbie in http://www.hatrack.com/cgi-bin/ubbmain/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=051545;p=1&r=nfx#000000:
quote:
Originally posted by C3PO the Dragon Slayer:
Tatiana: By "them" do you mean the VeggieTales films, and "that" you mean the credits?

If that's what you mean, the answer's no. In my first post I tried to make it clear only by the end that I was impressed by the movie, but not with the credits. And of course it's really the movie that matters.

Don't you rememeber "It doesn't do anything. That's the beauty of it?" from this movie.
The link is dead, but the URL hints at "Casablanca."
 
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
 
yes, and the poster's name hints at a joke [Wink]
 
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
 
[Smile]
 
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
 
Today's Blondie has the line in it!
 
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
 
they must read hatrack.
 
Posted by BandoCommando (Member # 7746) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Shigosei:
Today's Blondie has the line in it!

Dang it! Shigosei beat me to it!
 
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
I saw that too, and laughed and laughed.
 
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
 
That is awesome!
 
Posted by AvidReader (Member # 6007) on :
 
I wanted so badly to tell someone about it, but none of my friends post here. I was going crazy trying not to annoy my coworkers with the story.
 
Posted by C3PO the Dragon Slayer (Member # 10416) on :
 
I was filled with dread when I read today's Blondie...
 
Posted by The Reader (Member # 3636) on :
 
Blondie?! That's the least likely place I expected the quote to appear.

It's beginning...
 


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