Ask HN: Do you think Silicon Valley (HBO) is funny or offensive?

11 points by pingburg 12 years ago | 13 comments

I just finished the third episode of Silicon Valley (HBO) and found it really funny, but wondered if those that "live it" also find it humorous or do they take offense?

hashtag 12 years ago |

I don't take offense (nothing to be personal about, why should it) but I find the show pretty boring and awkwardly stupid if I was honest. I think it's extremely exaggerated but not in any way I personally find is good. It's not funny, acting seems awful, and it's nothing like Silicon Valley as I know it and I've lived here for almost a decade. To each his own I guess. I just stopped watching, it was too bland for my taste.

Fr0styMatt 12 years ago | |

I tend to agree with you on this after having watched the first two episodes, but I'm keeping an open mind (I'm still keen to see what happens, so it hasn't lost me just yet).

The show just seems like this really weird combination where on the one hand it tries to be ultra-realistic (hey look here's a TED talk; here's something else mentioned in the netsphere! <insert other random SV/HN/tech cultural reference/buzzwords just because>) but then you have that stupid premise about the company inventing some kind of magically-impossible compression algorithm. Plus I think it was far too quick to show it's cards; BIG COMPANY vs LITTLE COMPANY?!?! REALLY WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT?!?!

Maybe I don't get the humor either but I can't decide whether the show is actually trying to be a comedy or a drama. It definitely seems much more like a drama to me. I remember genuinely laughing more at parts of 'Pirates of Silicon Valley'.

Patrick_Devine 12 years ago |

I've only watched an episode and I thought it was hilarious. I don't even think it's an exaggeration. I've worked for a company that went from a startup to a massive company complete with big name bands playing to 12 people. I think we've all seen bro-grammers. The roving packs of engineers was spot on. There really are tons of crazy vehicles... my main transportation is this thing: http://www.larryvsharry.com/bike/bullittstraight.jpg

For the people who don't find it funny, you may in the future. I actually didn't think Office Space was funny the first time I saw it as it just cut too close to the bone. Now I see it as one of the funniest movies I've ever watched.

pushplay 12 years ago |

I've always liked the quote "Nobody has the right to not be offended." Certainly as members of a very privileged group few people have that right less than us.

criswell 12 years ago |

At this point... either. I am trying to like it but it hasn't happened yet. I am pressing on because I love Mike Judge, though.

ScottWhigham 12 years ago |

I'm trying to understand what precisely there is that could be considered "offensive". Can you give us an idea of what inspired your post? I'm trying to grasp just what it is that would offend someone - is it the characters, the hooker, the drugs, etc.

pingburg 12 years ago | |

IMHO it's important to be able to laugh at yourself, not take yourself too seriously, etc. I wondered how defensive folks from the Silicon Valley would be at a show that portrayed a segment of it in less than a favorable light. I've been pleasantly surprised.

s_m 12 years ago |

I think it's funny, mainly because I feel like I recognize many of the archetypes among people I know or have met. It's only a slight exaggeration of what it's like here.

coffeecodecouch 12 years ago |

http://youtu.be/fHMoDt3nSHs?t=3m32s

So what, be offended, nothing happens. You're an adult, grow up. Deal with it.

pingburg 12 years ago | |

Do you live in Silicon Valley?

coinspotting 12 years ago |

FakeValley has a lighter flavor. But it is a long form read so its not the same thing.

jason_slack 12 years ago |

It's funny to me. I live in "SV".

Alexontwowheels 12 years ago |

Obviously it's funny.