In a recent episode of The Simpsons, titled “Treehouse of Horror XXXIV” from Season 35, the show delves into the world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), shedding light on their cultural impact.
The Halloween-themed episode takes a satirical approach to NFTs, capturing the essence of the current crypto trend.
The narrative unfolds with a speech from Springfield’s mayor, Quimby, proposing to transform the town’s valuable art gallery into NFTs — effectively immortalizing them on the blockchain.
Homer and Bart, enticed by the idea, attempt to steal these pieces. Bart, in a daring move, steps into a capsule machine, undergoing a digitization process that turns him into an NFT — the very first “natural person” to do so.
Homer immediately views his son’s newfound digital existence on his mobile device, a digital asset now valued at a staggering $1.5 million.
In a quest to rescue Bart from the clutches of the blockchain, Marge decides to follow suit and digitize herself into an NFT.
Upon her digital transformation, Marge finds herself aboard a “blockchain train,” with other various NFTs, including popular ones like CryptoPunks and Doodles. These digital assets shuffle between train wagons based on their respective values, with Bart securely housed in the front of the train, accessible only to NFTs of equivalent worth.
Value appreciation hinges on NFT scarcity within each wagon, prompting Marge to enhance her value by outsmarting and eliminating other NFTs along the way. She eventually reaches the front of the train, reuniting with Bart.
This episode, initially announced in July, serves as a clever commentary on the cryptocurrency market’s inherent volatility, offering a glimpse into the ebbs and flows of the NFT craze.
The NFT market witnessed astonishing growth in 2021, with a staggering 21,000% surge in sales. However, recent months have brought a noticeable shift. NFT sales, which numbered 7.36 million in January 2023, dwindled to 3.7 million by July, marking a 49% decrease in market activity.
