I get most of the pop/nerd-culture references in The Big Bang Theory, even if it’s just to the extent of having heard of what they’re talking about.

But a few seasons ago, Raj and Sheldon had a conversation about Edwin Abbott’s book “Flatland” that was pure gibberish to me:

Now, after reading the book, I completely understand.  It’s an interesting work, told from the point of view of a square in a two-dimensional world.  He explains all the intricacies of the place, including the hierarchy that begins with line-shaped women, progresses upward through the classes of triangles, squares, pentagons and so on until the highest ranks of circles.

It’s a commentary on class structures and the ways in which information — or the lack thereof — can be used to suppress those on lower rungs.

At one point, the squarrattor (square narrator) finds himself in Lineland, a one-dimensional place overseen by a king who cannot fathom life with a second dimension.  The two get in an argument, during which the king of Lineland utters something I hope to work into my daily speech:

“Acknowledge your folly or depart from my dominions.”

How great would it be to say that to someone who offended you?  I can’t wait.

If you don’t want to read the very short book version of this story, there’s apparently an animated film with the voices of Martin Sheen and Kristen Bell:

I haven’t seen this, but it seems like a fun way to experience the idea through with an old-school video game vibe instead of the printed word.