If Silicon Valley Tech Companies Were 'Game Of Thrones' Characters

Last night, the seventh-season finale of the Emmy-winning hit show Game of Thrones premiered on Time Warner’s (NYSE:TWX) HBO. “Game of Thrones,” which is based on George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy novels, has grown into one of the world’s most popular TV dramas, and the internet is buzzing after yet another dramatic episode.

As viewers continue to digest the latest twists, social media platforms and fan forums are rife with speculation, theories, and show-related memes. There will likely be a long layoff between last night’s finale and the eighth—and final—season’s debut, so you can expect this hypothesizing to continue for some time.

One of the most remarkable accomplishments of Games of Thrones, perhaps even more impressive than its 38 Primetime Emmy Awards, has been its ability to transcend television and consume our everyday lives. In our modern world built on technology and instant gratification, it’s worth noting that a slow-moving epic set in a Middle Ages-like world has taken over our pop culture conversations.

At this point, it’s safe to assume that even those who don’t watch the show could recognize its main characters and discuss its basic plotlines. That kind of popularity allows us to have a little fun today—hence the title you see above.

In an effort to connect the Game of Thrones universe with our world of investing and finance, we’ve decided to draw some comparisons between the show’s most important figures and our very-real Silicon Valley tech companies—the companies that represent some of the world’s most iconic brands.

WARNING: Spoilers Ahead!

For all of the Game of Thrones fans and investors out there, here’s our definitive guide to Silicon Valley tech giants, if they were Game of Thrones characters:

Facebook ( (NASDAQ:FB) ) – Jon Snow

Young, handsome, and outrageously popular, Jon Snow has been through quite a bit of hardship over the past seven seasons, including being betrayed by his followers and subsequently stabbed multiple times.

Facebook has hardly faced any challenges that are akin to being revived from the dead, but Mark Zuckerberg and company have proven to be consistent winners with a taste for greatness—just like Jon Snow. Even in their darkest hours, the North can trust Jon Snow’s leadership. Given its consistent penchant for growth and strong forward direction, it feels like tech-focused investors can trust Facebook too.

Nvidia ( (NASDAQ:NVDA) ) – Daenerys Targaryen

Impressive growth thus far. A future with the potential for even more growth. A cult-like following. An arsenal with a diverse lineup of weapons. It’s pretty obvious that the Mother of Dragons and Nvidia—an investor-favorite graphics chip maker with a strong foothold in gaming, autonomous cars, and AI—have plenty in common.

Even more interestingly, Nvidia is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while Daenerys has assembled the largest (living) army in Westeros and commands two full-sized dragons—weaponry that has made her many people’s odds-on favorite to take the Iron Throne.

Apple ( (NASDAQ:AAPL) ) – Cersei Lannister

Love her or hate her, Cersei Lannister has emerged as one of the show’s most badass characters. A fierce ruler who will do anything to protect her family, Cersei has been in a primary position of power for the majority of the seven seasons—a level of dominance that is akin to Apple’s reign over the tech industry.

Of course, Cersei can be relatively cruel, and I am by no means suggesting that Apple is an evil company. However, one cannot deny the glaring similarity between Apple and Cersei, as their names alone strike fear in those who dare challenge them.

Twitter ( (NYSE:TWTR) ) – Varys

Ok, time for a break from the seriousness. Varys, also known as the Master of Whisperers, is always clambering about what the “little birds” are telling him. The guy must spend a heck of a lot of time on Twitter.

Alphabet Inc. ( (NASDAQ:GOOGL) ) – Bran Stark/The Three-Eyed Raven

This one is also a pretty simple one. Bran Stark, who has recently transformed into the all-knowing Three-Eyed Raven, can see basically everything that has happened/is happening in the past and present.

Just ask any college student approaching the deadline for their research paper—they’ll say similar things about Google’s unending knowledge. On top of this, Alphabet’s other projects, such as YouTube and Waymo, underscore its diverse portfolio and further proove its “know-it-all” status.

Netflix ( (NASDAQ:NFLX) ) – Tyrion Lannister

Even in his own words, Tyrion Lannister is a simple man. “I drink, and I know things,” he once proclaimed. This type of cunning and wit has saved Tyrion, a fan favorite, on many occasions, and his resulting popularity reminds us of the following Netflix has built thanks to its award-winning library of original shows.

We should also note that both Tyrion and Netflix have had obviously noticeable changes of fate through the years. Tyrion began his fight on the side of his family, and now he is loyal to Daenerys—and in direct opposition to the remaining Lannisters. Similarly, the Blockbuster-killing Netflix has quickly transformed into a media production powerhouse and is already nearing its goal of making 50% of its library original content.

Uber – The Night King

Perhaps I’m being a bit too harsh on Uber here. After all, I am comparing the ride-hailing giant to the show’s number one bad guy. But there’s actually quite a few solid comparisons to be made.

For one, the Night King’s raw power and destructive ability is certainly similar to Uber’s devastation of the traditional taxi industry. Also, the Night King and his White Walkers have assembled a massive army, making his strength similar to the horde of Uber drivers out on the roads. Finally, after its latest round of internal and public relations disasters, Uber has actually emerged as Silicon Valley’s villain this year.

So what do you think? Have we nailed this list, or do you totally disagree? Let me know on Twitter, @Ryan_McQueeney!

Want more stock market analysis from this author? Make sure to follow @Ryan_McQueeney on Twitter!

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