The Big Bang Theory

The Zarnecki Incursion - S4-E19

Plot hole: If Howard can hack into Blizzard's database so deeply that he can get the name and address of game players, he could easily restore all of Sheldon's stolen 'items'. Hacking personal details - a player's real identity and their home address! - is hardcore, detailed work that only an expert could do, compared to which adding a few extra items to a player in the game would be child's play. Sheldon would not be concerned about a possible comeback from the administrators at Blizzard. First, Sheldon doesn't hack into the database, Howard does, and someone as pragmatic and self-centred as Sheldon would simply disclaim any responsibility. Second, hacking into another player's account to access highly sensitive personal information like their home address would risk incurring the same penalty from Blizzard anyway. Either Sheldon doesn't know that or he doesn't care. Third, his account has already been hacked when the virtual items were stolen. He could simply claim that Howard's hacking into his account was just more of the same - nothing to do with him. Fourth, Blizzard did not detect the hacker stealing Sheldon's virtual items, nor did they prevent it happening, and they did not detect Howard hacking into his account to obtain his name and address. Sheldon can rightly assume he has nothing to fear.

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Suggested correction: Hacking the database to return items to Sheldon's account would also be traceable to Sheldon's account as cheating. That would get him permabanned if discovered, not a risk Sheldon wants to take.

LorgSkyegon

First, Sheldon doesn't hack into the database, Howard does, and someone as pragmatic and self-centred as Sheldon would simply disclaim any responsibility. Second, hacking into another player's account to access highly sensitive personal information like their home address would risk incurring the same penalty from Blizzard anyway. Either Sheldon doesn't know that or he doesn't care. Besides, if Blizzard were aware that Howard had hacked into Sheldon's account, why weren't they aware that the person who stole the virtual items did?

Reading information from a server is easier than writing new data into it. You can steal a mass bulk of files and extract the information at a later time, whereas writing information in Sheldon's account would take much more precision.

The Countdown Reflection - S5-E24

Factual error: There is not a snowball's chance of Howard becoming an astronaut. He suffers from cardiac arrhythmia, something about which he is completely open. "Transient" or not this is easily detectable by a simple electrocardiogram, which is a fundamental part of the many medical examinations a potential astronaut will have to pass. He wouldn't even be allowed to start basic training. Note also that during his basic training he shows signs of severe stress and trauma which would inevitably trigger a cardiac episode. Even if it didn't the fact that he was falling apart at the seams would have him removed from the programme for his own good.

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The Euclid Alternative - S2-E5

Question: Though it comes up in other episodes as well, this one is focused on Sheldon needing a ride everywhere he goes because he can't drive, not to mention his not being welcome on the bus. Of course, this story element would be nonexistent if there was a simple answer, but it does beg the question: Does Pasadena not have taxicabs?

MFWills

Chosen answer: It does. The variable cleanliness of the cab and the habit of taxi drivers to engage customers in small talk would be too much for Sheldon to handle, and not an option for him.

Captain Defenestrator

Answer: Sheldon DID finally use a taxi when going to the airport to see and propose to Amy in New Jersey.

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