HBO’s The Wire ran for five seasons from 2002 until 2008 and was probably the greatest thing to happen to television in the last three decades. The show was filmed and set in Baltimore and traversed the drug trade, the law, the courts, the educational system and even the docks. It was created and produced by former police reporter David Simon who gave a killer interview with VICE magazine in late 2009.

On the impact of the drug trade as a growth industry of America, Simon had this to say:

“When the economy shrugs, it throws more people onto the corners.” It’s simple as that. Addiction is a growth industry in America. Not just in black America, but all across the country. Look at methamphetamine. Ultimately, because the drug trade is in part an economic imperative, meaning it’s the only factory still working in parts of America and therefore it is a viable employer where no other viable employer exists, it’s going to have its own fundamental lure. But it actually goes beyond money in this sense. People are defined by what they do in this culture.”

Check out the rest of the interview.

This video containing 100 amazing lines from the show made its’ rounds on YouTube last year as well. There’s some classics in here but do not watch this if you haven’t seen the show as it contains a shit-tonne of spoilers.

-Jay

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