Comparison:
‘Trying to be a high stakes trader without an ISDA is like trying to win the Indy 500 riding a llama.’
in this comparison, one must know the designation “ISDA“ (hint: it does NOT stand for
Idaho State Dept. of Agriculture) to make sense of the comparison. If, in the movie The Big Short, you recognize, via caption prompts, that “ISDA“ stands for an authorization to participate in high-stakes derivative trading on Wall Street, you can then quickly see how untenable it might be to attempt derivative trades without the proper credentials and access. Bringing in the Indy 500 immediately suggests competition, specific equipment, and expertise. The absurdity of having a llama as your ride in such a highly competitive race provides a contrasting juxtaposition that helps with sticky memory dynamics and with quick comprehension.
Context:
[In the movie The Big Short characters “Charlie Geller” and “Jamie Shipley” seek to create anticipated lucrative derivitive trades on Wall Street. In NYC they meet with a JP Morgan official about the possibility of gaining an ISDA agreement. They learn that they are woefully short of the financial assets necessary for that access.]
Citation:
Randolph, Charles and Adam McKay. The Big Short. Paramount Pictures, 2015.
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