LOST: ...to boost the signal

Sayid, as played by Naveen Andrews, can make a transmitting device out of two toothpicks and a potato (or in this case, an old music box)- however, due to the electromagnetism, or phlogiston, of the island, it never does the slightest good in getting the castaways rescued. This character has forever changed the face of geekdom...now you can be nerdy and be one very badass dude (strangling villains with your toes, etc.).