Walter O'Brien: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia
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| known_for = {{unbulleted list|Inspiration of the television series ''[[Scorpion (TV series)|Scorpion]]''}}
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'''Walter O'Brien''' (born 24 February 1975<ref name="nrsKeegan"/>) is an Irish businessman and [[information technologist]]. He was also the executive producer and loose inspiration for the television series ''[[Scorpion (TV series)|Scorpion]]''.<ref name="it1Boyd 2014a">{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/media/scorpion-how-an-irish-genius-saved-the-world-1.1890383|title=Scorpion: How an Irish genius saved the world|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=8 October 2014|last=Boyd|first=Brian|date=9 August 2014}}</ref><ref name=cbs1"Bui">{{cite news |url=http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2014/09/22/real-life-superhero-geniuses-inspire-new-cbs-show-scorpion|title=Real-Life Superhero Geniuses Inspire New CBS Show 'Scorpion'|first=Linh |last=Bui|date=22 September 2014|publisher=[[WJZ-TV]]|location=Baltimore, MD|access-date=8 October 2014}}</ref> He is known for claiming various accomplishments, including a childhood IQ of 197, which have been scrutinized and remain unproven.<ref name="Techdirt 2014-09-25Masnick"/><ref name=it2"Boyd 2014b"/><ref name="Karlin 2014b"/>
==Early life==
===Childhood and education===
Walter O'Brien was born to Maurice and Anne O'Brien in 1975 in [[Clonroche]], [[County Wexford]], Ireland.<ref name="it2Boyd 2014b"/> The second of five children, he grew up on a farm.<ref name="nrsKeegan">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/regionals/newrossstandard/entertainment/the-scorpion-30518699.html|title=The Scorpion|newspaper=[[New Ross Standard]]|first=Niamh|last=Keegan|date=23 August 2014|access-date=26 September 2014}}</ref> He attended St. Patrick's National School in Courtnacuddy until his family moved to Rosshaven, when he was 13 years old. There he attended St. Mary's Christian Brothers School, [[Enniscorthy]].<ref name="nrsKeegan"/>
O'Brien has stated he scored a 197<ref name="nrsKeegan"/> on an [[intelligence quotient|IQ]] test administered by one of his teachers in primary school<ref name="it2Boyd 2014b">{{cite news|title=Scorpion: Walter O'Brien on his life off-screen|first=Brian |last=Boyd|date=4 October 2014|newspaper=The Irish Times|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/media/scorpion-walter-o-brien-on-his-life-off-screen-1.1950776?page=1|access-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> but did not keep the paperwork.<ref name="Karlin 2014b">{{cite magazine|first=Susan|last=Karlin|title=Hackers vs. Scorpion: Walter O'Brien Responds To Scrutiny Of Real-Life Claims Fueling TV's 'Scorpion'|url=http://www.fastcocreate.com/3036897/hackers-vs-scorpion-walter-obrien-responds-to-scrutiny-of-real-life-claims-fueling-tvs-scorp|magazine=[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]]|date=15 October 2014|access-date=29 November 2014}}</ref>
''[[Techdirt]]'' and ''[[The Irish Times]]'' said that O'Brien's 197 IQ score from childhood does not mean his intelligence exceeds that of other adults because scoring is scaled based on age.<ref name="Techdirt 2014-09-25Masnick">{{cite web|url=https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140924/14422128627/another-story-fake-brilliant-inventor-is-scorpion-walter-obrien-real-computer-security-genius.shtml|title=Another Story of a 'Fake' Brilliant Inventor? Is 'Scorpion Walter O'Brien' a Real Computer Security Genius?|author-link=Mike Masnick|first=Mike|last=Masnick|date=25 September 2014|work=[[Techdirt]]|access-date=9 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="it2Boyd 2014b"/> Mike Masnick noted that of all the "top IQ" lists available online, each one is different and none contains O'Brien's name.<ref name="Techdirt 2014-09-25Masnick"/> Susan Karlin questioned why, since O'Brien uses his childhood IQ score as part of his self-marketing, he did not retake the test through [[Mensa International|Mensa]] so that it could be confirmed.<ref name="Karlin 2014b"/>
After completing his [[Leaving Certificate (Ireland)|Leaving Certificate]] at [[St Kieran's College]] in [[Kilkenny]], O'Brien attended the [[University of Sussex]] where he graduated with a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in [[computer science]] and [[artificial intelligence]].<ref name="nrsKeegan"/><ref name="it2Boyd 2014b"/>
===Early interest in computers===
According to the ''[[New Ross Standard]]'', his interest in computers began when his primary school started offering a computer course. O'Brien's father gave him livestock as payment for doing chores on the farm, which he sold in order to purchase an [[Amstrad]] personal computer<ref name="nrsKeegan"/> at age nine, around 1984.<ref name="it1Boyd 2014a"/>
Other sources indicate that his interest began when he was 14 when his parents bought him a computer.<ref name="irishcentral1Hertz">{{Cite news|url=http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/New-CBS-show-to-air-about-Wexford-born-genius-Walter-OBrien.html|title=Wexford-born genius Walter O'Brien chats about the new CBS show on his life|last=Hertz|first=Kayla|date=17 September 2014|work=IrishCentral|access-date=14 April 2015}}</ref>
O'Brien has stated that when he was thirteen years old ({{circa|1988}}), he hacked into [[NASA]] under the pseudonym "Scorpion".<ref name="januamJanuam">{{cite web|url=http://www.telestar.fr/2015/articles/scorpion-m6-l-histoire-vraie-de-walter-o-brien-le-hacker-qui-a-inspire-la-s-85069|title=Scorpion, M6: l'histoire vraie de Walter O'Brien, le hacker qui a inspiré la série|work=Téléstar|first=Thomas |last=Januam|date=5 March 2015|access-date=7 April 2015}}</ref>
In an interview with ''[[Silicon Republic]]'', an Irish technology news website, O'Brien claimed that the [[NSA]], through [[Interpol]], appeared at his home following the hack.<ref name = "siliconrepublic2">{{cite web |url=https://www.siliconrepublic.com/companies/2015/09/03/interview-with-scorpion-walter-obrien-goes-to-hollywood |first=John |last=Kennedy |title=Interview with Scorpion: Walter O'Brien goes to Hollywood |work=Silicon Republic|date=3 September 2015|access-date=4 September 2015}}</ref> He told the agents he would help [[Grey hat hacker|show them vulnerabilities in their network]] in exchange for not getting into trouble.<ref name=cbs1"Bui"/> According to O'Brien, he had an [[extradition]] document ready in his backpack, but he could not provide more details on the deal that was made due to [[Non-disclosure agreement|non-disclosure agreements]].<ref name="it2Boyd 2014b"/>
French tabloid ''Telestar'' reported that there is no record of the alleged NASA hack.<ref name="januamJanuam"/> ''Techdirt'' pointed out that the [[United States Department of Homeland Security]]—which [[CBS]] showed surrounding O'Brien's family's home in the television show—did not exist at the time of the alleged hack.<ref name="Techdirt 2014-09-25Masnick"/>
O'Brien was a member of the Irish team that participated in the 1993 [[International Olympiad in Informatics]] computer coding competition.<ref name="Karlin 2014b"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.compapp.dcu.ie/~cdaly/ioi/ioi_pics.html|title=IOI pictures|work=Charlie Day personal webpage|first=Charlie |last=Day|date=28 November 1994|access-date=23 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970715005724/http://www.compapp.dcu.ie/~cdaly/ioi/ioi_pics.html|archive-date=15 July 1997}}</ref> The university from which he graduated shows his team finished the 1993 Olympiad in 90th place out of 250.<ref name="Karlin 2014b"/>
==Career==
O'Brien allegedly founded Scorpion Computer Services at age 13 in 1988.<ref name="irishcentral1Hertz"/> ''The Irish Times'' reported he brought the business with him in the late 1990s, after graduating from university and moving to the United States.<ref name="it1Boyd 2014a"/> The ''[[New Ross Standard]]'' wrote that Scorpion Computer Services started as an [[IT]] [[tutoring]] service that expanded into security and [[risk management]],<ref name="nrsKeegan"/> and ''The Irish Times'' also described Scorpion Computer Services as an [[artificial intelligence]] company.<ref name="it1Boyd 2014a"/> In 2014, O'Brien described his company as a [[think tank]] for "high IQ individuals".<ref name=cbs1"Bui"/><ref name="irishcentral1Hertz"/><ref name=nyp>{{cite news|url=https://nypost.com/2014/09/21/scorpion-set-to-get-high-tech-on-cbs|title='Scorpion' set to get high-tech on CBS|work=New York Post|first=Andrea|last= Morabito|date=21 September 2014|access-date=26 September 2014}}</ref><ref name=fastcompany1"Karlin 2014a">{{cite news|title=How the real hacker behind CBS'S "Scorpion made a show to grow his own company, and more hackers|first=Susan |last=Karlin|work=Fast Company|url=http://www.fastcocreate.com/3036367/how-the-real-hacker-behind-cbs-scorpion-made-a-show-to-grow-his-own-company-and-more-hackers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141003090653/http://www.fastcocreate.com/3036367/how-the-real-hacker-behind-cbs-scorpion-made-a-show-to-grow-his-own-company-and-more-hackers |archive-date=2014-10-03|date=October 1, 2014|access-date=29 January 2015}}</ref>
O'Brien started Scorpion Studios, which advises film and television producers on how to make technology appear real.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://innotechtoday.com/scorpion-studios-talks-tech-realism-in-the-movies/ |title=Scorpion Studios Talks Tech Realism in the Movies |work=Innovation and Technology Today |date=November 1, 2018 |access-date=April 19, 2020}}</ref>
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===Boston Marathon bombing===
{{see also|Boston Marathon bombing}}
A month after the bombing at the [[2013 Boston Marathon]], Fox 11 LA-[[KTTV]] (Los Angeles) reported that O'Brien's company, Scorpion Computer Services, Inc., developed [[Video analysis|video-analysis]] software similar to that used by the [[FBI]] to catch the bombers.<ref>Susan Hirasuna. Fox 11 LA-KTTV 10:00 News. {{YouTube|id=EFk9Sliuj9E|title=Boston Bombing Video Forensics}}. June 2013</ref> ''Techdirt'' said that this was one of many "bogus" claims about O'Brien by CBS.<ref name="Techdirt 2014-09-25Masnick"/>
Asher Langton, a security intelligence engineer, said O'Brien offered conflicting narratives of his contributions to catching the bombers and that the use of [[facial recognition system|facial recognition software]] in the manner reported was implausible.<ref name="Karlin 2014b"/> O'Brien said he was bound by non-disclosure agreements.<ref name="Karlin 2014b"/><ref name=bostoncbs>{{cite web|url=http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/10/06/real-life-scorpion-helped-id-boston-marathon-bombing-suspects|title=Real-Life 'Scorpion' Helped ID Boston Marathon Bombing Suspects|publisher=CBS Boston WBZ-TV|first=Kathryn |last=Hauser|date=6 October 2014|access-date=30 April 2015}}</ref>
===CBS show===
{{Main|Scorpion (TV series)}}
According to O'Brien, in an effort to promote his company Scorpion Computer Services, Inc. and its service Concierge Up, he came up with the idea to create a television show.<ref name = entrepreneur"Ramdev"/> O'Brien contacted [[Scooter Braun]] who pitched the idea to CBS.<ref name="Karlin 2014b"/><ref name = entrepreneur"Ramdev">{{cite web |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-in/entrepreneurs/the-kid-who-hacked-nasa-servers-at-age-13-now-has-his-own/272242 |last=Ramdev |first=Vinil |date=March 10, 2016 |title=The Kid Who Hacked NASA Servers at Age 13 Now Has His Own Television Show |work=[[Entrepreneur Magazine]] |access-date=6 July 2016}}</ref> In September 2014, CBS premiered the first season of the drama series, ''Scorpion'', based on O'Brien's alleged life experiences.<ref name="it1Boyd 2014a"/><ref name=cbs1"Bui"/> He serves as an [[executive producer]] for the series,<ref name=cbs1"Bui"/> and regularly contributes to story development.<ref name="hollywoodreporterGoldberg">{{cite news|title='Scorpion': What Happens When a Certified Genius Crashes the Writers Room?|first=Lesley|last=Goldberg|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=22 September 2014|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/scorpion-what-happens-a-certified-733544|access-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> For his part in story development, O'Brien consults with series writers on technical aspects of the plot, including how he would solve problems presented in the show's scripts.<ref name="hollywoodreporterGoldberg"/> The technical aspects of the plot, however, were a reason for a review published on the website of the [[National Science Teachers Association]] to advise teachers to use the show as an example of incorrect or exaggerated science in 2015.<ref name = nstanewsonscorpion>{{cite web | url = https://old.nsta.org/publications/news/story.aspx?id=60166 | publisher = NTSA News - Blick on Flicks | title = Scorpion Stung by Weak Science |first=Jacob Clark |last=Blickenstaff | access-date = 8 September 2021 | date = 23 April 2015}}</ref> O'Brien also consults with [[Elyes Gabel]], the actor who plays the fictional Walter O'Brien. In an interview with [[CBS News]] to promote the second season, Gabel said about O'Brien that "he's out saving the world or talking to, you know, princes of [[Liechtenstein]]. So every now and again, I get the chance to talk to him and he'll call me up. And sometimes we talk about the show. Sometimes we talk about characters."<ref name = cbsseason2promo>{{cite web | url = http://www.cbsnews.com/news/scorpion-stars-step-up-action-comedy-for-season-2/ | publisher = CBS News | title = 'Scorpion' season 2 news: Elyes Gabel comments on relationship with real Walter O' Brien| access-date = 26 December 2015}}</ref>
The first season attracted more than 26 million viewers.<ref name=variety>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/ratings/audience-for-cbs-premiere-of-scorpion-tops-26-million-via-35-day-multi-platform-viewing-1201350860|title=Audience For CBS' Premiere of 'Scorpion' Tops 26 Million Via 35-Day Multi-Platform Viewing|magazine=Variety Magazine|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref> CBS ordered a full season of ''Scorpion'' in October 2014 and renewed it for a second season in 2015. The show was renewed again for a third season in 2016, with a fourth seasoned confirmed for 2017.<ref name=eonline>{{cite news|title=CBS Give Full-Season Orders to All 4 of Its New Drama Series: Scorpion, NCIS: New Orleans and More|first=Sydney|last= Bucksbaum|publisher=[[E!]]|date=27 October 2014|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/592354/cbs-give-full-season-orders-to-all-4-of-its-new-drama-series-scorpion-ncis-new-orleans-and-more|access-date=29 November 2014}}</ref><ref name =season3promo>{{cite web | url =http://www.cbs.com/recommended/news/1005131/find-out-which-cbs-shows-have-also-been-renewed-for-the-2016-2017-season-/ | publisher = CBS | title = Find Out Which CBS Shows Have Also Been Renewed For The 2016–2017 Season! Scorpion, Madam Secretary, and Elementary lead a full pack of returning shows. | access-date = 8 May 2016}}</ref> In March 2017, CBS renewed Scorpion for season 4.<ref name = scorpiontv>{{cite news | url = http://www.indiewire.com/2017/03/survivor-ncis-big-bang-theory-scorpion-renewed-cbs-pickup-fall-2017-1201796233/ | title = 'Survivor,' 'NCIS' Trilogy, 'Scorpion,' More Series Renewed in Massive CBS Pickup for Fall 2017 |work = Indie Wire | access-date = 1 April 2017}}</ref> The show was cancelled after four seasons in May 2018.<ref name= scorpioncancel>{{cite magazine | url = https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/scorpion-canceled-cbs-1202808407/ | title = Scorpion Canceled After Four Seasons |magazine = Variety.com}}</ref>
==Accuracy of biography==
In 2014, ''[[CNET]]'', ''[[Techdirt]]'', and [[Fast Company (magazine)|''Fast Company'']] evaluated CBS' claims about O'Brien's accomplishments, widely reported in the media, following questions to ''Fast Company''.<ref name="Karlin 2014b"/> ''[[The Irish Times]]'' said that "it is impossible to substantiate some claims."<ref name=it2"Boyd 2014b"/> In a follow-up interview with Susan Karlin of ''Fast Company'', O'Brien answered some of Karlin's questions but said that he was bound by [[non-disclosure agreement]]s.<ref name="Karlin 2014b"/>
Karlin wrote that some community-edited [[Business directory|business directories]] showed O'Brien's company was much smaller than the 2,600 employees and $1.3 billion in revenues stated in Karlin's original article.<ref name="fastcompany1Karlin 2014a"/> For example, in 2014 an anonymous editor on Credibility.com recorded Scorpion Computer Services as having 1 employee with an annual revenue of $66,000.<ref name="Karlin 2014b"/><ref name=credibility>{{cite web|url=https://credibility.com/all-other-professional-scientific-and-technical-services/us-ca-burbank/scorpion-computer-services-inc |date=7 October 2014 |title=Scorpion Computer Services Profile |publisher=Credibility.com |access-date=11 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007201327/https://credibility.com/all-other-professional-scientific-and-technical-services/us-ca-burbank/scorpion-computer-services-inc |archive-date=7 October 2014 }}</ref> Karlin points out that community-edited business directories data may be unreliable, and O'Brien stated that most of the company consists of [[Independent contractor|independent contractors]] who work remotely.<ref name="Karlin 2014b"/>
In a [[News.com.au]] interview of Elyes Gabel, the actor who plays the fictional O'Brien in the TV show, the reporter Andrew Fenton says: "But even Elyes Gabel, who plays O'Brien in the show, admits he has some concerns over the veracity of the story. He says that to find the character he had to push those doubts to one side and just accept O'Brien's story as gospel."<ref name=fenton"Fenton">{{cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/doubts-over-tv-drama-scorpions-true-story-about-a-13yearold-who-hacked-into-nasa/news-story/0617a61fa9aa8c571c458b5ad7590eb8 |title=Doubts over TV drama Scorpion's 'true story' about a 13-year-old who hacked into NASA |work=[[News.com.au]] |first=Andrew |last=Fenton |date=5 September 2015 |access-date=20 November 2015}}</ref> "That meant everything that he was saying I believe rather than kind of questioning," he says. "That becomes a very dangerous, treacherous area if you don't really fully commit or believe in what somebody is saying. So once I got rid of that, the balance became: 'How do I make this guy? How do I create vulnerability in a character?"
Fenton goes on to say:
<blockquote>In reality many of O'Brien's claims don't stack up. He says he didn't keep the paperwork showing he scored 197 on an IQ test in primary school — but even if it were true, scores are scaled with age, meaning a high score as a child doesn't reflect his intelligence as an adult. He hasn't taken an official [[Mensa International|Mensa]]-approved test since. There's also no evidence of the NASA hack and O'Brien can't provide further details claiming he signed a non-disclosure agreement. And of course Homeland Security was formed as a result of the [[September 11 attacks|attack on the Twin Towers]] and didn't exist when he was 13.<ref name=fenton"Fenton"/></blockquote>
==Personal life==
O'Brien has lived in [[Los Angeles]], California, since 2001 when he was issued an [[EB-1 visa]] to immigrate to the United States. This type of visa is set aside for people with "extraordinary abilities" and/or who can be considered a national asset and goes to thousands of people each year.<ref name="irishcentral1Hertz"/>
In 2015, ''[[Kilkenny People]]'' reported that O'Brien received a mayoral certificate from the mayor of Kilkenny for his contribution and dedication to the Irish community in Los Angeles.<ref name="kilkennypeopleCody">{{cite news|url=http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/kilkenny-news/computer-genius-from-kilkenny-briefs-top-us-army-officials-1-6852855|title=Computer Genius from Kilkenny Briefs Top US Army Officials|last=Cody|first=Mary|newspaper=[[Kilkenny People]]|access-date=17 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721093622/https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/kilkenny-news/computer-genius-from-kilkenny-briefs-top-us-army-officials-1-6852855 |archive-date=2015-07-21}}</ref> O'Brien helped fund the start-up cost of Kilkenny Taxi Watch which ''Kilkenny People'' reported as having [[Suicide prevention|prevented]] 45 suicides through July 2015.<ref name ="kilkennypeopleCody"/><ref name = IrishExaminer>{{cite news | url = http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/kilkenny-taxi-drivers-lauded-for-saving-45-suicidal-people-349208.html | title = Kilkenny taxi drivers lauded for saving 45 suicidal people| newspaper = Irish Examiner | access-date = 25 August 2015}}</ref> By April 2016, Taxi Watch stated on their [[Facebook]] page that the number of lives saved had reached 100.
O'Brien has spoken at numerous events, including speaking at the [[Mensa International|Mensa]] 2016 annual gathering event in [[San Diego]],<ref name = mensa>{{cite web | url = https://www.us.mensa.org/newsroom/press-releases/mensa-comes-to-san-diego-june-29-july-3/ | title = Mensa comes to San Diego, June 29 July 3| publisher = Mensa .org | access-date = 24 June 2017}}</ref> and the Houston Innovation Conference and Showcase.<ref name =xconomy>{{cite web | url = http://www.xconomy.com/texas/2015/10/09/the-real-scorpion-suped-up-wearables-more-at-houston-tech-event/ | title = The Real Scorpion, Suped-up Wearables, & More at Houston Tech Event|publisher = Xconomy | access-date = 12 October 2015}}</ref><ref name = houston>{{cite news | url = http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/technology/article/Scorpion-inspiration-sees-high-tech-peril-in-6558666.php | title =Q&A: 'Scorpion' inspiration sees high-tech peril in the real world | newspaper = Houston Chronicle | access-date = 9 October 2015}}</ref>
In 2017, O'Brien was honored with [[unite4:humanity|unite4:humanity's]] Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement award.<ref name = people>{{ cite web | url = http://people.com/celebrity/cara-delevingne-accepts-humanitarian-award-for-amber-heard/ | work = People| title = Cara Delevingne Accepts Humanitarian Award for Amber Heard After She Had to Leave Event Due to an 'Emergency' | access-date = 27 June 2017}}</ref>
==References==