I ordered it on Uber Eats.

What arrived

Wake and Late, on North La Cienega in West Hollywood. Three breakfast burritos and one Juárez, four items, $55.00 of food that cost $75.59 delivered, after $8.49 of Uber One savings. Ordered at 10:37 on a Sunday morning, at the door at 11:05.

The breakfast burrito is twelve dollars and the menu describes it precisely: house organic tortilla, pasture-raised eggs, organic avocado, tater tots, cheddar, choice of sauce. Bacon is four dollars more, and it is a specific bacon. The menu says Neuske’s, the way a restaurant does when it is proud of a supplier. Two of ours came that way. All three came with cilantro crema. The menu marks the breakfast burrito as its most ordered item.

It was very good. The tots stayed crisp, which is the whole difficulty of putting tots in a burrito. The avocado was ripe without going to mush. The tortilla was toasted just enough to hold together.

Then there was the Juárez.

The one I ordered to find out

I added it for no reason except that I did not know what it was.

The menu is exact about it. House, organic tortilla, organic refried pinto beans, grass-fed mozzarella. Garlic crema, pickled onions and blistered chilies on the side. Three things in the tortilla, three things next to it.

It was delicious.

So the difference between the two is not care. The same kitchen sources both and says so about both, in the same words, on the same page. The difference is how much is in it. One is the breakfast burrito as a thing to add to: eggs, avocado, tots, cheese, a sauce, bacon if you want it. The other stops at beans and cheese.

The burrito is a northern Mexican invention, out of the wheat-and-cattle states and specifically Ciudad Juárez, and the northern format is small: a flour tortilla around one or two fillings. The version most Americans picture, big enough to need two hands and packed with rice and beans and everything else, is the Mission burrito, which appeared in San Francisco in the 1960s, a thousand miles north.

So the Juárez on that menu is not a callback. It is the older thing, still being made, sitting one line below the newer thing on the same list. Beans and cheese in a flour tortilla is what a burrito was before California got hold of it.

A shop selling the bigger version keeps the smaller one on the menu anyway. It would be easy not to. Somebody decided both should exist.

Why I ordered it

Because I was never coming back.

I was eating a regional food I cannot get at home. There was exactly one order to place, and no second visit to learn anything on. So I spent an extra $8.50 buying information instead of breakfast.

That is the opposite of the sushi place I have been going to since 2016, where I have ordered the same two things for a decade and never once looked at the rest of the menu. Same person. One place I go often enough that I stopped deciding; one place I would visit once, so I had to decide everything at once.

Both are reasonable.

It’s the sort of thought you only have when you let your brain float—part curiosity, part absurdity—the kind of pondering Douglas Adams might have described as “perfectly normal behavior for a species that invented both the digital watch and Vogon poetry.”

Where We Are with LLMs

If you’ve used ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini, you’ve encountered what’s called a large language model (LLM). Imagine a system that’s read more text than you and I could in ten lifetimes, and then uses that knowledge to predict the next word, sentence, or idea in a way that sounds remarkably human.

They don’t think like we do. But they’re very good at producing the appearance of thought. Ask them for a recipe, a joke, or a philosophical musing, and they’ll happily oblige.

What makes them powerful also makes them hungry: they require enormous amounts of computing power and electricity to train. We’re talking server farms the size of warehouses and energy bills that could run a small town.

Where We Are with Quantum

Quantum computers, on the other hand, are still more “prototype” than powerhouse. Instead of bits that are either 0 or 1, they use qubits—tiny systems that can be both 0 and 1 at once until observed.

That means a small number of qubits can represent staggering amounts of information. The problem is, they’re incredibly delicate. Qubits don’t like noise, heat, or even attention. They need environments colder than deep space to behave properly.

Right now, we have machines with a few hundred qubits, but only a fraction of those can be trusted after error correction. Think of them as promising but temperamental teenagers—not ready to run the world, but full of potential.

Where These Worlds Could Collide

Here’s where my hot tub daydream took me: what if we could combine these two?

LLMs are great, but they struggle with searching vast data sets, optimizing huge networks, and sampling from probability clouds that are too complex for traditional computers. Quantum algorithms might eventually help with exactly these tasks.

With only a few thousand reliable qubits, it’s possible to imagine an LLM that doesn’t just guess the next word—it reasons across probabilities in ways we can’t quite do today. Maybe it’s faster. Maybe it’s more efficient. Or maybe it’s just wonderfully strange.

The Big Picture

As I sat there with the trees above and the mountains in the distance, I realized:

• LLMs are the here and now—practical, noisy, sometimes brilliant, sometimes baffling.
• Quantum computers are the not yet—fascinating, fragile, and still trying to grow up.
• The idea of them working together is both exciting and absurd—exactly the kind of future Adams might have smiled about.

And perhaps, in true Hitchhiker’s Guide fashion, the best place to wonder about it all isn’t in a lab or a conference hall, but in a hot tub on a Saturday morning, pondering life, the universe, and everything.

Further Reading

If you’d like to dip into Douglas Adams’ own cosmic musings, here are a few of my favorite books:

• The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
• The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
• Life, the Universe and Everything
• So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish
• Mostly Harmless

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This guide will take you through both the inspiration behind these ideas and actionable steps you can take to focus on the how and why, ultimately leading to more meaningful success.

The Moment of Inspiration: Why the Process Matters

It all began with a comment from the Swedish Maker. At first glance, it may seem like a small observation, but it struck a chord with me: focusing on the process of creation rather than just the outcome. This idea resonated deeply, reminding me of how we often prioritize measurable achievements without fully appreciating the thought, effort, and challenges behind them.

In our professional and personal lives, we often chase results without fully reflecting on how we get there and, most importantly, why we’re doing it. The insight from the Swedish Maker encouraged me to explore the value in how and why—to focus on the process, the learning, and the motivations that make our achievements meaningful.

Simon Sinek’s Start with Why: The Foundation of Purpose

Simon Sinek’s Start with Why framework is all about discovering and focusing on your core purpose. Sinek argues that people don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it. This central theme is pivotal in both leadership and personal development. The why serves as the foundation of everything you do—it provides clarity, motivation, and direction.

But how do you practically apply this insight? In the next section, we’ll break down actionable strategies for aligning your how and why to your work, your projects, and your goals.

How to Apply the Power of “How” and “Why” to Your Work and Life

1. Start with the Why—Find Your Purpose

The why is your guiding light. Without a strong sense of purpose, your actions can feel directionless. But once you clarify your purpose, it will help you make better decisions and maintain focus.

How to Apply It:

• Reflect on Your Values: Spend time reflecting on what truly matters to you. What are your core values? What excites you? What problems do you want to solve? This will help you clarify your why.
• Define Your Mission: Whether it’s for a specific project or your broader career, define a mission that aligns with your core values. Your mission will guide your actions and decisions.
• Use Your Why as a Filter: As you plan and execute tasks, ask yourself if the action aligns with your why. If it doesn’t, reconsider how to approach it.

2. Focus on the How—Embrace the Process

The how is just as important as the why. It’s not only about reaching the destination—it’s about the journey. The way you approach challenges, solve problems, and adapt along the way is what shapes your success.

How to Apply It:

• Break Tasks into Steps: Rather than feeling overwhelmed by a big goal, break it down into smaller, manageable steps. Focus on the process rather than just the result.
• Embrace Challenges as Learning Opportunities: Challenges are inevitable. But instead of viewing them as roadblocks, see them as opportunities to grow and refine your approach.
• Iterate and Improve: The how often involves trial and error. Don’t strive for perfection in the first attempt. Instead, aim for progress through continuous learning and feedback.

3. Align Your How and Why with Your Goals

When your how and why are in sync, your work feels purposeful and motivating. Your actions align with your deeper mission, and the results become much more fulfilling.

How to Apply It:

• Set Meaningful Goals: Set goals that align with your why. For instance, instead of just aiming for a promotion or a monetary target, set goals that are rooted in your deeper purpose.
• Track Progress Based on the Journey: Rather than just tracking results, track how well you’re staying true to your process and purpose. This allows you to celebrate progress in addition to the end result.

4. Share the Process with Others

One of the most powerful aspects of focusing on the how and why is that it connects you to others. When you share your journey—your motivations, the obstacles you face, the lessons you learn—you create meaningful engagement and inspire others.

How to Apply It:

• Document Your Journey: Whether through blog posts, social media updates, or videos, share the story of your process. Highlight the challenges, learnings, and the reasons behind your actions.
• Mentor and Collaborate: Engage with others who share your why. Collaboration can amplify your impact, and mentoring can help keep you accountable to your mission.

5. Reconnect with Your Why Regularly to Stay Motivated

The journey can sometimes feel long, and it’s easy to lose sight of your purpose. Regularly reconnecting with your why ensures that your work remains aligned with your mission, helping to avoid burnout and maintain motivation.

How to Apply It:

• Check In with Your Purpose: Set aside time periodically to reflect on your why. Are you still aligned with it? Is your current work still supporting your deeper goals? Regular check-ins will help you stay on track.
• Avoid Burnout by Embracing the Process: When you focus on the how and why, the journey itself becomes fulfilling. Instead of focusing solely on the end result, find joy in the process of learning, adapting, and growing.

Conclusion: From Insight to Action

The insights from the Swedish Maker and Simon Sinek’s Start with Why have helped me rethink how I approach my work and life. The how and why are essential for creating meaningful and sustainable success. When you focus on purpose and process—not just the end result—you’ll find greater satisfaction and motivation in everything you do.

So, take a moment to reflect on your why. Break down your tasks into manageable steps. Reconnect with your purpose often, and focus on the journey. These practices will not only enhance your personal and professional growth but will help you achieve lasting success that feels meaningful.

If you haven’t already, check out Simon Sinek’s books, Start with Why and Leaders Eat Last, for deeper insights into purpose-driven success.

Start with Why - Book on Amazon

Leaders Eat Last - Book on Amazon

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What is your dream occupation? Have you ever felt it was out of reach—impossible to achieve because life’s practicalities weighed too heavily on your shoulders? Maybe you’ve convinced yourself it’s safer to set that dream aside, to stay on the well-trodden path. If so, you’re not alone.

The Swedish Maker once wrestled with these very thoughts. He had a secure job, a family to support, and a mortgage to pay. Pursuing a life built around his passions—woodworking, 3D printing, and storytelling—felt like an audacious dream. But something within him couldn’t let it go. Piece by piece, skill by skill, he began to connect the dots of his life, creating something extraordinary in the process.

This idea of “connecting the dots” is one that resonates deeply with creators, dreamers, and innovators. It’s an idea famously articulated by Steve Jobs in his Stanford commencement address. Jobs recounted how a calligraphy class, seemingly irrelevant to his future at the time, became the foundation for the beautiful typography that set Apple’s Macintosh apart. He emphasized that we can’t connect the dots looking forward; we can only connect them in hindsight.

The Swedish Maker, too, found that every interest he pursued—no matter how unrelated it seemed—contributed to his journey. Photoshop, video editing, woodworking, teaching—they all converged to help him create a life of freedom, creativity, and connection.

So, what about you? What passions, skills, or experiences have you dismissed as random or disconnected? Perhaps they’re not as random as they seem. Perhaps they’re the dots waiting to be connected into something extraordinary.

Steve Jobs’ Calligraphy and the Macintosh

Steve Jobs once shared a story that encapsulates the unpredictable beauty of following your passions. In his Stanford commencement speech, he recounted how, as a college student, he dropped out of the formal classes he was enrolled in and instead decided to take a calligraphy course. At the time, this decision seemed like a whimsical detour from the practical path he could have followed—he was no longer bound by the rigid structure of formal education, but rather, was free to explore what truly sparked his curiosity.

While calligraphy didn’t seem like it would have any relevance to his future at the time, it proved to be one of the most impactful decisions of his life. Jobs learned about the artistry behind typefaces, the balance of serifs and sans-serifs, and the importance of spacing in typography. Years later, when Apple was developing the first Macintosh, Jobs used the knowledge he’d gained from that calligraphy class to create beautiful fonts, which were among the first things that set the Mac apart from its competitors.

This story is a perfect example of how seemingly disconnected experiences—such as taking a calligraphy class—can ultimately play a crucial role in creating something groundbreaking. Jobs emphasized that looking back, he could see how the dots of his life had connected in a way that shaped his career. The lesson he imparted was simple but powerful: Trust your instincts, follow your passions, and know that what may seem like a random pursuit could one day form the foundation for something extraordinary.

In hindsight, Jobs saw the value of those experiences, even if he hadn’t understood their relevance at the time. And that’s the crux of the idea: the dots can only be connected when you look back. But by pursuing the things that excite and inspire you, you’ll build a foundation that will eventually reveal its true value.

The Swedish Maker: A Journey of Convergence

The story of The Swedish Maker echoes a similar theme of connecting seemingly unrelated skills and passions. His journey started with a simple love of making—whether that was woodworking, 3D printing, or leathercraft. But like many of us, his dream was clouded by practicality. He had a secure job, a family to support, and the pressures of daily life. The dream of turning his hobbies into a full-time creative career felt far-fetched and unrealistic.

But slowly, he began to piece his passions together. Over the years, he dabbled in many different creative pursuits: learning Photoshop, exploring video editing, building websites, and teaching himself new skills. As he began to share these creations on YouTube, he realized that his diverse interests were more interconnected than he had originally thought. From woodworking to photography to storytelling, each skill he learned fed into the next, each one expanding the scope of what he could create.

One day, as he worked on a project, he remembered Steve Jobs’ famous commencement speech, where Jobs spoke about how he’d taken a calligraphy class and later used that knowledge to shape the fonts in the first Mac. The realization hit him: just like Jobs, his own seemingly random interests were actually preparing him for something bigger. He wasn’t just a maker; he was a storyteller, a creator, someone whose eclectic set of skills allowed him to build a unique brand and audience on YouTube.

In the end, his journey wasn’t just about making things—it was about creating a narrative, building a community, and finding fulfillment by blending his passions. The Swedish Maker learned that it was the convergence of his varied interests—photography, design, teaching, and crafting—that gave his work its true power and authenticity.

His journey exemplifies the idea that our past pursuits don’t need to be linear or obvious in their connections. In fact, the richness of our experiences—however diverse they may seem—can lead us to a life and career that feels deeply personal, authentic, and fulfilling. Just as Jobs used calligraphy to shape his vision for the Mac, The Swedish Maker used his diverse skills to create a brand that resonated with a global audience, proving that passion, when nurtured, has a way of finding its true purpose.

Your Story: The Universal Thread

As I reflect on these stories—Steve Jobs’ calligraphy class, The Swedish Maker’s journey from teacher to YouTube creator, and countless others who have followed their passions—I see a common thread: the unexpected beauty of following a path that feels right, even if it’s not immediately clear how it fits into the bigger picture.

Much like Jobs and The Swedish Maker, my own journey has been filled with diverse interests, from cooking and woodworking to photography and tech. Each of these passions seemed separate at the time, yet when I look back, I can see how they’ve all shaped the work I do today.

For instance, my love of photography, which began as a hobby, has played a significant role in how I present my content. The way I capture moments, the framing, the lighting—all of this has influenced how I create videos for and how I approach the visual aspects of work. But it wasn’t always clear that photography would impact my tech content. Similarly, my background in tech and coding influences my approach to woodworking projects, where I use tools like lasers and other machines to make my creations more precise and efficient.

It’s easy to dismiss these interests as random or unrelated. But when I step back and look at the bigger picture, I can see that each of these seemingly separate threads has come together to form a unified vision for my content. Just like The Swedish Maker found that his varied skills gave him a unique voice on YouTube, I see how my diverse interests create a distinct narrative for my work—one that’s grounded in creativity, problem-solving, and a deep connection to the things I’m passionate about.

As I continue to explore new interests and take on new projects, I’m reminded that there’s no such thing as a wasted pursuit. Each experience adds something valuable to my journey, even if I don’t see it right away. And just as Jobs couldn’t have predicted how calligraphy would shape the Macintosh, I can’t fully know how my current passions will influence the work I do in the future. But I trust that, like the dots in Jobs’ life, they will eventually connect to create something meaningful.

This, I believe, is the power of following your passions. It’s not about knowing exactly how everything will unfold—it’s about trusting that the journey, however winding it may seem, will ultimately lead to a place of fulfillment and purpose. So, what are the dots in your life that are waiting to connect? What skills or experiences might be shaping your future, even if they seem unrelated today?

The Universal Lesson: Embrace the Chaos

The lesson from Steve Jobs and The Swedish Maker is clear: life is often messy and unpredictable, and the paths we take aren’t always linear. But it’s precisely in that chaos that something beautiful can emerge. Embrace the uncertainty, trust in the process, and understand that the seemingly disconnected parts of your life will eventually come together to create something powerful.

What Jobs and The Swedish Maker teach us is that following our passions—whether they seem practical or impractical—allows us to build a toolkit of skills that later converge in surprising ways. As The Swedish Maker learned, everything from Photoshop and video editing to woodworking and leathercraft built the foundation for his creative career. His journey was filled with failures, mistakes, and moments of doubt, but each of those experiences gave him the insight and skills to create something truly unique.

At times, it might feel like you’re moving from one passion to the next without a clear destination in mind. Maybe you’re juggling multiple interests, unsure of how they’ll fit together or where they’ll lead. But here’s the thing: just like Jobs’ calligraphy class, those “random” skills are never wasted. In fact, they often come together in ways you never expected.

Consider how many of us—myself included—have felt the pressure to focus on one thing, to pick a single path and stick to it. It can feel like we’re forced to let go of our other passions in order to be successful. But the truth is, success often comes from the freedom to explore different interests, to dive into new things without knowing exactly where they will lead.

The Swedish Maker shows us that sometimes, what you need most isn’t a clear path but the willingness to try, to fail, and to keep moving forward despite the setbacks. Through trial and error, his various skills and passions converged into a business he loved, one that combined creativity, problem-solving, and storytelling.

In the same way, I’ve learned that pursuing what excites me—whether it’s woodworking, photography, or tech—has allowed me to shape my work and my brand in ways that feel deeply authentic. Even when the journey has been unpredictable, I’ve found that the dots do connect in unexpected and meaningful ways.

So, if you’re feeling like your passions are scattered or your interests don’t “fit” into one neat category, take a moment to step back. Trust that the things you’re learning today, even if they seem disconnected, are part of a bigger picture. And just like Jobs and The Swedish Maker, you’ll find that those dots will connect when the time is right, leading you to something far more fulfilling than you might have imagined.

The key is to keep moving, keep exploring, and above all, keep trusting the process. The dots are already there, waiting to be connected, leading you to places you might not yet imagine. And when they do, you’ll understand the power of following your passions and embracing the chaos that ultimately shapes your path.

Encouragement to the Reader

So, what about you? What are the dots in your life that you might be overlooking? What skills or passions have you tucked away because they didn’t seem to fit into your current life or career? Maybe you’ve always been drawn to something—whether it’s a hobby, a creative pursuit, or a subject you find fascinating—but you’ve convinced yourself it’s impractical, unworthy of your time. Or maybe you’ve let the pressures of life convince you that it’s easier to let those passions fade into the background.

But here’s the thing: you don’t need to have it all figured out right now. In fact, you don’t need to make sense of everything immediately. Take a page out of Steve Jobs’ story or The Swedish Maker’s journey and remember that it’s only by connecting the dots looking back that you can see how they fit together.

Ask yourself:

• What skills have I developed over the years that I’ve never fully appreciated?
• What interests, no matter how seemingly unrelated, keep pulling me in?
• Where have I seen unexpected connections between my passions that I haven’t explored yet?

Whether it’s a technical skill, a creative hobby, or even an interest you’ve abandoned, these dots have the potential to shape your future. The key is to embrace the process of exploring, experimenting, and learning without the pressure to have everything neatly figured out.

Take inspiration from Jobs, The Swedish Maker, or anyone who’s ever followed a winding path and ended up exactly where they needed to be. The beauty of life is in the journey—every step, every mistake, every new skill learned can contribute to your own unique story. So, why not take a chance? Follow your curiosity, dive into something new, and trust that the dots will connect when the time is right.

I’d love to hear your story. What passions or skills have shaped your journey, even if they didn’t seem connected at first? Share your thoughts on social media. Let’s keep the conversation going and inspire one another to trust the process. Because you never know—the dots you’re connecting today might just lead to something amazing tomorrow.

A Closing Reflection: Trust the Process

As we wrap up this exploration of connections, it’s important to return to one of Steve Jobs’ most enduring pieces of wisdom: “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.”

When we’re in the midst of it—juggling passions, learning new skills, or simply trying to figure out what’s next—it can feel like we’re meandering without purpose. But looking back, we can often see how every experience, every failure, every random pursuit, has added value to our journey.

It’s easy to get caught up in the pressure of having a clear path or perfect plan. Society often pushes us to specialize, to pick one thing and stick with it. But if we take a step back, we realize that the richness of our experiences—the very things we think are unrelated—are often the building blocks of something far more powerful and unique.

So, as you look ahead, don’t worry if you don’t have it all figured out. Embrace the journey. Trust that the dots will connect when the time is right. Every skill you acquire, every passion you explore, and every moment you spend learning is a step closer to your true purpose. And like Steve Jobs and The Swedish Maker, one day you’ll look back and marvel at how everything—however random it seemed—came together to create something extraordinary.

Until then, keep exploring, keep connecting, and above all, keep trusting in yourself and the process. The dots are already there, waiting to be connected, leading you to places you might not yet imagine. And when they do, you’ll understand the power of following your passions and embracing the chaos that ultimately shapes your path.

PBS, with its lineup of thoughtful, educational programming, became my after-school companion. Shows like The Woodwright’s Shop and This Old House didn’t just teach practical skills; they showcased the artistry and craftsmanship behind the everyday things we often take for granted. The gentle rhythm of these programs sparked my lifelong interest in creating things with my hands—whether in the kitchen, the workshop, or even through software development.

But it wasn’t just PBS that captivated me. National broadcast TV offered its own gems, from Saturday morning specials to shows that explored art, culture, and the mysteries of nature. Each program seemed to say, “The world is vast and full of things to discover.”

Fast forward to today, and the screens I engage with have changed, but the thirst for knowledge hasn’t. Instead of waiting for scheduled programming, I now turn to YouTube, where an endless array of topics is just a search bar away. Whether it’s science channels breaking down quantum physics, creators deep-diving into history, or practical how-to videos for mastering new skills, YouTube offers a level of accessibility and depth that younger me could only dream about.

The connection between those formative TV years and my current YouTube habits feels seamless. Shows like Connections laid the groundwork for the way I love to explore ideas today—seeing how seemingly unrelated concepts are intricately tied together. Watching This Old House likely planted the seed for my DIY projects and interest in woodworking. Even Newton’s Apple might explain why I still find joy in the “Aha!” moments that science YouTubers create so well.

What’s remarkable is how the spirit of curiosity has stayed the same while the medium has evolved. Instead of being a passive viewer, YouTube allows me to engage more actively with content. I can pause, rewind, comment, and even follow up with creators directly. The accessibility of this medium has also broadened my horizons; I can explore niche topics and discover creators with expertise I would never have encountered on traditional TV.

In many ways, YouTube is today’s PBS, offering free educational content for anyone with an internet connection. But it’s also more. It’s a space where creators—amateurs and professionals alike—experiment with storytelling, connect with global audiences, and inspire viewers to take on their own projects or explore new fields of interest.

Looking back, I realize how much those childhood hours in front of the TV shaped who I am today. They instilled a curiosity that continues to drive me, whether I’m tackling a DIY project, experimenting in the kitchen, or diving into a new coding challenge. And while the tools have changed—from rabbit ears and channel knobs to streaming apps and YouTube subscriptions—the purpose remains the same: to learn, grow, and marvel at the world’s endless possibilities.

What about you? What were your favorite shows growing up, and how have they shaped the way you learn and explore the world today? Let me know by sharing on X (Twitter) or Instagram —I’d love to hear your story.

Most places mark that with a plaque and a sheet cake.

They tried to break a Guinness World Record instead.

A thousand people, one book each, five metres

The plan was simple enough to explain in a sentence. Get more than a thousand people to the Saratoga Library on a Saturday morning, put a book on each of their heads, and have all of them walk five metres at the same time.

Anyone can balance a book on their head. A four year old can do it. That is the whole appeal of a record like this one, and it is also the trap.

The Guinness record for the most people balancing books on their heads at once stood at 998. Danielle Di-Masi set it in North Sydney in November 2012.

So the challenge was never the book. It was finding nine hundred and ninety-nine people who would show up in one parking lot, on one morning, and all do the same easy thing in the same thirty seconds, while somebody counted.

609 walked.

What a record attempt actually looks like

It looks like a crowd that mostly doesn’t know what to do with itself.

People arrive early. People arrive late. Families spread out on the grass. Kids test their book on the walk over and drop it four times. Batman was there. So was S.J. Sharkie, in from the San Jose Sharks, which is its own kind of Bay Area logic.

Then somebody with a megaphone starts organizing several hundred strangers into something countable, and you understand what the record is really measuring.

Not balance. Attendance.

I was in the middle of it with a hardback on my head, which is the correct way to see one of these.

Shot on an app that was eleven days old

Instagram released Hyperlapse on August 26, 2014. The walk was September 6.

So I filmed it on an iPhone running an app that had been on the store for less than two weeks, and I did the whole thing as a time lapse because two minutes felt like the honest length for a morning that was mostly waiting. I cut it in Final Cut Pro X afterward.

The speed is doing real work here. At normal speed it’s a few hundred people standing around in a parking lot. Sped up, you can see the shape of it. The milling, the slow gathering into a line, the moment the whole crowd moves at once and then immediately stops being a crowd again.

That last part is only about four seconds long. It’s the part everyone came for.

The number they got

The record stayed in North Sydney.

But 609 people gave up part of a Saturday to walk five metres with a book on their head, because a library system was a hundred years old and asked them to.

For a birthday party, 609 is a good turnout. It just isn’t a world record.