‘Most Boring Video’ Puts People to Sleep
An informative video from 35 years ago is now being used in a very different way. Millions of people are watching the video specifically to help them fall asleep.A video nicknamed “the most boring video of all time” recently went viral on YouTube. The two-hour-long video was originally recorded by Randy Smith in 1989. Smith was working for a marketing company in Florida at the time, and the video was meant to be a tutorial for an early version of Microsoft Word. In the video, Smith sits at a desk and carefully explains how to format, print, and save documents using the computer program.However, people watching the tutorial today are not doing so to learn about Microsoft Word. Thousands of comments under the video show how helpful it has been for people who have trouble falling asleep.Smith’s low and soft-spoken voice, paired with the video’s rather mundane topic, has helped lull people right to sleep. It is being used to stimulate ASMR,* which stands for autonomous sensory meridian response. This feeling can be triggered by whispering, tapping, or crinkling noises. The result can help people to relax, reduce stress, and even drift to sleep.Smith’s video is not the only one from the 1980s to gain popularity among tired individuals today. Painter Bob Ross’s videos have also become a staple in the ASMR community. The faint scratching noises from Ross’s paintbrushes can cause people to feel tingles down their spines. People turn on his videos when they want to decrease anxiety and relax before bed.Therefore, if you are having trouble sleeping and can’t find a solution, consider watching either Smith’s or Ross’s videos. You will probably be dreaming long before you make it to the end.
Questions:
1. Why are people watching Randy Smith's video from 1989?
2. What was the original purpose of Randy Smith's video?
3. What is ASMR, and how does it help people?
4. Besides Randy Smith's video, what other videos from the 1980s are popular for relaxation?
5. Have you ever watched a video or listened to something to help you relax or fall asleep?
What was it like? How do you think soft-spoken voices or quiet sounds can help someone feel more relaxed?
