Florida retiree is stunned to learn dull video he recorded in the 80s is now being used by millions on YouTube to send them to sleep
A YouTube video dubbed the “boringest video of all time” has been viewed more than three million times by a legion of fans who consider it the ultimate sleep aid.
Ormond Beach retiree Randy Smith was working for Florida Marketing International when he recorded the two-hour tutorial on an early version of Microsoft Word in 1989.
The soft-spoken salesman was warned late last year about the unexpected afterlife of his video explanation of the outdated technology when he received a text from a stranger thanking him for putting her to sleep.
But he remains modest about the success of his most popular work and its impact on the sleeping habits of his audience.
“Why anyone who has no interest in Microsoft Word would look at it, especially such an old version, I have no idea,” he told the newspaper. Wall Street Journal.
The 1989 video opens with a pulsating ’80s electro beat and a spinning floppy disk before cutting to Smith sitting at his desk in semi-darkness.
Over the next hour and 47 minutes, he introduces viewers to the latest version of Microsoft Word and how to save, edit and print documents
The age-old tutorial was uploaded 10 years ago by an influencer who called it “the most boring video of all time,” but it has won a legion of fans who have used it as a sleep aid
The video opens with a pulsating ’80s electro beat and a spinning floppy disk, before cutting to Smith sitting at his desk in the semi-darkness.
The lights come on, revealing a huge cube-shaped monitor at one end as the host begins to speak.
“Hello and welcome to MacAcademy,” he tells viewers. “My name is Randy Smith and over the next few hours we’re going to discuss Microsoft Word, we’re going to discuss the basics of that program,” he promises.
After a brief discussion of the difference between word processing and desktop publishing, he explains the mysteries of formatting, saving and printing documents.
But he’s taught more people how to sleep than how to use Word, according to more than 10,000 comments posted since the video was uploaded by a fan a decade ago.
‘I can’t remember how many times this video has helped me fall asleep. Thank you so much for uploading,” one fan wrote.
“I literally looked up ‘the most boring video to sleep in’ because it’s 5:18am and I have an online class at 9am,” wrote another.
“If you’re up for a real challenge, watch this at 0.25x speed!” suggests another.
“At the end he says, ‘And the best way to learn this is to just sit back and watch this video a few times,’” another notes.
But Smith has also won praise for his impeccable delivery and sly sense of humor
But those who attended the program say those who lost weight missed a masterpiece of presentation from a man who delivered the entire program in one piece on camera without notes.
“Look how far we’ve come with technology, it’s insane!” wrote one. “Let’s also take a moment and respect how this man sat down and explained the whole thing, without any cuts or edits!”
“As a teenager in 1989, I can assure you that our definition of boring was very different than it is today,” another added. “And I predict you’ll say to your grandkids, ‘Google it,’ and they’ll laugh at you before they talk to the droid.”
Smith isn’t the first teacher to have his work repurposed for insomniacs, with some pointing out that videos from famed art instructor Bob Ross have long helped them lose weight.
And insomniacs have found a sly and even alarming humor in the smartly dressed Smith, who at one point tells viewers that “there is no hope button, nor can you press command+m for a miracle.”
While viewers who tune out just before the hour mark can get a wake-up call as Smith illustrates how to indent text using the example of an imaginary rental agreement.
“I want you to keep your filthy dog off my brand new carpet,” he types.
“If you don’t, I’ll shoot both you and your stupid dog. So there!’
“I can’t decide if this is passive-aggressive or dark humor or what,” said one viewer. ‘This cat is much more complex than we realize.’
“The comedic timing of the whole cut-and-paste anecdote is absolutely impeccable,” wrote another. “And then they gave us a bottle of pasta…which we ate.”
YouTuber Jesy James posted a follow-up to the video in November, in which Smith offers “10 steps to boost self-esteem.”
Smith isn’t the first teacher to have his works repurposed for insomniacs, with some pointing out that videos from famed art instructor Bob Ross have long helped them lose weight
“The subject matter is a little less dry this time, but Randy’s natural charisma and effective teaching are as wonderful as ever,” James wrote.
‘And yes, this legend is my father. He gets a kick out of being a viral sensation and sent me these tapes to bring more joy to those who enjoyed the original video.”
Influencer Whamtan called Smith’s tutorial “the most boring video ever made” when he uploaded it to his YouTube channel in April 2014.
But even he is convinced by the professionalism and quiet charm of the presenter.
“The subject may be dry, but Randy Smith is an absolute LEGEND,” he wrote.