A YouTube video dubbed “the most boring video of all time” has racked up more than three million views from a legion of fans hailing it as the best 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 alerted to the unexpected afterlife of his obsolete technology explainer video late last year 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 his audience’s sleeping habits.
“I have no idea why anyone who has no interest in Microsoft Word would see it, especially such an old version,” he told the Wall Street Journal.
The 1989 video begins with a pulsating ’80s electronic beat and a spinning floppy disk before showing Smith sitting at his desk in the dark.
For the next hour and 47 minutes, he introduces viewers to the latest version of Microsoft Word and explains how to save, edit, and print documents.
The old tutorial was uploaded 10 years ago by an influencer who titled it ‘the most boring video of all time’ but it has gained a legion of fans who have used it as a sleep remedy.
The video begins with a pulsating ’80s electronic beat and a spinning floppy disk before cutting to Smith sitting at his desk in the dark.
The lights turn on to reveal a huge cube-shaped monitor placed at one end as the presenter begins to speak.
“Hello and welcome to MacAcademy,” he tells viewers. “My name is Randy Smith and for the next few hours we will be talking about Microsoft Word and going over the basics of that program,” he promises.
After a brief digression into the difference between word processing and desktop publishing, he reveals the mysteries of formatting, storing, and printing documents.
But it has taught more people how to sleep than how to use Word, according to more than 10,000 comments posted since a fan uploaded the video a decade ago.
‘I can’t remember how many times this video has helped me sleep. Thank you very much for uploading it,” wrote one fan.
“I literally searched ‘most boring sleep video’ because it’s 5:18am and I have online class at 9am,” another wrote.
‘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 down and watch this video a couple of times,'” says another.
But Smith has also received praise for his impeccable acting and sly sense of humor.
But those who attended the show say those who stayed missed a masterpiece in the performance of a man who delivered the entire show without notes in one piece on camera.
‘Look how far we’ve come with technology, it’s crazy!’ wrote one. ‘Also, let’s take a moment and respect how this man sat down and explained everything, without cuts or edits!’
“When I was a teenager in 1989, I can assure you that our definition of boring was very different than today,” another added. “And I predict you’ll say ‘Google it’ to your grandchildren and they’ll laugh at you before you go talk to the droid.”
Smith is not the first tutor to have his works repurposed for insomniacs, and some point out that videos from famous art instructor Bob Ross have long been helping them quit.
And insomniacs have discovered sly, even alarming humor in the sharply dressed Smith, who at one point tells viewers that “there is no hope button, nor can you press command+m to achieve a miracle.”
While viewers left just before the hour mark may wake up with a start when Smith illustrates how to indent text using the example of an imaginary lease.
“I want you to keep your seedy dog off my new carpet,” she writes.
‘If you don’t, I’ll shoot you and your silly dog. Therefore, there!’
“I can’t decide if this is passive aggressive or dark humor or just what,” one viewer posted. “This cat is much more complex than we think.”
“The comedic timing of the whole ‘cut and paste’ anecdote is absolutely perfect,” 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 “ten steps to boost self-esteem.”
Smith is not the first tutor whose works have been repurposed for insomniacs, with some pointing out that videos by famed art instructor Bob Ross have long helped them quit.
“The subject matter is a little less boring this time, but Randy’s natural charisma and effective teaching are as good as ever,” James wrote.
‘And yes, this legend is my dad. He enjoys being a viral sensation and sent me these tapes to bring more joy to those who enjoyed the original video.
Influencer Whamtan titled Smith’s tutorial “the most boring video ever created” when he uploaded it to his YouTube channel in April 2014.
But even he has been convinced by the presenter’s professionalism and discreet charm.
“The topic may be boring, but Randy Smith is an absolute LEGEND,” he wrote.