Lee Redmond, the woman who is listed in the Guinness book of world records for the world’s longest fingernails has lost them in a car crash. Now, there are several directions this post could take. For example, I might wonder why someone would not cut their fingernails for 29 years, letting them grow to up to 89 cm. But sometimes one just has to accept misfiring neurons as a driver of human behaviour. Another obvious angle is why anyone would consider this newsworthy enough to publish, but come on, it’s the BBC. My particular interest in this story is the Guinness world record.
Why, is really the thing that comes to my mind when I hear about some or other world record. Why would anyone bother wasting their time in such a way? Why would anyone be interested in reading about this? Why would you tell me about it? Why would anyone participate in the ‘worlds largest three-legged race (most pairs)’ (and what other ways are there to have the largest three-legged race? most legs?), cook the world’s largest cabbage dish or bake the world largest cheesecake? And just think about the people with unsuccessful record attempts. Baking the world’s largest cheesecake is a phenomenal waste of time, but nothing like failing to bake the world’s largest cheesecake.
Oh, and don’t worry about Ms Redmond. According to the report, she is expected to make a full recovery. Phew. Though I am afraid they may mean it to be a full recovery to her old, non-nail-clipping self.
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