FAQ

What is nowstartabeard.com?

nowstartabeard.com is an experiment in time-lapse photography to condense one year in my life into about 45 seconds. (See About for more information.)

Why are you doing this?

It seemed like a thing to do. Like a number of other “experiments" on the internet these days, like The $39 Dollar Experiment or How Much is Inside, this one is part amusement, part personal satisfaction, and part time killing.

How is the video made?

Basically I just take a shot of myself every day on a webcam and match it up with the previous day's shot. Before I intended to put it on the web, I didn't pay much attention to the shots syncing up, but when I noticed that the video would be kind of amusing, I steadied myself a bit. Each image lasts 0.125 seconds. The whole thing is set to a loop of royalty-free organ music.

I love the production values of this project!* (*Sarcasm) What equipment did you use?

To capture the images, I use a Logitech Communicate STX, arguably one of the best of the low-quality webcams. The video is compiled with Windows Movie Maker, using techniques that would have been considered unimpressive even in the silent movie era. Clearly, I have no photographic or cinematographic skills. Also, my web design skills are limited. I advise against looking at the source code.

What does “Now start a beard" mean?

It’s possible that it’s a play off of “now start a band," which comes from either the expression on a popular Paul Frank t-shirt or a celebrated poster during the early days of punk. In any event, I chose it because it has a nice ring to it.

Why did you shave the beard? It would have been more impressive to grow it for a full year.

Maybe, but there are some good reasons not to. First, it goes against the principle of the beard (see About), and second, the sad truth is that my facial hair grows woefully slow. Using scientific projections, here's how my beard would look after 358 days of continuous growth:

 

So you can see the problem. Furthermore, scientists suggest that the agony of watching that process over the course of a year would render even the most peaceful society rebellious and chaotic (see below).

I’m confused. What is the connection between growing a beard and this experiment?

Consider the beard as the starting point for the overall experiment. Other than that, there is no real connection.

Where are the nowstartabeard.com branded t-shirts, mugs, breakfast cereal, pregnancy tests, and beard trimmers?

Sorry, but I don’t have any merch to sell. If the whole thing becomes popular enough, maybe I’ll have some vinyl stickers made or something.

Right here, consumer friend! I totally sold out. Now you can buy NSAB t-shirts, hats, magnets, buttons, and whatnot. Keep waiting for those beard trimmers!

Your webpage sucks ass!

Not a question, but fair enough. If you are so infuriated with this project that you can’t contain yourself, feel free to send me an email. Of course, I also wouldn't mind hearing from you if you like or are indifferent to the project.