In this captivating discussion, librarian Casey Koss shares his 15-year quest to unravel the mystery behind a quirky button promoting diarrhea-inducing chili cheese fries. He recounts his unique experience at the Busy Beaver Button Museum, where he dives into obscure sports history and the cultural significance of buttons. The dialogue blends humor and insight as Casey humorously tackles dead ends while preserving delightful yet overlooked narratives. Join him in celebrating the art of storytelling through these whimsical artifacts!
Casey's 15-year quest to uncover the origin of a humorous button highlights the importance of curiosity in exploring forgotten histories.
The surprise revelation from the button's creator underscores the playful nature of storytelling and how mundane objects can inspire wonder.
Deep dives
The Concept of Hyperfixed
Hyperfixed builds on the idea of providing solutions to a wide array of problems, whether trivial or complex, without limiting itself strictly to technology. The show invites listeners to submit any problem they face, encouraging engagement through questions and storytelling. Current and upcoming episodes explore quirky topics, such as the discrepancies in measurement systems and the peculiarities of grocery store design choices. By fostering this inclusive approach to problem-solving, the show aims to create a community where various curiosities can be discussed and explored.
Casey's Unusual Button Project
The episode revolves around a librarian named Casey, who becomes deeply enamored with a specific button featuring the phrase 'ask me about our new diarrhea-inducing chili cheese fries.' Casey's fascination stems from his love for obscure histories and research, which drove him to pursue this humorous yet perplexing topic. The button’s origin was shrouded in mystery, leading Casey down a rabbit hole of research that included examining newspaper archives and engaging with the local community in Custer City, Oklahoma. This pursuit reflects Casey's passion for uncovering lesser-known stories, showcasing how even mundane items can have intriguing backstories.
The Search for Answers
As Casey investigates the button, he encounters significant challenges, including the discovery that Custer City does not have a 35th Main Street and lacks any record of the restaurant mentioned on the button. His attempts to find information online yield no results, reflecting the often elusive nature of niche inquiries. Despite these setbacks, he remains determined to understand the context and creation of the button, treating the mystery as a personal quest. This narrative illustrates the broader theme of how curiosity can drive individuals to explore and uncover old tales and forgotten histories.
The Ultimate Reveal
The journey culminates in a surprise revelation from Nick Rowley, the creator of the button, who explains that it was designed as a playful experiment to evoke curiosity 25 years in the future. Nick's intention was not to advertise an actual restaurant but to inspire wonder about the stories behind everyday objects. The narrative ultimately highlights the importance of perspective and the thrill of storytelling, as Casey finds his name memorialized in the button's history on the Busy Beaver Button Museum website. This closure not only satisfies Casey's inquiry but also reinforces the whimsical spirit of the show, proving that every button can hold a rich story waiting to be discovered.
If you like this episode and want to hear more, please sign up for our premium feed here! https://hyperfixedpod.com/join If you would like to join at the $60 yearly level and receive your very own Big Chub Chet's button, you can do so here:https://hyperfixedpod.com/buttonThere are a limited number so get them before they're gone! Casey has been chasing the origin of a very specific piece of ephemera for almost 15 years. He came to us for help. LINKS:Busy Beaver Button MuseumThe Button in Question (Spoilers! don't look until the episode is done!)