Dreams, imitation and copy-catting

Not that long ago, Hilde Baci successfully attempted to break the world record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual, and in doing so set her own record. She rightfully enjoyed the support of not just her team but large swathes of the Naija population. Politicians and celebrities, ordinary men and women were vocal […]

Not that long ago, Hilde Baci successfully attempted to break the world record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual, and in doing so set her own record. She rightfully enjoyed the support of not just her team but large swathes of the Naija population. Politicians and celebrities, ordinary men and women were vocal and present in their support of her. They kept vigil, cheering her on as she cooked. When she surpassed the record held by India’s Lata Tondon, the joy wasn’t hers alone. 

Officials of Guinness World Records take their time in reviewing evidence before verifying a record (unless you pay for a priority evidence review), and so Baci is still to be officially crowned. However, that hasn’t stopped would-be challengers- including another young woman, Damilola Adeparusi, aka Chef Dammy – from trying to break Baci’s record already.

There’s nothing vicious or evil in wanting/trying to break a record. They say imitation is the best form of flattery. Even Hilda Baci herself posted a tweet in praise of Chef Dammy’s “boldness,” asking her to “(e)mbrace the journey…and inspire others with your unwavering spirit.” 

Everyone has a right to dream, records are meant to be broken and so on and so forth, so what Adeparusi is doing isn’t wrong. But is it right? And by being ‘right’, I don’t mean ethically or morally right, but is it right for her? Perhaps, what I mean to ask is:  is this her dream? Or is it a copy-copy dream? And this question isn’t for Ms Adeparusi alone but for all those who started cooking marathons in the days after Ms Baci’s win.

 On the Guinness World Records site, we are reminded that “To become a record-holder requires determination, extraordinary skills and commitment. Before applying for an existing record, check the current information and make sure you’ve got what it takes to break the record.”

Ms Baci told reporters at the end of her cookathon that she prepared for five years for the challenge. This means that she started preparing in 2018, the year US’s Rickey  Lumpkin became the record holder. She was still preparing, presumably to break that record when India’s Tondon broke it in 2019, cooking for 87 hours and 45 minutes, a month after a Kenyan chef, Maliha Islam Mohammed, claimed to have broken it (she cooked for 75 hours but her record was never certified).

Like Baci, Tondon also spoke of rigorously preparing for the challenge ahead of attempting to break it, including doing a year of gym training and regular exercise.

I am not saying Chef Dammy and the others haven’t prepared mentally, physically, emotionally and every other necessary way. I don’t know any of them.  I am not privy to how well and how long they have spent getting ready, but since when have they had this dream of becoming record holders for the longest cooking marathon by an individual? How long ago did they apply to GWR? While one can pay for an expedited application process (priority applications are charged a fee of £500 GBP/$800 USD (plus VAT), the normal process takes between 12 and 16 weeks. I don’t want to speculate, but has any of their applications even gone through? 

There is nothing wrong with being inspired by someone else’s win to try your luck. After all, it is in seeing how others have succeeded that we are reminded (or even become aware) of what is possible.

However, in the words of that ubiquitous quote attributed (with no verification) to Oscar Wilde, “be yourself, everyone else is taken,” one mustn’t conflate imitation with aping. The latter is gratuitous copying, not fuelled by your own ambitions/passion. Naturally, people who ape are fickle, copying every dream that seems to be working out for others without really finding (and pursuing) their own dream.

Whatever dream you’re inspired to pursue, make sure it’s yours. Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery but copy-catting is the quickest way to lose yourself. Worse, copy-catting blinds you to who you are. It keeps you from knowing what you want, and therefore from pursuing your own goals. It keeps you from seeing what opportunities there are for you.

Take this cooking marathon for instance. While everyone and their mother is focused on breaking the cookathon record, there are many other records up for grabs.  Guinness World Records lets you suggest new ones sef. And per their website, they are always “looking for new exciting ideas to reflect the world’s diversity.”

 With ‘diversity’ being the operative word for me,  I have a few ideas just off the top of my head: longest gele tying marathon; fastest hair braider; longest church service. There are plenty more records to be set and broken.

May our dreams find us alert and prepared, not lost in someone else’s dream.