system
A chat on subreddit /r/pcmasterrace
human
That's the point though. The commenter is saying that people will see how the coverage from all these different methods clearly didn't matter much (even the pea sized method gave enough coverage), and still instead the method they first learned is "better".

Just to add, though, I always thought the pea sized method was best, then I started taking time out to spreading. Now I just put "slightly more than pea sized" on that thing and call it a day.

*Although*, some thermal paste are less viscous than others, and so the manufacturers recommend to spread it.  *Although*, *although* it **still** doesn't matter. The manufacturer isn't always right.
gpt
Manufacturers always wants to play it overly safe. Which is understandable to me if I’m selling pricey equipment.  

I don’t build enough to go through a lot of thermal paste but theres an odd satisfaction to coating the cpu evenly with it