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Abstract Preparations for experimental work must be conducted without interruption to ensure experimental success In this work, the impact of a spontaneous intervention is observed on the pouring of agar media for petri dishes Andrew, a technician, gives a book to G during the preparation of microbiological nutrients The subsequent disruption of the protocol is recorded and measured In this study, the disrupting vehicle is a photography album containing pictures that the subject supposes to be herself The source and nature of the pictures is considered, and a relationship between the observation of the photographs and the connection to human memory is postulated Introduction Performing microbiology experiments with aseptic technique is a standard part of good laboratory procedure Prior to culturing bacteria, a mixture of nutrients and agar is heated above 100°C in an autoclave to sterilise, and then allowed to cool The mixture cools and begins to solidify below 42°C,enabling the scientist to pour the media mixture into petri dishes, where the media sets to form a solid material (Miller et al, 1987) Executing this protocol swiftly, and using a flame to maintain a sterile working environment prevents contamination occurring G is a postdoctoral scientist studying a type of bacterium which makes pigments She has been practising aseptic technique for some time Her procedure of preparing petri dishes has historical links (cf Bertani, 2004) and other scientists such as Koch, MacConkey and Churchman who have developed recipes for microbial culture   Supporting scientific research with technical support is key to long term continuity and maintenance of equipment Andrew is a laboratory technician who works on gas chromatography Like many university employees of his grade, he is on a temporary contract His role does not require close contact with G and in this respect she regards him as an acquaintance They share adjacent laboratory spaces, in a basement building which has been constructed to maximise the working area at a crowded urban campus   Materials and Methods Characters: G, a postdoctoral researcher,