Think of multiple authors as the Avengers assembling. When Iron Man (first author) leads, you credit him, then Cap, then Thor—but if Hulk shows up, you just say “Stark et al.” and move on. It’s about efficiency, not snobbery.
In real life, this matters when you’re arguing about the best coffee shop with a group text. You wouldn’t list every friend; you’d say “the gang thinks Blue Bottle is overrated.” Same logic, just more academic chic.
