This is the first I'm hearing an aeropress 30 second plunge time, what's that about?

There are many different ways to use the Aeropress. I'd assume that the recipe the author is following simply asks for a 30 second steep time.

I personally found that the time actually doesn't matter that much, you control extraction by grind size, water temperature and agitation. It might be that if you grind too fine you can still reduce extraction by cutting the time short, but that seems rather inconvenient for this method.

I usually let it steep for 5 minutes, but the exact time doesn't change much. Shorter times aren't that desirable for me anyway as the coffee is still too hot then as I start with boiling water.

Its just how long you are meant to let the coffee brew. Try if you make tea you need to let bag steep for a minute or 2. But actually timing it???? Useful if you are a goldfish may be but otherwise i dont understand who can’t remember to do something in 30 seconds.

Fwiw i oftrn let me aeropress brew for a few minutes. 30 secs is hella short.