Saturday, May 12, 2012

Get Grubby


The dangers of purity are both physical and psychological.  Although we think we value being clean, a more subtle medical or moral rational shows that filth, or at least a little down-to-earth grubbiness, is frequently preferable.

From a physical perspective, it has been in the news for years now that super-clean households have higher instances of asthma than dirtier (especially farm) homes.  Exposure to bacteria and allergens early in life develops the immune system.

From a psychological perspective, the urge for cleanliness can easily and quickly lead to the cleaner-(holier)-than-thou attitude that allows us to dehumanize people who look different or are from a lower social class.  It is our aversion to dirt and disease that makes some of us shudder to share the same public spaces as homosexuals, untouchables, minorities, homeless, and foreigners.  A refined sense of cleanliness caries with it a narrow sense of what is acceptable.... which, from my narrow point of view, is dirty.

So, get dirty.  It's good for you and could be fun.

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