FLATULENCE
Contrary to popular belief, flatulence does not cause disfigurement, organ malfunction, or other infirmities. Some of us live in households where these beliefs prevail. This circumstance is not only annoying, but totally without justification which alone makes it annoying. The question is how can one, one who contributes to the household flatulence, avoid the complaints and illogical reactions of household members who hold these popular, unfounded, and unscientific beliefs.
There are currently several popular methods in use to combat flatulence. One is incense. I find the use of incense disturbing. It puts into the air substances that can not possibly be good for the lungs. These proponents of incense commonly are the same opponents of anything resembling cigarette smoke. Second hand smoke is, by current standards, harmful to one's health. It apparently can damage a person's lungs. The effect of cigarette smoke, now forbidden in most middle and working class households on up the social ladder, is deemed not only harmful but deleterious to one's social activities. For instance, the circumstance of one not being able to enjoy a smoke while at the local pub imbibing one's favorite drink seems unnecessary and really over the top.
But not with incense. Incense smells good, hence it must be good for you. Not so. A second alleviation of the harmful effects of flatulence is the fresh air vent. This device may be used with or without the accompaniment of incense depending on the household view of the dangers of flatulence. The more fear, the more devices are employed to defeat its essence.
The use of incense does not dispel the dangers of disfigurement, organ failure, or other infirmities; it merely camouflages it. One is not avoiding these imminent dangers, but as with many things in our current living arrangements, merely masking it. With the vent, no imminent danger is involved, merely discomfort. Why, and I ask this seriously, why would one prefer cold air blowing on you while one does their business in a small, enclosed space. One can not even enjoy some solitude with a paper under such circumstances.
In conclusion, one must state unequivocally that this attitude toward flatulence is unwarranted, unnecessary, and annoying. Buck up folks. It will not kill you; it is a necessary biological process caused by other living organisms and will continue as long as there is life on the planet. I say "Get over it already!"
Richard E H Phelps II
Mingo
