In this week’s readings and discussions, we dove into the evolution of human waste, and how the connotations of shit changed through time. It is interesting to think about how something natural like human waste has been perceived in the modern day, especially since past perceptions of it have been relatively positive. In many cultures and past historical encounters, people have used natural bodily substances as remedies for disease or sickness. It was in the 19th century when the idea of shit became more negative and intertwined with sexuality, class, and gender. In 1810 the idea was promoted that shit and gas poisoned the human body. Others also related shit to the devil and it being evil. I think these ideologies have been internalized and normalized. They are reflected in the modern perspective of human shit. Its negative connotations are perpetuated in society through the domestication of pooping and the silencing of talking about shit with others. Having bathrooms in the home creates an idea that there should be privacy when using the restroom because the act is unpure, which is ironic because oftentimes waste can be beneficial for fertilization and crop growing. Such domestication suggests that shit has to be put in its place and also sets the standard for societal expectations. This connects to a topic mentioned in previous weeks about cleanliness. The main takeaway from these readings is that societal norms have been shaped by strong historical opinions. In today’s world what we accept are clean and aesthetic environments and we push away conversations of disorder and unsatisfactory things like shitting.