yes, it is Valentine's Day, but this post isn't going to be very Valentine-y. but i had a thought the other day. (hey, they don't happen very often, i have to blog about them when i get the chance!)
what makes something smell bad? i'm not taking about what gives something an odor...but what makes us think it smells bad?? is it simply that our brains have been trained to think certain things smell bad? is it simply our interpretation? or is it fully explained by a natural reaction of our smell receptor's to our brain? is there such thing as an odor that actually smells bad...or are there just odor's that we think smell bad? i would almost say it is just all in our heads. but i tend to think this way a lot. because if something is "all in your head" that gives you the ability to control how you react. however, if there is actual, biological, chemical explanation for everything...then that means you WILL react/respond a particular way without choice. i like to think i always have control :) so if i tell myself something does not smell bad, can it actually not smell bad to me? some things it seems are personal opinion- some people like the smell of gasoline. some do not. pretty much everyone agrees that flowers smell good. pretty much everyone agrees that farts, and sewers, and decaying bodies smell bad. (sorry, i got carried away w/ the bad smells) so why is it we all think farts smell bad? what is it about certain odors that tells our brain it smells bad?? i think i'm repeating myself now. and i think you at least understand the point i'm trying to get at. well, i guess there's not really a point. just random thoughts. can you help me? do you have any medical, scientific answers? if not, more random thoughts are welcome.
thanks to my roommate for helping with the big words and sentence's.
10 comments:
i think it's part both. ever walked into a room that stinks and as you walk in you can't stand the smell but people who have been in there for a long time can't smell it?
random thoughts, huh?
if the plural of goose is geese why isn't the plural of moose meese??
why does "Fun Dip" have 3 different dip flavors and only 2 stix?
i like that second one, elias. and i like fun dip.
what about smokers? they don't smell the funk that is coming forth. . .
here's my confession: i like the smell of skunks.
good point about being in a room that doesn't smell pleasant and getting used to the smell. so does this all prove my theory that it's "all in your head"?
that has always bothered me about fun dip. because you have to make sure your two sticks last you for all three flavors! it's not always easy.
that is SO funny that you mention skunks, angela!! when elias was driving home last night, he sent me a text saying "and skunks!" implying that everyone thinks they smell bad too. so i replied saying that i like the smell of skunks. i, however, was only joking.
"My Nose, My Brain, My Faith"
ps - is it weird that i like the smell of my own farts?
Did staying at my house have anything to do with this blog??? Be honest!
hummm...good article. interesting. maybe i should become a neuroscientist and do my own study on the subject.
p.s. maybe slightly weird. i will say that i don't mind my own as much as other ppl's. but i'm not going to get that smell as an airfreshener or anything...
haha, Christy. nope, don't worry. staying at your house did not trigger my thoughts on smell. :)
Ok, I have to confess I have a hiper sensitive smeller!Yet suprisingly my nose is small. Ha! I crack myself up sometimes. Anyway....bad breath really makes me cringe to the point I can't hide it when dealing with someone who has bad breath. I almost always have gum in my mouth because I don't want to be accused of bad breath.
And I am probably the only person here on earth who does not like the smell of a lot of flowers. Sad, but true!
and another fun fact I don't mind skunks.
And the experts at my house (3 girls) say if you have no more stick and still have dip, use your finger. Of course full warning your finger will turn colors. LOL
OK Meg, this Valentine smell post has me thinking- three things:
1. Don't you think God uses "bad" smells to keep us away from "bad" things- things that can harm us. Why is our nose located over our mouth? We can smell what we consume first- keep us safe. Why do some of us eat stinky brussel sprouts and broccoli? Don't have the answer.
2. HUMILITY- I know it's strange, but it humbles me to think how closely related to animals we are- I mean we fill up with waste, must excrete it, AND often emit putrid gaseous odors (YOU started this Megan) YET
3. God chose to take us and create man in HIS image and He chose to adopt some to be His children. Romans 9- what a beautiful and gracious thing- stinky me- a child of the King :)
Finally, I wrote to say have a fabulous time loving on the children in Haiti. Call me when you return! God bless.
I've always felt the same way about words. Why are some words "bad?" What makes a bad word? How/why have bad words/slang changed over the years? How come there are different "bad words" in the US as there are in say Britian or Ireland? Who gets to decide what makes a word bad? So many questions...
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