Toilets aren't "aspirational or charismatic," potty expert says

[marmar]

Reuters, via Yahoo!:



Make toilets cool to fix sanitation woes, expert says
By Rina Chandran


MUMBAI (Reuters) – Jack Sim, founder of the World Toilet Organization, has a theory about why governments and people are so reluctant to talk about hygiene: it isn't cool.

"People demand a TV, not a toilet, because it is not aspirational or charismatic," said Sim, who does not hesitate to talk in graphic detail about the dangers of poor sanitation.

"Governments and people are not very receptive to being told they're dirty, that they need more toilets," said Sim on a visit to Mumbai, where more than half its 18 million residents live in slums and where the average ratio of people to toilets is 81:1.

In Mumbai, where teeming slums sit cheek by jowl with gleaming office blocks and luxury apartments, sanitation is not just a poor person's problem, said Sim, a native of Singapore.

"You are in such close proximity to slums, to people defecating and peeing in the open, that basically, you are walking in someone's poo," Sim said. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091117/od_nm/us_india_toilets

[Vinnie From Indy]

1. The other end of the spectruum are the Japanese

The Japanese are by far the world leaders in toilet technology.

The writer has point. The willingness to discuss hygiene should be something the world embraces.

[marmar]

3. Oh, I agree......the line about "aspirational" just cracked me up.....

nt

[WeDidIt]

Tommy the Toilet Says: Don't forget to wipe your ass folks

It's good clean fun!
It's hygenic!
It's considerate of others!

[vadawg]

2. hell my outhouse with a screen door and flatscreen will be totally inspirational when i finally

complete it, it will probuably be my favourite part of my property...

[msongs]

4. free pregnancy prevention and condoms on request,,,and toilets too nt

[niceypoo]

5. ...unless you happen to be Joe Lieberman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8eUcsso9dg">Joe Lieberman multitasking

[Initech]

6. There's a World Toilet Organization?

:wtf:

[niceypoo]

7. WTO

[Liberal_in_LA]

8. On the same page...this link where a patient cop lets a kitty climb all over him!

So cute!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091117/ap_on_fe_st/us_odd_video_cop_cat_2

[csziggy]

9. The people on the home building forum on GardenWeb sure think toilets are cool

Especially Toto and some of the other "high tech" toilets. They are pretty fanatical about their toilets over there as well as snobbish - if you don't spend over $500 on a fancy toilet, you are not "in".

[Historic NY]

10. Really No sh-t.

[Vinnie From Indy]

11. lol!

quick, funny and on point! The elements of comedy! Cheers!