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Some Thoughts on Dirt and Garbage
North Miami Beach, Florida July 22, 2000 Aaron H. Schectman
THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on issues, ideas and reflections on the times. Published now and
then. Opinions pro or con are welcome.
SOME THOUGHTS ON DIRT AND GARBAGE
I was instantly intrigued by two reports in the newspaper. One was the loss
of human life when a mountain of garbage collapsed in far off Manila
swallowing a number of residents on that mountain. The other was about our
obsession with cleanliness or, germlessness, preventing us from enjoying
better lives.
In many places around this country you see artificial mountains rising from
flatlands. These are the locations we choose to dump our garbage and they
grow to impressive size dwarfing tall apartment buildings. We "manage" our
garbage by providing vents (missing in Manila) to allow gasses to escape and
let the whole mess sink gradually before compacting. We prettify some with
grass and trees. Some are planned as recreation areas. We know that if
compacted, cubes of garbage may be dumped into the edges of the ocean and
our living space can thus be extended.
The thought of people living among heaps of putrid garbage to earn a living
from bits and pieces of retrievable food or solids leaves a dirty taste in
my mouth. As humans we have yet to learn how to live in harmony with a
nature that provides for producers of waste to manage that waste in a
sensible way. Sewage spills into our swimming areas and toxic wastes under
our living areas are signs we haven't learned much.
We are obsessed with making our little world germ free and this is
frightening. Remember the old saying that we will eat a peck of dirt before
we die? No one was ever scared by this because it seemed so sensible. We
pull our vegetables out of the earth and are bound to eat a little dirt with
the celery and carrots on our plate. Those who like their vegetables really
fresh eat their portion earlier and more quickly. Ever see a little kid
happily consuming the mud pies he or she created? At one time no one seemed
overly concerned. Now, the obsession is to create a germ-free environment
for our toddlers to grow up in. Certain immunities are lost.
Some live intimately with garbage but others are overly involved in a war
against infection by germs. What do you think?
Carol's Evaluation: 9 out of 10.
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