Deodorant was first marketed to immigrants and that’s how it took hold. People mildly-to-seriously stank for all of human history and it just was, perfumes have always been a market too. But then someone was like “but what if we made these folks feel even more ostracized to sell them a solution”
And this began the “your body is fucking disgusting” cycle that now encourages us to literally coat ourselves head-to-toe in (eczema to cancer causing) chemical deodorants. Great.
Okay but like, the human body does in fact suck in many ways, one of those being that we’re naturally filthy as fuck.
It’s worth noting that the above is, of course, an opinion. I find human stench repulsive. Many do. Some don’t. But regardless, I don’t think less of a person or culture for not using or having access to the typical hot water + exfoliating + soap + deodorant + scent + moisturizer method that western culture holds so dear. I couldn’t do without it. And yes I’m slightly grossed out as a natural reaction when people don’t use it. But I don’t think "that uncultured savage pig doesn’t bathe* in that situation, that would just be horrible. Unfortunately many do think that way, and I agree that that kind of hostile, accusatory thinking is likely partially due to western marketing.
I personally am a transhumanist in philosophy. I think that if we can make a way to make the human body some radiant vessel that would have been worshipped as a goddess across most of human history, that such an endeavor is worth while. But many look down on others when such standards become normalized. That is the key difference: another main tenant of transhuman philosophy is the idea of bodily autonomy. You inhabit the vessel you want, whether bathed or not.
And I agree that marketing has, in fact, been instrumental in pushing that “your body is fucking disgusting” idea onto others so heavily. Capitalism capitalizes best on making people feel lower or less important without a product.
Deodorant and I have never really spent much time together - perhaps because I live in a mild climate and don’t do much sports - but god damn do I love a hot shower.
Deodorant was first marketed to immigrants and that’s how it took hold. People mildly-to-seriously stank for all of human history and it just was, perfumes have always been a market too. But then someone was like “but what if we made these folks feel even more ostracized to sell them a solution”
And this began the “your body is fucking disgusting” cycle that now encourages us to literally coat ourselves head-to-toe in (eczema to cancer causing) chemical deodorants. Great.
Okay but like, the human body does in fact suck in many ways, one of those being that we’re naturally filthy as fuck.
It’s worth noting that the above is, of course, an opinion. I find human stench repulsive. Many do. Some don’t. But regardless, I don’t think less of a person or culture for not using or having access to the typical hot water + exfoliating + soap + deodorant + scent + moisturizer method that western culture holds so dear. I couldn’t do without it. And yes I’m slightly grossed out as a natural reaction when people don’t use it. But I don’t think "that uncultured savage pig doesn’t bathe* in that situation, that would just be horrible. Unfortunately many do think that way, and I agree that that kind of hostile, accusatory thinking is likely partially due to western marketing.
I personally am a transhumanist in philosophy. I think that if we can make a way to make the human body some radiant vessel that would have been worshipped as a goddess across most of human history, that such an endeavor is worth while. But many look down on others when such standards become normalized. That is the key difference: another main tenant of transhuman philosophy is the idea of bodily autonomy. You inhabit the vessel you want, whether bathed or not.
And I agree that marketing has, in fact, been instrumental in pushing that “your body is fucking disgusting” idea onto others so heavily. Capitalism capitalizes best on making people feel lower or less important without a product.
Deodorant and I have never really spent much time together - perhaps because I live in a mild climate and don’t do much sports - but god damn do I love a hot shower.