Is the Toilet a Good Place for an Epiphany?
By josefina
@josie_ (10032)
Philippines
April 8, 2016 10:26pm CST
"I suspect however that life is most commonly and soberly contemplated from the toilet seat." ~ Fiacre Banks
Were you expecting toilet humor? Sorry, this is serious stuff. If you feel the need to comment, please refrain from making crappy remarks.
The quote above is a truism to many. Myself included. Some may disagree and call it bunk, so allow me to flush away some misconception.
The photo is an ancient communal toilet which was not only use for relief but was also a social gathering place. Socrates and his students must have spend many hours debating philosophical questions. Inquiring about "What is the truth?","Does God exist?","What is good and evil"?,"Did you make out last night with that cute chick"?
So when you read Plato's "The Republic", appreciate from which "seat of conscious thought" it sprang from.
(Plato was the student of Socrates)
There has also been speculation how Archimedes, the greatest mathematician of antiquity discover the principles of buoyancy. Popular anecdote has it that he notice how the level of water rose as he got into a tub to take a bath. Since he titled his treatise about hydrostatics "On floating bodies", couldn't it also be plausible that his famous exclamation "Eureka!" (modern times would have us cussing WTF!) came about when he was taking a dump in a public toilet and notice the floating properties of some...solid materials?
Finally,
Do you think writers only get their best ideas sitting in front of a desk staring at a computer screen or blank sheet of paper? Some find inspiration after a quiet walk while others like J.K.Rowling prefer the noise and din of a sidewalk cafe.
So why not on a toilet seat?
Understand that writer's block is a kind of constipation...mentally of course. Symptoms are the cerebral flatulence that one tend to emit. The only recourse is to unclogged the passageway to allow the free flow of ideas.
Thank you and have a nice day. I'm off to do some contemplating. Hopefully I can come up with articles that are less trashy or stinky.
NOTE: Fiacre Banks is a myLot member. The quote is from his post.
The quote above is a truism to many. Myself included. Some may disagree and call it bunk, so allow me to flush away some misconception.
The photo is an ancient communal toilet which was not only use for relief but was also a social gathering place. Socrates and his students must have spend many hours debating philosophical questions. Inquiring about "What is the truth?","Does God exist?","What is good and evil"?,"Did you make out last night with that cute chick"?
So when you read Plato's "The Republic", appreciate from which "seat of conscious thought" it sprang from.
(Plato was the student of Socrates)
There has also been speculation how Archimedes, the greatest mathematician of antiquity discover the principles of buoyancy. Popular anecdote has it that he notice how the level of water rose as he got into a tub to take a bath. Since he titled his treatise about hydrostatics "On floating bodies", couldn't it also be plausible that his famous exclamation "Eureka!" (modern times would have us cussing WTF!) came about when he was taking a dump in a public toilet and notice the floating properties of some...solid materials?
Finally,
Do you think writers only get their best ideas sitting in front of a desk staring at a computer screen or blank sheet of paper? Some find inspiration after a quiet walk while others like J.K.Rowling prefer the noise and din of a sidewalk cafe.
So why not on a toilet seat?
Understand that writer's block is a kind of constipation...mentally of course. Symptoms are the cerebral flatulence that one tend to emit. The only recourse is to unclogged the passageway to allow the free flow of ideas.
Thank you and have a nice day. I'm off to do some contemplating. Hopefully I can come up with articles that are less trashy or stinky.
NOTE: Fiacre Banks is a myLot member. The quote is from his post.
From what platform should we examine life? From standing beside an open grave perhaps, or from the marriage bed? From the money lender's counting table or the...
12 people like this
11 responses
@josie_ (10032)
• Philippines
9 Apr 16
@LadyDuck _This post was intended to be a serious discussion on the merits of that most useful but never acknowledge seat in the house. Unfortunately many thought this article was a joke
BTW, I always picture Rodin sculpting "The Thinker" while it's model sat on a loo.
BTW, I always picture Rodin sculpting "The Thinker" while it's model sat on a loo.2 people like this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
9 Apr 16
i recall a small poster pasted in our bath room, and the top most DON'T's is "NO LOUD PHILOSOPHICAL THINKING", and #2 is "NO SHARING OF SEATS". indeed, our best ideas come from the weirdest places.
2 people like this
@josie_ (10032)
• Philippines
9 Apr 16
@ridingbet _#1 is understandable if there is only one toilet in the house to be shared by many. Philosophical questions take up a lot of time. #2 I once visited our National hero Jose Rizal's family house in Calamba . I recall seeing a commode that was a two seater. two people could sit side by side while talking about the weather or whispering sweet nothings into each other's ear.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
9 Apr 16
@josie_ but what if there is only one seat and the two of you want to bring out that? I did that when I was in high school with a friend. all seats were taken so we voided back to back with just 1 commode.
I did that when I was in high school with a friend. all seats were taken so we voided back to back with just 1 commode.1 person likes this
@josie_ (10032)
• Philippines
9 Apr 16
@ridingbet _I can't stop giggling at the image of your back to back affair with your friend. You really bonded with each other.
I can't stop giggling at the image of your back to back affair with your friend. You really bonded with each other.1 person likes this
@quickinstinct (432)
• United States
9 Apr 16
It's like an office and sanctuary for good thoughts.
1 person likes this
@quickinstinct (432)
• United States
9 Apr 16
@josie_ Get a nice low table. Or have one that rises out of the floor.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10032)
• Philippines
9 Apr 16
@quickinstinct _It is a good sanctuary but for an office a bit more cramp. Where would you put the photo copier and coffee maker?
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
9 Apr 16
yes, my mind wanders while on the seat or in the shower, but no epiphanies yet.
i annoys me, though, when people spend a long time in the toilet because they're watching something or texting on their cellphones.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
12 Apr 16
@josie_ maybe a cctv camera would ensure everyone hurries up
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10032)
• Philippines
9 Apr 16
@hereandthere _Be thankful there isn't a tv set installed and they're watching their favorite morning soap opera
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10032)
• Philippines
12 Apr 16
@hereandthere _Clever comeback. that response got me speechless.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
9 Apr 16
delightfully written 'bout a most interestin' topic. bein' a crohn's sufferer, i've spent many hours'n the loo. the only thingy that pops into my mind though's that i really need to repaint the walls, lol.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
9 Apr 16
@josie_ seems our family tends to get these maladies fer which there's no cure, sadly. no worries though, sometimes a sense'f humor's all we've got :D
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10032)
• Philippines
9 Apr 16
@crazyhorseladycx _Consider that many maladies are cause by a woeful sense of humor, I'll take a dose of laughter over the need to pop a pill anytime 
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10032)
• Philippines
9 Apr 16
@crazyhorseladycx _I am sorry to learn about this. I have to look it up and found out there are no cure but merely palliatives. No one should suffer like this.Your sense of humor though has not suffer
1 person likes this
@brokenbee (11090)
• Philippines
9 Apr 16
Sometimes I am roaming around myLot while I am seated at the throne. Hihihi!
And I had withdrawn my PayPal funds when I was there. Yup, for me that's the best place to do it, while holding my tablet. My mind is focused with what I need to do unlike when I am somewhere else.
2 people like this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
9 Apr 16
My friend, I have a nice toilet with lavender and white colored wall and flooring and even the curtains are lavender including all the necessities inside. My toilet bowl is immaculate white and whole toilet has lavender scent. But you know what, I certainly can't think well inside and how much more think of ideas for writing . The toilet for me is only for bathing and answering the call of nature. I can't be like those great philosophers.
. The toilet for me is only for bathing and answering the call of nature. I can't be like those great philosophers.1 person likes this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
9 Apr 16
@josie_ Hahaha, I can think much better when surrounded with green. So when surrounded with plants and trees, i am more inspired. With lavender, all I wanted is to relax and rest that is why I chose it as the dominant color of our master bedroom and toilet inside.
1 person likes this
@karjatwala (1120)
• Pune, India
9 Apr 16
Seriously, worth giving a thought, while sitting......:)
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10032)
• Philippines
9 Apr 16
@karjatwala _Many deep thoughts where pondered by great man while sitting on.....
1 person likes this
