Why is it Disgusting to Look at Your Poop (WE-46)

A long time since the last post, more than a month actually, right?

Well, it’s not that I didn’t feel like writing. I wrote, a lot, during this past month in my diaries/journals/supernote. To give you an idea, there are five rooms in my apartment and there is a diary/notebook along with a fountain pen in every room, sometimes even in the balcony (perks of a well-paid job that I can afford to buy 13 fountain pens and 16 diaries!).

I just didn’t feel like opening the laptop, typing it out, editing it, formatting it, tinkering with the settings, SEO, and whatnot. And then preview it, re-format the whole thing, then finally publish! And then share it here and there….it’s such a chore!

Today, I am feeling motivated and high on caffeine, sitting in my balcony, and feeling like sharing what I have written. So, here it goes!


All those who are still here, let me ask you an important question-:

Why does it feel disgusting to look at your poop? (or anyone else’s for that matter!)

Why are burps socially acceptable but not farts? Just because it is coming from a hidden place?

Those of you calling me filthy, read this story where Picasso had used his daughter’s feces for a painting. And what’s more, people called him a genius for doing that! 1


Story behind the question

So, I went to the loo in the library last day. When I was done with the ‘work’ I flushed it but even after that proof of my poop remained. And I looked at it.

I said ‘Yewww!’

Photo by Simon Hurry on Unsplash

But then, being the philosopher that I am, I wondered aloud ‘Why am I feeling disgusted looking at it?’

I mean, it’s not anything out of this world. It’s made of some substance. Sure, it stinks but so do other things. But why the disgust?

Then I told myself to let’s go back in time when I was a child. When I didn’t have even a name for it.

Was it still disgusting to the child me?

What was it like, Ansh?

Before the society (parents included) told me it was something Yuck?

Didn’t I see it as something strange with a sense of curiosity and not disgust? Maybe.


Like I wrote before I don’t have many answers, all I (think) am good at is asking questions and encouraging you to do the same.

  • So, what do you think where does this feeling of disgust come from?
  • Can you remember how you felt about it during your childhood

Let’s discuss this in the comments below


  1. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2016/nov/02/picasso-diana-widmaier-granddaoughter-artist-used-excrement-in-painting