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Take us to your leader 👽 (lemmy.world)

submitted 3 months ago by ellypony@lemmy.world to c/historymemes@lemmy.world

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[–] PugJesus@lemmy.world 39 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Unwashed savages!

Funny enough, Europeans of the 15th and 16th centuries were more likely to be unwashed than their medieval predecessors. Bath-houses had acquired something of a seedy reputation, a medical fad that suggested bathing was unhealthy was in vogue, and it was seen as a mark of humility (very Christian and virtuous!) to go long periods without such vanity as washing oneself. In the medieval period, at least, you'd have even rural people rinsing in the river on the regular!

[–] gibmiser@lemmy.world 36 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Antibathers? They had medical antibathers?

Oh shit oh fuck don't tell the antivaxers, imagine having coworkers who refuse to vaccinate and never bathe...

[–] PugJesus@lemmy.world 20 points 3 months ago

This but even more often

[–] ayyy@sh.itjust.works 12 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Steve Jobs is a recent notable example of an anti-bather.

[–] tetris11@lemmy.ml 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

can you imagine turning up to work, and your boss - too afraid to confront your strange beliefs - simply assigns you the night shift to not have to interact with your weird ass

Steve Jobs was particularly influenced by the book "Be Here Now" which explains the methods and mentality of the Budist tradition. In Budisim, feet have several implicit meanings. For example, it is considered respectful to touch the feet of an authority figure, and a sign of acceptance for that figure to allow it. One of philosopher Thich Nhat Hanh's many mantras is "Walk as if you were kissing the earth with your feet". It is likely from this tradition that Steve Jobs first picked up his unusual habits.

[–] MonkderVierte@lemmy.ml 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

What was that theory called again?

[–] PugJesus@lemmy.world 5 points 3 months ago

Miasma theory. The thinking was, at least partially, that bathing opened up your pores, through which 'bad air' (miasma) could seep in. Funny enough, miasma theory after and before this period was used primarily to support bathing. Goes to show people can twist anything to their purposes.