That's Disgusting: Unraveling the Mysteries of Repulsion
2 journalers for this copy...
Arrived yesterday from BetterWorldBooks.com. Former library book, very good condition, including plastic cover.
I have long felt that disgust is an emotion that we can control. We can decide whether or not to be disgusted by something. In this book, Herz makes this point repeatedly, and notes that it is actually a luxury, a feeling the entitled among us may choose. People of little privilege don't have the option of feeling disgusted by insects, by strange foods, by certain smells, for example. Sometimes we just have to live with some things and it is better to make peace with the fact.
I have found this subject interesting for a long time, although this is the first time I have done any real reading on it. A few years ago I read a book by a woman who was thrown in prison for her political beliefs, and who was faced with cockroaches the first night. She simply got used to them. Obviously, no other course of action would be helpful in that situation. I admit that I tend to hold in low esteem those who cringe and make faces when they see a bug. I am not faultless in this regard, as I will jump when a wild mouse runs into a room or when a spider lands on me . I recognize, though, that this is on me. My choice.
Herz's book explores a number of aspects to disgust, including the type of disgust some feel for persons who do not adhere to their own concept of a moral code. For example, those who find homosexuality "disgusting". She traces this to brain behavior, though, and finds that this type disgust is not the same as that we experience when we encounter a pile of poop.
Her exploration delves into horror movies, germs, people, love and lust, and tries to find evolutionary reasons for our feelings as well as reasons some people love horror on the screen and others can't abide it, for example.
It is an engaging book, written clearly and simply and with some humor. I wasn't as entranced by her humor as others have been but can't fault her for trying.
I have found this subject interesting for a long time, although this is the first time I have done any real reading on it. A few years ago I read a book by a woman who was thrown in prison for her political beliefs, and who was faced with cockroaches the first night. She simply got used to them. Obviously, no other course of action would be helpful in that situation. I admit that I tend to hold in low esteem those who cringe and make faces when they see a bug. I am not faultless in this regard, as I will jump when a wild mouse runs into a room or when a spider lands on me . I recognize, though, that this is on me. My choice.
Herz's book explores a number of aspects to disgust, including the type of disgust some feel for persons who do not adhere to their own concept of a moral code. For example, those who find homosexuality "disgusting". She traces this to brain behavior, though, and finds that this type disgust is not the same as that we experience when we encounter a pile of poop.
Her exploration delves into horror movies, germs, people, love and lust, and tries to find evolutionary reasons for our feelings as well as reasons some people love horror on the screen and others can't abide it, for example.
It is an engaging book, written clearly and simply and with some humor. I wasn't as entranced by her humor as others have been but can't fault her for trying.
Sending to a paperbackswap member
Very informative and entertainingReleased to family member
