freedom of the bathroom
n.— «According to prolific writer Isaac Asimov, when two people share two bathrooms, each has “freedom of the bathroom.” This freedom entails using the resource whenever, for however long, and for whatever purpose one chooses. Unfortunately, when 20 people share those same two bathrooms, freedom of the bathroom disappears. It is a simple metaphor from which he extrapolates the problems of overpopulation-a circumstance he believed would mean the end to democracy, human dignity, convenience and decency.» —“Freedom of the bathroom, environmental crisis and high school theater” by Kerry Litchfield Valley Reporter (Waitsfield, Vermont) Jan. 3, 2007. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Cherry Bombs (episode #1551) 07/27/2020: An ornithologist says there's a growing movement to change the name of a pink-footed bird currently called the flesh-footed shearwater. The movement reflects a growing... [more]
Queen Bee (episode #1550) 07/13/2020: An artist asks strangers to write haiku about the pandemic and gets back poetic, poignant glimpses of life under lockdown. Plus, the new book Queenspotting... [more]
Navel-Gazing (episode #1549) 06/29/2020: In 1971, when a new public library opened in Troy, Michigan, famous authors and artists were invited to write letters to the city's youngest readers,... [more]
Yak Shaving (episode #1548) 06/08/2020: There was a time when William Shakespeare was just another little seven-year-old in school. Classes in his day were demanding — and all in Latin.... [more]
Cabin Fever (episode #1547) 04/21/2020: The adjectives canine and feline refer to dogs and cats. But how does English address other groups of animals? Plus, cabin fever has been around... [more]
You must log in to post a comment.