the kicker

Today is the Day

Today, apparently, is World Toilet Day. And lest you forget about what that means, science writer Margaret Wertheim lays it out in an opinion column in today’s Los Angeles Times. A question of the day: Though the word “toilet” is often considered declasse and even rude to utter aloud, much of modern life would not […]

November 19, 2008

Today, apparently, is World Toilet Day. And lest you forget about what that means, science writer Margaret Wertheim lays it out in an opinion column in today’s Los Angeles Times.

A question of the day:

Though the word “toilet” is often considered declasse and even rude to utter aloud, much of modern life would not be possible without the commode. Ask yourself this: If you had to live without toilets or electricity, which would you choose?

On toilets and skyscrapers:

Toilets became a key factor in metropolitan growth both laterally and vertically. In order to build up, you have to be able to flush down. (Imagine carrying a chamber pot down the 102 stories of the Empire State Building.)

Jane Kim is a writer in New York.