Flush

More about the book

For readers of Giulia Enders and Bill Bryson, this engaging exploration by microbiologist and science journalist Bryn Nelson delves into the overlooked potential of human feces. Historically, society has shunned a close examination of this natural byproduct, primarily viewing it as a reflection of health. However, a deeper investigation reveals a wealth of possibilities for human protection, innovation, and transformation. Feces can serve as potent medicine, sustainable energy, and fertilizer to rejuvenate depleted lands. It holds clues to understanding past lives and can provide early warnings for health crises like Covid-19, as well as insights into environmental damage. This work is both a critical examination of a vastly underutilized natural resource and a passionate call to recognize the hidden value in what is often dismissed as waste. Nelson guides readers through the complexities of our microbiome with infectious enthusiasm, advocating for a shift in perspective that could restore our connection to the planet. Embracing the potential of our waste can lead to a more circular economy, where byproducts become vital resources. Within each of us lies the potential for healing, energy, and sustainability; it’s time to unlock it. Hope can indeed come in the most unexpected forms.