Hyperfixed Episode Summary: "Donny Talks About Toilets"

Release Date: January 16, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Hyperfixed, host Alex Goldman dives into a topic that many might overlook but resonates deeply with a significant portion of their audience: public restrooms. Prompted by numerous listener submissions, Alex, along with producer Amor Yates, explores the myriad issues surrounding public bathroom design, hygiene, and cultural attitudes.

The Public Restroom Dilemma

Amor Yates begins by highlighting the overwhelming number of complaints received about public restrooms, which surpassed all other submissions. This surge in feedback underscores a collective frustration with the current state of public bathroom facilities.

Amor Yates (02:02):
"We had nearly a dozen public restroom complaints and I felt compelled to investigate this further."

Donny Perry’s Comprehensive Critique

The episode centers around Donny Perry, a design-centric professional from Des Moines, Iowa, who passionately critiques every aspect of public restrooms. Donny argues that American public bathrooms are among the poorest designed products, emphasizing functionality over user experience.

Donny Perry (04:17):
"There is perhaps no product more poorly designed than the American public bathroom."

Key Issues Identified by Donny

1. Toilet Seat Interaction

   Donny expresses a strong aversion to touching toilet seats with his hands. He proposes a foot-operated mechanism to lift and lower toilet seats, citing an encounter in a Brooklyn restaurant where a foot pedal was used for trash cans but not for toilets.

   Donny Perry (04:56):
   "Why doesn't this toilet seat and this toilet cover operate by foot pedal instead of me having to use my hands?"

2. Privacy Concerns

   The design of restroom stalls often leaves gaps that compromise user privacy, leading to uncomfortable and invasive experiences.

   Donny Perry (08:41):
   "The gap of shame as you briefly make eye contact in your most vulnerable position possible with people who are just passing by."

3. Soundscape Design

   Poor sound management in restrooms results in unwanted echoes and amplified sounds, creating an awkward and unsettling environment.

   Donny Perry (08:41):
   "Soundscape design is so important in the bathroom to me, and I walk into so many restrooms where it's just not even considered."

4. Faulty Motion Sensors

   Motion-activated sinks often malfunction, either being too sensitive or not responsive enough, frustrating users who rely on touchless options for hygiene.

   Donny Perry (10:36):
   "None of the motion sensors at the sinks work. None of them work."

Expert Insights: Harvey Molage and Stephen Soifer

To shed light on these issues, Alex and Amor consult with Harvey Molage, a sociology professor and editor of the book Toilet, and Stephen Soifer, co-founder of the American Restroom Association (ARA).

1. Design Prioritization

   Harvey Molage explains that restroom design is often the least prioritized aspect of building projects, typically delegated to the lowest-ranking designers, resulting in subpar facilities.

   Harvey Molage (13:17):
   "That's why in the United States, you go into any of these buildings and the entry hall is brilliantly lit...But the restroom, it's like you call Home Depot, and they send the same crap to every restroom."

2. Cultural Attitudes

   The intentional design flaws, such as the peephole gaps, reflect deeper American cultural issues like prudery and discomfort with public displays of personal actions.

   Harvey Molage (14:54):
   "You can see America right? When you're looking through that crack...they are seeing America."

3. Advocacy and Solutions

   Stephen Soifer discusses ongoing efforts by advocacy groups to improve restroom designs, including the implementation of foot pedals and pushing for legislative changes to ensure better facilities.

   Stephen Soifer (19:00):
   "I've seen some designs for the pedals."
   Stephen Soifer (20:06):
   "People are making changes...There's a whole public restroom movement in this country."

Microbial Reality: Insights from Microbiologist Jason Tetro

To address whether public restrooms are genuinely hazardous, Alex interviews Jason Tetro, a microbiologist with nearly four decades of experience.

1. Germ Comparison

   Contrary to popular belief, Jason explains that toilet seats are among the least contaminated surfaces in restrooms. Common items like cell phones, door handles, hand dryers, and soap dispensers harbor more germs.

   Jason Tetro (26:02):
   "The toilet seat is probably one of the least contaminated environments or surfaces that you're going to encounter in a restroom."

2. Transmission Risks

   The primary risk isn't from the toilet seat itself but from aerosolized particles created when flushing—a phenomenon known as toilet plume.

   Jason Tetro (26:18):
   "By putting your skin, fully intact skin, onto a surface, a fully intact surface... there's no risk of getting an infection from a toilet seat."

3. Hand Hygiene

   Poor handwashing practices contribute significantly to the spread of germs. Jason emphasizes the importance of washing hands thoroughly to mitigate health risks.

   Jason Tetro (27:54):
   "83% of the population do not wash their hands properly. That's basically what we found."

Practical Recommendations

Drawing from the discussion, Alex and Jason offer actionable tips to enhance restroom hygiene:

• Close the Lid Before Flushing: Prevents toilet plume from dispersing germs into the air.

  Alex Goldman (31:00):
  "Shutting the lid before flushing, that is huge."

• Thorough Handwashing: Encourage proper handwashing techniques to reduce infection risks.

  Jason Tetro (33:38):
  "It's no longer an issue for me. But I can't say the same thing for them."

• Use of Foot Pedals: Where available, utilize foot pedals to minimize hand contact with surfaces.

Conclusion

While public restrooms may not be as germ-infested as urban legends suggest, their design often neglects user comfort and privacy. Through listener feedback and expert insights, Hyperfixed highlights the pressing need for better restroom designs and personal hygiene practices. The episode underscores that while individual actions like thorough handwashing are crucial, systemic changes in restroom infrastructure are equally important for improving public health and user experience.

Notable Quotes:

• Donny Perry (04:17):
  "There is perhaps no product more poorly designed than the American public bathroom."

• Harvey Molage (14:54):
  "You can see America right? When you're looking through that crack...they are seeing America."

• Jason Tetro (26:02):
  "The toilet seat is probably one of the least contaminated environments or surfaces that you're going to encounter in a restroom."

Call to Action

If you have experiences or problems related to public restrooms or any other topics, consider submitting them to Hyperfixed for discussion in future episodes. Join the conversation and become part of the movement to improve the everyday annoyances that impact us all.

This summary was crafted based on the transcript and podcast information provided. For more insights and episodes, visit hyperfixedpod.com.