Mr. Wang had found my interest in fen, the Mandarin word…
““Mr. Wang had found my interest in fen, the Mandarin word for excrement, peculiar. Nonetheless, he tried to be helpful. He would point out when he spotted a truck full of fen looming behind, though its odor preceded it by far. He would alert me when he saw a tiny figure in a roadside field bearing a tank and hose, spraying--by the smell of it--the contents of his toilets on his cabbages. This practice would horrify any public health professional, given the disease-load of feces, but it's what happens to 90 percent of China's excrement, and has been done forever. There are reasons not to eat salads in China, and why the sizzling woks are so sizzling.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage highlights the widespread use of human waste as fertilizer in rural China, noting its health risks and cultural acceptance despite modern sanitation standards.
In simple terms: Chinese farmers often use human waste as fertilizer, which can be unsafe.
Key Takeaway
Recognize cultural practices and seek safer alternatives.
Themes
agriculture
public health
culture
environment
tradition
Mood
concerned
reflective
critical
Type
observational
cautionary
cultural.
When to use this quote
- rural farming
- public health policy
- environmental education
- urban planning
Key Concepts
sustainability
risk management
food safety
Questions to Reflect On
- How can traditional practices be modernized safely?
- What are the health impacts of using untreated waste as fertilizer?
A Different Perspective
The practice may be environmentally sustainable but poses serious disease risks without proper treatment.