99% Invisible The Great Indoors
Nov 25, 2020
Emily Anthes, author of The Great Indoors, dives into the surprising ways indoor spaces affect our health and happiness. She reveals that we spend a staggering 90% of our lives indoors, yet we know little about our environments. Anthes discusses the importance of biophilia, the hidden microbial ecosystems in our homes, and how indoor air quality can significantly impact well-being. She also explores the balance between accessibility and design, and the role of smart technology in modern living.
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Humans as Indoor Species
- Modern humans are primarily an indoor species, spending approximately 90% of their time inside.
- This was the case even before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Home Microbiomes
- Our homes contain diverse, largely unstudied ecosystems of microbes, mostly bacteria and fungi.
- These microbes come from us, live in our homes, and drift in from the outdoors.
Showerhead Microbes
- Emily Anthes's showerhead contained a mysterious bacterium, RB41, also found in dog noses and cave paintings.
- This highlights the unexplored nature of home ecosystems.
