Friday, June 22, 2012

Toilet Seat

Yesterday I had a discussion about whether guys should leave the toilet seat down after use.  Coincidentally I happened to watch a South Park episode that mentioned the same dilemma.  Neither situations had a solution so I decided to write a blog post.  We'll start off by listing all possible scenarios (since they're pretty limited).
  1. Assuming no adjustments to toilet seat after use:
    • For Women:
      • Best Pee scenario: 0 adjustments (toilet seat is down = no change)
      • Worst Pee scenario: 1 adjustment (toilet seat from up to down)
      • Best Poo scenario: 0 adjustments (toilet seat is down = no change)
      • Worst Poo scenario: 1 adjustment (toilet seat from up to down)
        Total Number of adjustments for scenarios: 2
    • For Men:
      • Best Pee scenario: 0 adjustments (toilet seat is up = no change)
      • Worst Pee scenario: 1 adjustment (toilet seat from down to up)
      • Best Poo scenario: 0 adjustment (toilet seat is down = no change)
      • Worst Poo scenario: 1 adjustment (toilet seat from up to down)
        Total Number of adjustments for scenarios: 2
  2. Assuming men put the toilet seat down after each use:
      • For Women:
        • Best Pee scenario: 0 adjustments (toilet seat is down = no change)
        • Worst Pee scenario: 0 adjustment (toilet seat is down = no change)
        • Best Poo scenario: 0 adjustments (toilet seat is down = no change)
        • Worst Poo scenario: 0 adjustment (toilet seat is down = no change)
        • Total Number of adjustments for scenarios: 0
      • For Men:
        • Best Pee scenario: 3 adjustments (toilet seat from down to up and back down)
        • Worst Pee scenario: 3 adjustment (toilet seat from down to up and back down)
        • Best Poo scenario: 0 adjustment (toilet seat is down = no change)
        • Worst Poo scenario: 0 adjustment (toilet seat is down = no change)
        • Total Number of adjustments for scenarios: 6
    • Therefore, the only way to be fair (and consequently the most inefficient method) is to have the entire lid closed after each use regardless of gender:

      • For Women:
        • Best Pee scenario: 2 adjustments (open lid, close lid)
        • Worst Pee scenario: 2 adjustment (open lid, close lid)
        • Best Poo scenario: 2 adjustments (open lid, close lid)
        • Worst Poo scenario: 2 adjustment (open lid, close lid)
        • Total Number of adjustments for scenarios: 8
      • For Men:
        • Best Pee scenario: 2 adjustments (open lid, close lid)
        • Worst Pee scenario: 2 adjustment (open lid, close lid)
        • Best Poo scenario: 2 adjustment (open lid, close lid)
        • Worst Poo scenario: 2 adjustment (open lid, close lid)
        • Total Number of adjustments for scenarios: 8


        Note: None of these methods take into account frequency of use (i.e. more peeing than pooping).  If given say a 2:1 ratio of peeing to pooping, then the most energy saving seating would be with toilet seat down (although not necessarily fairer).

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    3 comments:

    1. City KittiesJune 23, 2012 at 7:01 AM

      I like how your "note" at the bottom justifies the seat down argument. Besides, men choose to pee standing, rather than sit, and women do not have that option, so it is only fair that men return the seat to its down position.

      The whole toilet seat argument could be solved if we all peed the same way: using the toilet as it was originally designed, with the tank as a little desk to put you chocolate milk while you go.

      ReplyDelete
    2. City KittiesJune 23, 2012 at 7:02 AM

      *your

      ReplyDelete
    3. Ms. NeliseJune 25, 2012 at 2:50 PM

      I agree with your conclusion - entirely down looks better, too!

      ReplyDelete

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