Lifestyle

What Is a Bidet and Why Do You Need One?

Published

4 years ago

January 18, 2022

Matthew Wiles

Many Americans don’t know what a bidet is, let alone why you would need one.

That’s because bidets (pronounced “bi-day”) are a French invention that have yet to become widespread in the US.

But they’re very popular in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. For example, over 77.5% of Japanese homes have one.

What Is a Bidet?

A bidet is a bathroom appliance that sprays water on your bottom to clean you after you’re done going to the bathroom. It’s an alternative to using toilet paper. There are different types of bidets: stand-alone, handheld, toilet seat, attachment, and even travel versions.

Stand-alone bidets are often mistaken for a low sink or a urinal. That’s what they look like. However, they’re meant to be squatted over after using the toilet for cleaning yourself.

A handheld bidet, aka a bidet shower or shattaf, is a little hose that you can hold and direct with your hand. They’re a nice DIY option because they’re easy to install.

Other bidets are integrated into the toilet seat. These are nice because they don’t require you to move from the toilet seat at all. A spray nozzle extends beneath you when you’re ready and then retracts when you’re done. Many toilet seat bidets also come with added features like heated seats and air drying.

Bidet attachments fit underneath the toilet seat and use water pressure. You adjust the nozzle spray by turning a dial. These are also one of the more cost-effective options since they don’t require any electricity.

Finally, travel bidets are handy for when you’re on the road and don’t want to resort to toilet paper. They look like a bottle and have a skinny cap that squirts out water when you squeeze it.

Benefits of Using a Bidet

Now that you know what types of bidets are out there, why should you use one? Well, they have many benefits over toilet paper. Let’s go over them:

Bidets are cleaner. Think about it: If you were to get mud on your skin, you’d want to wash it off with water. You wouldn’t use dry paper to scrape it off. But that’s basically what we do when we use toilet paper, and it doesn’t get everything. It leaves residue. Plus, you don’t have to use your hands when you use bidets, so they’re more hygienic because there’s less opportunity for germs to spread.
Bidets are also better for the environment. We use 22 billion kilometers of toilet paper globally per year. And each year it costs 712 million trees, 1,165 million tons of water, and 78 million tons of oil. Using a bidet dramatically reduces the amount of toilet paper you use since you only need it to dry. And if you get a bidet with an air dryer function, you don’t need to use any toilet paper at all. And by not buying toilet paper, you also need to dispose of less plastic packaging.
Bidets can save you a ton of money. The average American spends over $11,000 on toilet paper in their lifetime. That’s over $140 per year. But with a bidet, you don’t need toilet paper. And if you consider that it takes about 6 gallons of water to make one roll of toilet paper, using bidets saves a lot of water as well.
Another reason to love bidets is that they minimize your plumbing issues. Since you use less toilet paper, there are less opportunities for your pipes to clog. That means you don’t have to call the plumber as often, which will save you a lot of stress and money in the long run.
Finally, using a bidet is a pleasant experience. While toilet paper can be rough on your skin, bidets are far more gentle and comfortable. They may take some time to get used to, but once you do, it’s hard to go back.

Final Thoughts

Whether you decide to invest in a bidet or not, it’s worth a try. So the next time you see one, resist the urge to use toilet paper like you always do and try something new.

And if you do invest in one, remember to clean it regularly. Then enjoy it and consider introducing your family and friends. Bidets are bound to spread across the US as more people recognize the many benefits.

Lifestyle

Confronting Propaganda: Street Smart Documents Honest Reactions to Gaza Indoctrination Footage

Published

2 hours ago

November 6, 2025

Michelle Langton

Photo Courtesy of: Street Smart

Byline: Michelle Langton

In a recent project, the Street Smart team gathered 20 strangers and presented them with propaganda footage from Gaza that has circulated widely online but remains largely unfamiliar to many audiences. The aim wasn’t to provoke outrage or test media literacy in a classroom setting. It was to capture raw, unfiltered emotional reactions to material that reveals how narratives are formed at the source. The resulting video offers a candid look at how people process shocking content and how their perceptions shift when they see what is rarely shown on mainstream platforms.

The Structure of the Experiment

The format was simple. Participants were seated and shown a series of clips from Gaza, including children’s programming and broadcasts containing intense ideological messaging. No background information was provided, and viewers were not instructed on how to interpret what they were seeing. After watching, they were asked for immediate reactions.

The footage elicited a wide range of emotions. Some viewers were stunned by the content, admitting they had never seen anything like it before. Others expressed disbelief, questioning why this kind of material isn’t more widely discussed. A few were visibly shaken, saying the experience fundamentally altered their understanding of the situation.

By presenting the footage without narration or added commentary, Street Smart allowed participants’ genuine responses to emerge. The experiment revealed how propaganda can affect an entire generation. It can shock, unsettle, and force people to reconsider their assumptions.

Why This Project Matters

Sage Fox and Dorani aligned the purpose of this experiment with Street Smart’s broader mission of challenging prevailing narratives and encouraging critical thought among younger audiences. In an environment where footage spreads rapidly across digital platforms, propaganda can shape public opinion long before context catches up.

By showing the Gaza Indoctrination footage in a controlled setting and recording uncoached responses, the team aimed to expose the emotional and cognitive impact of this type of content.

“The first reaction is often the most revealing, because it shows how powerful images can be without context.”

The Range of Reactions

While each participant brought their own perspective, several themes emerged. Some expressed sympathy with the imagery itself, saying it was emotionally powerful.

One participant said, “It makes me question what I see online every day. How much of it is shaped this way?”

Their comments highlight how propaganda resonates differently depending on prior knowledge and exposure. Many viewers have simply never encountered such footage directly.

Street Smart’s Approach

This project continues a pattern established by Sage Fox & Dorani’s earlier videos. Rather than relying on experts or lengthy analysis, Street Smart focuses on real people and their honest reactions. The approach is simple but effective. Present potent material, listen to what people say, and share those moments with a wider audience.

The Gaza Indoctrination footage experiment fits this model. It doesn’t attempt to draw final conclusions or offer political commentary. Instead, it documents how people respond when they’re exposed to narratives that are usually filtered through intermediaries.

Implications for Media Literacy

Beyond its viral potential, the video raises broader questions about how people interact with powerful imagery online. Propaganda operates on emotional reflexes. As this experiment shows, those reflexes are often unexamined until they’re brought to the surface.

Sage Fox & Dorani hope that projects like this push audiences to think more critically about what they see and share.

“The purpose is not to tell people what to believe. It is to remind them that every image comes from somewhere, and that source matters,” they said.

Next Steps for Street Smart

As Street Smart’s platform grows, Sage Fox & Dorani plan to conduct similar experiments in different contexts. They intend to use their direct, street-level approach to highlight how people react when presented with challenging material.

The Gaza footage project is one piece of a larger mission. The team uses simple methods to shed light on complex issues. By focusing on authentic reactions, they continue to build a unique space in online media that blends cultural investigation with raw human response.

A Window into Unfiltered Thought

“We showed 20 strangers real propaganda footage from Gaza — and filmed their unfiltered reactions” is not a dramatic exposé or academic study. It is a clear, unmediated record of how individuals respond when confronted with material designed to persuade. In that restraint lies its strength.

By documenting these moments, Street Smart shows how awareness can begin with a pause. A brief space between seeing and believing.