The smell of a crisp, fall New England morning was so vivid I would have sworn it was real. But it couldn’t be real here. Not on the space station. Was my imagination that good, or had Sam been messing with the ventilation system and using aromatics to enhance our moods and improve the group dynamic?
It was certainly working for me. The stale emptiness of the atmosphere is an unforeseen sensory deprivation - the effects of which aren’t fully known yet. We’ve studied many ways our five senses affect appetite. Researchers have also studied pheromones and how they produce physical attraction.
Odors can, without a doubt, repel just as easily and promptly as they lure. It’s always disgusted me when people attempt to mask unwanted odors with sweet-smelling bouquets or perfumes. It signals the distinct possibility of chronic uncleanliness. Gross!
Here in our space suits, recollections are remote but if I wish to evoke memories from a happy time or am feeling a bit wistful, I can do so in one of three ways, either visually, musically or olfactorily. Come to think of it didn’t David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” and Elton John’s “Rocket Man” water the seeds that were planted in my brain by movies like “2001 A Space Odyssey?”
Graphic prods may take a while to transport me but do likewise linger and remain in my mind’s eye the longest. Musical prompts quickly bring me to my desired state of reminiscing and generally return periodically whether by accident or design. Nevertheless, the stoutest push of them all rises and rests directly between our eyes and lips.
The olfactory cues strike like lightning. These are the most immediate and bold. They are as swift in their departure as in they are their arrival. One whiff and I travel through time and space without delay or failure. I bet you Sam has invested a great deal of time experimenting with aromatics and how to use them while we are up here floating in this tin can sans genuine fragrance.
No comments:
Post a Comment