this post was submitted on 18 Jul 2025
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Today I Learned

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[–] HikingVet@lemmy.ca 53 points 1 day ago

He most likely died of being fucking 94.

[–] quediuspayu@lemmy.dbzer0.com 98 points 1 day ago (3 children)

I imagine that if they managed to convince him is because he wasn't feeling too well.

In other words, maybe what killed him wasn't having bath but what made him change his mind about the bath.

[–] ImplyingImplications@lemmy.ca 55 points 1 day ago (1 children)

That's also why some people believe in snake oil. People get desperate to try something after a few days of illness and then suddenly feel better after doing the thing. They would have gotten better without it, but the timing makes it seem like the thing cured them. It's why we use double blind studies instead of anecdotes like this.

[–] CoolThingAboutMe@aussie.zone 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Did you know actual snake oil was used in traditional Chinese medicine for arthritis. Aparently it's quite high in Omega-3. But it got popular and then grifters started selling random concoctions and calling it snake oil and that's how it became synonymous with quackery.

Not really related to the point of your comment, I just read about it recently and thought it was interesting.

[–] 200ok@lemmy.world 1 points 18 hours ago

Neat! Thanks for sharing

[–] Nebula@fedia.io 18 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Almost certainly a correlation ≠ causation situation. Bathing wouldn't suddenly destroy his probably insanely resistant immune system.

[–] crestwave@lemmy.world 11 points 1 day ago (1 children)

That is true, but bathing after avoiding it for 60 years is still a significant change in environment that probably isn't great if you're 94 years old.

[–] pocopene@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

"But, local media say, Amou Haji finally succumbed to pressure and washed a few months ago.

According to Iran's IRNA news agency, he became ill shortly afterwards and died on Sunday."

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-63389045

[–] grrgyle@slrpnk.net 40 points 1 day ago (1 children)

That was probably a big stressful change after a lifetime of avoiding bathing. I wouldn't rule out incidental causation.

[–] Randomgal@lemmy.ca 13 points 1 day ago

No. It was the curse.

[–] troed@fedia.io 64 points 1 day ago (1 children)

In today's news: In the fight between correlation vs causation most people will still bet on correlation.

[–] piyuv@lemmy.world 22 points 1 day ago (3 children)

You’re right but:

Despite his extreme uncleanliness his health remained remarkably intact for most of his life. Medical experts in Iran observed that while he tested positive for a parasite infection called trichinosis the condition appeared asymptomatic. One public health professor speculated that his unconventional immune system may have adapted to his environment.

I’d bet on causation here.

[–] dogslayeggs@lemmy.world 10 points 1 day ago

More likely is the extreme stress of him thinking he had violated the superstition's rules. At 94 it doesn't take much to push a person over the edge.

[–] Venus_Ziegenfalle@feddit.org 16 points 1 day ago

Not sure if I'd bet on it but I genuinely don't think it should be ruled out

[–] mycodesucks@lemmy.world 11 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] damnedfurry@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

"I'm indestructible..."

Destroying the Horny Layer on someone who is already not feeling their best: solid call.

[–] Aggravationstation@feddit.uk 18 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

He used to smoke dried animal shit through an old car exhaust pipe too.

[–] keen@lemmy.world 11 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Have you tried it?

[–] Diddlydee@feddit.uk 15 points 1 day ago

So young. Taken too soon. Who could have known this was coming?

[–] StraponStratos@lemmy.sdf.org 15 points 1 day ago (3 children)

And to honor this man, I’ve never showered since.

[–] miss_demeanour@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 1 day ago (1 children)

No offense, StraponStratos, but imma keeping a few feet away...

[–] StraponStratos@lemmy.sdf.org 15 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Your loss. I’ve been told I’m very funky and cultured.

[–] miss_demeanour@lemmy.dbzer0.com 14 points 1 day ago (1 children)

By 'cultured' they actually meant 'fungi'.

[–] StraponStratos@lemmy.sdf.org 5 points 1 day ago

Thanks, I am pretty fun. I like to get out on the weekends and work up a sweat.

[–] Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

Talk to you again in 60 years. Until then, would you mind keeping your distance?

[–] atro_city@fedia.io 2 points 1 day ago (2 children)

There are USAians who believe that showering is bad for health and don't do it. They say "everybody says I smell fine". I'd have to find the article about it.

[–] Nollij@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 day ago

From what I've been told, the smell of BO disappears after a while. Instead, they smell like a farm animal. But they have to skip bathing long enough for that change to occur, and it gets undone whenever they bathe.

As for people saying they smell fine, as obnoxious as we are, very few people are willing to tell someone they smell like shit. Most of us will even directly lie to them to avoid the difficult conversation.

[–] edgemaster72@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago

A shower is just a bidet for the whole body, and some people are weirdly opposed to bidets, so I guess being anti-shower could just be an extension of that

[–] IhaveCrabs111@lemmy.world 11 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Villagers: “Amou, you have infections all over your body. You have a very slim chance of survival if you take a bath.”

The internet:

[–] ziltoid101@lemmy.world 10 points 1 day ago

We needed a negative control, dammit!

[–] FlashMobOfOne@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

Bummer. Bath time is glorious.

[–] dumbass@quokk.au 9 points 1 day ago

Proving him right.

[–] aceshigh@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

Sometimes we create our own prophecy. I wonder if he had a lot of skin issues.

[–] octopus_ink@slrpnk.net 1 points 1 day ago

His last words were:

 

You mother fuckers!