Kingdumb Discomfort

by WTWizard 6 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  WTWizard

  I have noticed that most Kingdumb Hells have had numerous comfort problems. One of the most consistent is that they are extremely dry at this time of year. I can remember when I had chapped hands, that it is always worse after sitting there for 2 hours. People would have lotion by the ton. I never did like lotions with mineral oil or petrolatum; I preferred coconut oil which they didn't like because it's supposed to be a food item.

  Dry skin aside, this creates other problems. It is a magnet for positive ions. When the air is positively charged, it is impossible to stay put for the whole time. People get headaches and get extremely tired (and then have to screech out in field circus after). This is a bigger problem when the air is very dry. The carpet and chairs add to this positive ion problem. And, the risk of catching cold is much worse, even if the temperature is stable (I never had a problem with catching colds just because of going out in the cold without a jacket, getting caught in the rain, or drafts). The environment is perfect for people to get very sick, even possibly cancer (if nothing else, positively charged air acts as a Lewis acid, acidifying the body).

  The other major comfort problem is the chairs. They are meant to be susceptible to getting dirty. However, they are very poor on the back. I have had back problems myself, and they are not from lifting heavy items with my back. In fact, I find that, if I take it easy and not lift from below my knees while I have this problem, I actually get relief from lifting heavy loads with my back. However, the problem is aggravated by the Kingdumb Hell chairs. I can lift 60 to 80 pound loads with my back safely, but I cannot sit in a Kingdumb Hell chair without a backache. I wonder if sitting in those Kingdumb Hell chairs has anything to do with my getting those back problems in the first place--I noticed I never got them before becoming a witless despite lifting with my back, and I get fewer of them now that I no longer go to boasting sessions.

  I wonder how many other comfort issues are found in the majority of Kingdumb Hells beyond the climate control systems. I have heard of incidents of mold, odor problems, fumes accumulating from poor ventilation, and the quality of the lighting being hard on the eyes (especially in Kingdumb Hells with no windows or where the blinds are closed and there is no light from outside reaching the people). Or, perhaps it's the bad association of all the witlesses hounding you to do ever more, taking up the Pioneer Diet, and spending even more time in your pollution machine distributing littera-trash to people that smoke, have very hot and stuffy houses, and/or are sick with the flu.
• 

  Alligator Wisdom

  We have a septic tank for our Kingdom Hall. It is situated outside underground, though only about 10 feet from the main entrance doors. It reeks about half the time. Gastly sickening during the hot and humid summer months.

  I wonder if it is to keep the brothers/sisters from taking a break during the program by just lounging on the front steps.

  Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)
• 

  jayhawk1

  I don't know much about those positive ions, but a Kingdom Hall with no outside air circulation is always going to have stale air in it. My old Hall had mold problems and finally about 20 years after it was built they replaced the heat and air conditioner which included the ability to pump in fresh air.

  And yes, those seats suck! They're not made for two hours of setting. What's worse, although nothing was said, it was an looked down upon to bring in a cushion.
• 

  JAVA

  It's been over 20 years since I've been in a KH, but most union halls looked better than many of the ones I attended.
  
  Concerning the septic tank comment let me just add that Septic Tanks and Kingdom Halls seem to go together. :)
• 

  lisavegas420

  This thread brought back memories of sliding our feet around on the carpet at the KH and trying to shock each other.

  lisa
• 

  WTWizard

  I don't know much about those positive ions.

  Positive ions are the result of positive electrical charges on air molecules, when the atoms lose electrons. This is a result of dry air being forced along surfaces, and the synthetic carpets in most Kingdumb Hells is perfect for this. Positive ions are also created when heated (and dry) air passes through ductwork in heating and cooling systems that are common in Kingdumb Hells these days. Steam heat generally produces less of these ions; forced air heating, and most air conditioners, produce huge quantities of positive ions by stripping electrons off the atoms.

  Positive ions can also happen in nature. Usually, this happens in arid regions when a strong wind blows across such areas. Usually the wind comes down from a mountain. People can become hostile and more aggressive, and get headaches, when this condition exists. (I wonder how much of the A$$embly Headache is a result of pos-ions in the air of the a$$embly hells.) At boasting sessions, the usual result is people needing to take more breaks to walk around, headaches, tiredness, and aggression. Thus, the boring speaker is not the only thing keeping people from paying rapt attention to the boasting session. As to whether it is intentionally done to enhance the hypnotic trance from the boasting session or merely coincidence, that's another matter.

  On the other hand, negative ions (surplus electrons attached to air molecules) are relaxing and refreshing. This happens mostly in the rain, after thunderstorms, in the shower, and near waterfalls (whether natural or artificial). They are good for one's health, since they serve as a Lewis base (capable of donating electrons to acids to create a neutral molecule). The result of being in an environment that is full of negative ions is being invigorated and relaxed, which is why they would be wise to put neg-ion generators in Kingdumb Hells for use prior to field circus.

  One can do additional research on the health effects of negative and positive ions in the air online, as usual with multiple independent sources the best bet. However, comfortwise, the positive ions in the Kingdumb Hell usually contribute to the stuffiness, the headaches, and the lethargy that people feel when they are at a boasting session.
• 

  MissingLink

  Our hall has NO ventilation. We had a quick-build remodel a few years back and there was money for a ventilation system. But this was imbezeled by one of the elders (and covered up, but this is another story). So meetings start off a bit chilly, but soon it's hot and moist inside. The windows are all steamed up and there is a noticable lack of oxygen. I can't stand it and it always pissed me off. One person gets sick, and everyone gets it because they're all breathing the same disgusting air for 2 hours. You would think there would be public safety requirements for public buildings to have proper ventelation.