What if everything we did in private had a public manifestation, so that our behavior would be broadcast to everyone who saw us?  Like with smoking, for instance.  Even though a person may not be presently holding a cigarette (or cigar, pipe etc.), there is an odor which lingers on the clothing, the hair, the skin, which informs those close enough to smell that the person has recently enjoyed a tobacco product.

So, what if every action had an “odor?”  Imagine walking past someone at the grocery store and getting a whiff of “yelled at her husband over something trivial,” or a person with the scent of “volunteered at a retirement home today” crossed your path.

I imagine that good deeds would have pleasant smells, whereas less desirable behavior would be stinkier.

Would such publication of previous private actions have an effect on our choices?  Would it deter people from continuing to privately behave in ways they wouldn’t dare behave publicly?  Or, would it encourage more brazen behavior?  Would there be more undesirable behavior performed publicly?  I’m thinking blatant nose-picking on a large scale, and worse.

Also, what kind of effect would this have on altruism?  To me, one of the components of altruistic behavior is that good deeds are done on a private level, without accolades.  Perhaps, if actions had an odor, shy altruists would come to live a life where everything is ordered online and delivered directly to their homes.  They would only emerge to furtively perform their good deeds and then quickly retreat into their cocoon of anonymity.

Ideally, I would hope that these scented actions would bring out the best in people.  That mothers and wives would strive to improve their patience with their families (no small undertaking). that husbands would try to be more involved in familial activities, that CEOs and politicians would be more accountable for their actions (hey, as long as I’m being idealistic, why not dream big).

I guess this smelly concept is similar to the idea of how every deed we do is recorded and ultimately reviewed (after 120 years).  When watching the video of our lives, I’m sure every good deed will produce a warm fuzzy feeling and every misdeed a grimace and regret for wasted opportunity, time, etc.  However, this relatively abstract concept is hard to constantly keep in mind, no matter the value and benefit of such mindfulness.  That’s why if we all smelled a little like our actions, it would maybe be a better reminder.  Of course, maybe it would decrease our level of free-will, and then where would be the fun in choosing to do good?