Understanding the Corpse to Water Ratio Phenomenon: Insights from r/Showerthoughts

The concept of the "corpse to water ratio" has sparked intriguing discussions across various social media platforms, particularly on Reddit's r/Showerthoughts. A recent post by user "JollyTraveler" highlights the paradoxical behavior of humans when it comes to swimming in large bodies of water versus smaller pools. The post reads:

"People will swim in the ocean, even though there are definitely many corpses in it. People will not swim in a pool with a corpse in it. Humans all have a corpse:water ratio that is acceptable for them to swim in."

This thought-provoking statement has generated numerous comments and debates, with users offering their perspectives on why visibility plays a crucial role in this behavior.

User "th***serkingblacksmith" succinctly puts it: "It’s called ‘being able to see the corpse’," suggesting that the visibility of a corpse greatly influences a person's willingness to swim in the water. Another user, "lokipagan," adds a hypothetical scenario to the discussion: "So if I put you in an L-shaped swimming pool, and you knew there was a corpse around the corner, you’d be fine?"

The conversation takes a humorous turn with "mwagneto," who comments: "loving the implication that I'm a little animal and you're a scientist putting me into various bodies of water to test my corpse:water ratio tolerance," highlighting the absurdity of the situation.

This post has drawn attention not only for its unique perspective on human behavior but also for its ability to blend humor with a macabre topic. Various comments have pointed out related real-world scenarios that further emphasize the importance of visibility when it comes to swimming in water with potential hazards.

For example, one user shares a link to a CBS News article about a murky pool that hid a dead body for two days, underscoring the fact that what remains unseen can indeed affect our actions. Another comment references a tragic incident in Fall River, MA, where a woman drowned in a public pool and was not found for three days due to the murky water.

This discussion also touches on broader concerns about water cleanliness and safety. Comments about pollution, raw sewage, and other contaminants in the water raise valid points about why one might be hesitant to swim, regardless of any corpses present.

The concept of an acceptable "corpse to water ratio" may seem bizarre, but it effectively captures the human tendency to overlook potential dangers in certain contexts while being highly sensitive to them in others. This Reddit thread serves as a fascinating case study on human psychology, social behavior, and our complex relationship with fear and cleanliness.