Dear Problem Solvers,

When we live together, we create problems. And just as each of us individually adds to the problem, it takes all of us together to fix the problem.

In the year 1858, the city of London had a big problem. And it was a problem that has been facing humanity forever: how to safely get rid of human waste. Their current solution–flushing it into the River Thames–wasn’t working. Not only did the city smell terrible, but the waste in the river carried disease. So they had to find a solution.

It’s nice to think we’re independent and can fix everything ourselves. And we can sometimes. But poop really shows our interdependence. Because when we flush it away, it ends up somewhere else.

Sincerely,

Mr. Heimbuck