In the End, how civilized we are, or aren't, is determined by how well, or ill, we handle--or deal with--Shit.

This is a comparison-battle that the Japanese, historically, have won hands-down. In the 17th century (¡Imagine!) what we now call the city of Tokyo (then Edo)--already the largest (most populous) city in the world--had adequate sewage disposal, and abundant, pure fresh water (conducted in wooden pipes). Do you have any idea ¿how bad things got in 19th century London, before they installed adequate sewage-disposal? The two faucets ("taps"), hot and cold, on every British sink, argue indirectly as well that, maybe, les sales anglais never did ever quite manage to supply themselves with wholly clean water.