hygienias

Hygienias is a fictional concept, primarily appearing in speculative fiction and sometimes used in discussions of potential future societal developments. It refers to a state of extreme and pervasive personal and public cleanliness, often to a degree that might be considered obsessive or unnatural by contemporary standards. In its fictional portrayals, hygienias can arise from various causes, including advanced technological capabilities in sanitation, widespread public health crises necessitating stringent hygiene protocols, or philosophical movements prioritizing purity and health above all else.

The implications of a society characterized by hygienias are often explored in these narratives. These can range from the elimination of most infectious diseases and greatly extended lifespans to the potential for social isolation, excessive control over individual behavior, and a sterile, unfeeling environment. The concept can serve as a cautionary tale about the potential downsides of unchecked technological advancement or the pursuit of perfection, highlighting the trade-offs between safety and other human values like freedom, spontaneity, and human connection. While the term itself is not widely established in academic or scientific discourse, it effectively encapsulates the idea of an extreme societal focus on cleanliness and its potential consequences.