Human beings have a better sense of smell than you might expect. Sure, we’re no bloodhounds, but a scientific study from 2014 estimated that the human nose could distinguish, in theory, up to a trillion different odors. The only problem is, it’s very hard to describe most scents. We can classify shapes and colors precisely, and have hundreds of sound words to differentiate booms and bangs from buzzes and beeps. We just don’t have a vocabulary for odors beyond vague descriptors like “wet dog” or “chemically.”Harold...

Source: Wall Street Journal October 22, 2020 23:15 UTC