Pioneers of Olfactory Perception: Contributions, Practices and Cultural Values of Olfactory Actors

Abstract

In the visual-dominated contemporary cultural context, olfaction, as one of the oldest human senses, has gradually returned to the center of academic and artistic attention. Based on the text People Who Make Good Use of Their Noses, this paper takes typical olfactory practitioners as the research object, including orchid bees in the biological world, olfactory designer Tasha Marks, environmental activist group Extinction Rebellion, mummification aromatics in ancient Egyptian archaeology, military educator illustrator William G. Day, as well as congenital anosmic individuals and neurobiological experts. Through interdisciplinary analysis of biology, design, environmental protection, archaeology, communication, medicine and sensory neuroscience, this paper systematically combs the multiple values of olfactory practice in biological evolution, cultural inheritance, social criticism, historical restoration, health education and inclusive life. It reveals the important role of "olfactory intelligence" in breaking the visual hegemony, constructing sensory memory, transmitting cultural information and realizing inclusive perception. At the same time, combined with the perspective of sensory inclusion, this paper discusses the living experience and sensory rights of anosmic people, and puts forward the significance of reconstructing the pluralistic sensory value system. This study shows that the actors who "make good use of their noses" are not only practitioners of olfactory behavior, but also promoters of sensory culture. Their practices provide important enlightenment for the development of olfactory art, sensory design, olfactory ecosystem and humanistic care in the digital era.