In his book The Curse of the Self: Self-Awareness, Egotism, and the Quality of Human Life author Mark Richard Leary explains how a great deal of unhappiness is due to people's inability to exert control over their thoughts and behavior and that "stupid stunts", including lighting flatulence, were a way to make an impression and be included in group bonding or hazing.
Dalam bukunya, The Curse of the Self: Self-Awareness, Egotism, and the Quality of Human Life pengarang Mark Richard Leary menjelaskan betapa banyak ketidakbahagiaan terjadi karena ketidakmampuan masyarakat untuk melakukan kontrol atas pikiran dan perilaku mereka dan bahwa "aksi bodoh", termasuk menyalakan kentut, adalah cara untuk membuat orang-orang terkesan dan dimasukkan ke dalam ikatan kelompok atau sebagai perpeloncoan.