NationStates Jolt Archive

I personally am not, and I think it's stupid to be afraid of spiders, most of them aren't even poisonous and the ones that are hardly ever really do anything really bad to you, and the ones that do are located in specific areas.

so why are some people afraid of spiders? are they stupid? were they raised up and indoctrinated with spider fear?

answer now.

Because the Spider-God is mighty and wrathful.

I'm not afraid of spiders. But I am grossed out by swarms of icky crawly things.

It almost always seems to be really macho guys who are afraid of spiders. My brother-in-law is a Wing-Chun Kung-Fu master and he screams like a girl if he even suspects there's a spider in the room. He's my hero!

I personally am not, and I think it's stupid to be afraid of spiders, most of them aren't even poisonous and the ones that are hardly ever really do anything really bad to you, and the ones that do are located in specific areas.

so why are some people afraid of spiders? are they stupid? were they raised up and indoctrinated with spider fear?

answer now.

I don't know. Maybe it's Spiderman that's scary...

people are afraid of spiders because spiders are SCARY!

they can bite you. they are quiet and sneak up on you and BITE YOU!

and they have all those legs! 8 legs! thats even more than a junebug has and junebugs are scary too!

Because the Spider-God is mighty and wrathful.It's not so much the mighty, wrathful thing, it's more that it don't shave it's legs.

people are afraid of spiders because spiders are SCARY!

they can bite you. they are quiet and sneak up on you and BITE YOU!

and they have all those legs! 8 legs! thats even more than a junebug has and junebugs are scary too!

do you have empirical proof for this? isn't it irrational to assume that spiders are out to get you?

spiders act suspiciously and are often seen in government buildings...and there was bound to be at least one web in the twin towers!

plus they move quickly and look creepy...like moths only that fear is rational

i just don't like the big ones or the poisonous ones

people are afraid of spiders because spiders are SCARY!

they can bite you. they are quiet and sneak up on you and BITE YOU!

and they have all those legs! 8 legs! thats even more than a junebug has and junebugs are scary too!

or they make a nest in your ear

Evidently such people are not stupid, as I am one of them. I'm afraid of spiders and, even more so, ants. On a conscious level, I fully realize the irrationality and uselessness of such fears, but it doesn't help. I have always been, and will be, afraid of them, and there's nothing (except maybe hypnotherapy) that can do anything about it.

There are theories as to from where these phobias emerge. The most common one is that they're some remnants of animal instincts from a time, when poisonous animals posed a real threat to the survival of the individual. Whatever the reason is, trust me when I say that it is in no way rational or conscious, and it cannot be cured with logical arguments.

Funny thing is, I'm not the least bit afraid of animals that could actually be dangerous, such as snakes.

do you have empirical proof for this? isn't it irrational to assume that spiders are out to get you?

i have had a deeply personal experience with spiders that is well beyond my ability to describe lucidly.

besides WHAT IF IM RIGHT?

if im right and you dont believe me, you risk being bitten by a spider and getting very sick from it.

if im right and you DO believe me, you avoid being bitten by a spider

if im wrong and you believe me, you have avoided spider--nasty icky things--no harm no foul!

if im wrong and you dont believe me, what do you gain? you cant make friends with spiders (the nasty icky things!)

its a simple wager.

i have had a deeply personal experience with spiders that is well beyond my ability to describe lucidly.

besides WHAT IF IM RIGHT?

if im right and you dont believe me, you risk being bitten by a spider and getting very sick from it.

if im right and you DO believe me, you avoid being bitten by a spider

if im wrong and you believe me, you have avoided spider--nasty icky things--no harm no foul!

if im wrong and you dont believe me, what do you gain? you cant make friends with spiders (the nasty icky things!)

its a simple wager.

that is illogical[/spock]

I personally am not, and I think it's stupid to be afraid of spiders, most of them aren't even poisonous and the ones that are hardly ever really do anything really bad to you, and the ones that do are located in specific areas.

so why are some people afraid of spiders? are they stupid? were they raised up and indoctrinated with spider fear?

answer now.

I don't understand it at all. There is such an exquisite beauty to spiders...

http://magickcanoe.com/spiders/flower-spider-eyes-large.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/1545/yvtha56ett5q2k6uyuez5awzo1.jpg

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Evidently such people are not stupid, as I am one of them. I'm afraid of spiders and, even more so, ants. On a conscious level, I fully realize the irrationality and uselessness of such fears, but it doesn't help. I have always been, and will be, afraid of them, and there's nothing (except maybe hypnotherapy) that can do anything about it.

There are theories as to from where these phobias emerge. The most common one is that they're some remnants of animal instincts from a time, when poisonous animals posed a real threat to the survival of the individual. Whatever the reason is, trust me when I say that it is in no way rational or conscious, and it cannot be cured with logical arguments.

Funny thing is, I'm not the least bit afraid of animals that could actually be dangerous, such as snakes.

youre afraid of ants?

even ONE tiny little black ant?

There are theories as to from where these phobias emerge. The most common one is that they're some remnants of animal instincts from a time, when poisonous animals posed a real threat to the survival of the individual. Whatever the reason is, trust me when I say that it is in no way rational or conscious, and it cannot be cured with logical arguments.

Funny thing is, I'm not the least bit afraid of animals that could actually be dangerous, such as snakes.

The idea isn't that we are born scared of snakes or spiders but that our brains have evolved because of said threat to make it easier to adopt these phobias. This is why you need to stop children from running out into the road - cars posed no threat to cavemen so children have to learn the dangers of cars.

I don't understand it at all. There is such an exquisite beauty to spiders...


Is that spider supposed to look like it has big red eyes, a nose and buck teeth? I've never really considered buck teeth to be exquisitely beautiful..

that is illogical[/spock]

and yet, if you sign onto my theory that spiders are scary and will bite you, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

so why not decide to be afraid of spiders?

The idea isn't that we are born scared of snakes or spiders but that our brains have evolved because of said threat to make it easier to adopt these phobias. This is why you need to stop children from running out into the road - cars posed no threat to cavemen so children have to learn the dangers of cars.

Hmm. I think I may have found a productive use for my time machine.

Lolth </geek>

Because the Spider-God is mighty and wrathful.

Best explanation I've heard yet!

Phobias aren't supposed to be logical - a friend of mine is absolutely terrified of spiders, and according to her its not because they've got too many legs (if you chopped off 4 legs she'd still be scared) but just that all spiders have too many legs, and all spiders are scary. Seriously, even cuddly ones.

They are alien, with the many eyes and many legs and skittering, and shooting sticky stuff out of their ass.

But they make awesome photography subjects once you get over OMG is it gonna TOUCH me?

and yet, if you sign onto my theory that spiders are scary and will bite you, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

so why not decide to be afraid of spiders?

because only stupid people are afraid of spiders, it's illogical and irrational to be afraid of them. because I am an intellectual and quite a bit larger than even the largest spider, I can't be afraid of them. in fact I hope that all the people who are afraid of them somehow come to and realize how stupid it is, because their phobia offends me and it makes my daily life burdensome just to know that so many arachniphobes live in my country, it makes me look stupid by comparison, and that's just wrong.

Is that spider supposed to look like it has big red eyes, a nose and buck teeth? I've never really considered buck teeth to be exquisitely beautiful..

Arguably, it's not the best angle - I've seen these perched atop of milkweed flowers, and it's quite uncanny as they look at first glance to be a part of the flower... but the ones I've come across were a whiter tint of green, and the twin streaks along the abdomen were more often than not a delicate purple.

Oh, and the streaks have a waffling, curvy quality to them. Gorgeous.

http://ww3.ac-creteil.fr/svt/IMG/jpg/Misumena_vatia15.jpg

Yeah, a bit more like this one, but with more of a wave to the streak - and purple, too.

youre afraid of ants?

even ONE tiny little black ant?

Actually the small black ones don't bother me, but anything even slightly bigger than that will cause a violent reaction. I can't stand still, when there are ants on the ground; I keep treading my feet to prevent ants from getting on them. If I see an ant on my body, I will jump up in panic, and possibly scream like a little girl. The condition is known as myrmecophobia, and it has a severe adverse effect on my life. I often have to work in forests in my usual summer job, and my parents' house in the countryside is surrounded by forests with unusually large amounts of ants.

Stop laughing. It's serious. :(

I don't understand it at all. There is such an exquisite beauty to spiders...

I completely agree with the beauty part, and I love looking at spiders. As long as there's something solid or enough distance between us, that is. I don't know why I'm afraid of them, but it has nothing to do with their appearance.

I personally am not, and I think it's stupid to be afraid of spiders, most of them aren't even poisonous and the ones that are hardly ever really do anything really bad to you, and the ones that do are located in specific areas.

so why are some people afraid of spiders? are they stupid? were they raised up and indoctrinated with spider fear?

answer now.

The more pertinent question is: Why are some people not afraid of spiders?

because only stupid people are afraid of spiders, it's illogical and irrational to be afraid of them. because I am an intellectual and quite a bit larger than even the largest spider, I can't be afraid of them. in fact I hope that all the people who are afraid of them somehow come to and realize how stupid it is, because their phobia offends me and it makes my daily life burdensome just to know that so many arachniphobes live in my country, it makes me look stupid by comparison, and that's just wrong.

thats a terrible thing to say!

fear of spiders is a survival mechanism. after all, when one sneaks up on you and is walking across the back of your neck you dont know if its a harmless daddy long legs or a deadly brown recluse! so its SMART to panic and kill the icky thing!

many smart people are afraid of spiders.

it's just an irrational fear just like any clinically identified phobia. there's no way an individual without pschiatric/psychological training can explain their phobia beyond that. personally i am scared of spiders, even the thouht of spiders makes shiver and if i'm fealing particularly imaginative i will end up making myself writhe around from the thought of spiders and being near them. even a picture of a spider makes me jump. there's no logical explanation for why a picture of anything should make me feel so uncomfortable that i must instantly turn away and try and purge my mind of the image. if i don't do this i will not sleep for the tricks my imagination will play on me, and i won't be able to close my eyes in the shower in case a spider suddenly appears, or reach to the back of a cupboard in case there is a spider there. my mum wanted me to clean out the garden shed while i was back for easter, i couldn't even set foot in there for fear of spiders. i know it sounds utterly, pathetic, but what can i say, it's irrational. if i see a spider and no-one else is around i will try and get rid of it, but i'm usually shaking so much i end up killing it anyway. i think it is the way they move that freaks me out the most, they're so fast and when they stop they look like they're watching you. eueuhghgh!!.... i'm creeping mself out just writing this post... i need a drink.

The more pertinent question is: Why are some people not afraid of spiders?

EXACTLY!

why are you NOT afraid of something that can make you very sick when it bites you?

Spiders, feh. I'm not scared of spiders unless they are a certain size... daddy long legs, though, I used to play with them on the playground when I was five. :p

As for the bigger spiders that do creep me out, let's just say that thunderstorms freak me out more. :(

Actually the small black ones don't bother me, but anything even slightly bigger than that will cause a violent reaction. I can't stand still, when there are ants on the ground; I keep treading my feet to prevent ants from getting on them. If I see an ant on my body, I will jump up in panic, and possibly scream like a little girl. The condition is known as myrmecophobia, and it has a severe adverse effect on my life. I often have to work in forests in my usual summer job, and my parents' house in the countryside is surrounded by forests with unusually large amounts of ants.

Stop laughing. It's serious. :(



i can see that it would be! ive even seen ants in high story hotel rooms.

this is supposed to be a parody of the 'why are some people christians' thread isn't it? well i never expressed any opinion that the religious are stupid, misguided perhaps, but i am not offended by this as their religion generally does not affect me.

because only stupid people are afraid of spiders, it's illogical and irrational to be afraid of them. because I am an intellectual and quite a bit larger than even the largest spider, I can't be afraid of them. in fact I hope that all the people who are afraid of them somehow come to and realize how stupid it is, because their phobia offends me and it makes my daily life burdensome just to know that so many arachniphobes live in my country, it makes me look stupid by comparison, and that's just wrong.

I'll have to disagree with you. I am not stupid. I am afraid of spiders -- and arachnophobia is quite a common phobia to have.

I am fully aware that it is an irrational fear, and that I am bigger than it, but that doesn't change the fact that I fear them. If I can I'll use a bit of cardboard to scoop them up and put them outside my house; if they are unrelocatable, I am afraid that I kill them because I don't want them crawling on me. (I had that happen while I was driving -- not fun to have one tickling its way up your arm when you're scared of them and trying to figure out how to get over to the shoulder and get it off.)

Why are people afraid of mice? or dogs? or heights? or flying? Those are all irrational fears -- and very common ones.

I personally am not, and I think it's stupid to be afraid of spiders, most of them aren't even poisonous and the ones that are hardly ever really do anything really bad to you, and the ones that do are located in specific areas.

so why are some people afraid of spiders? are they stupid? were they raised up and indoctrinated with spider fear?

answer now.

I don't know, though I confess that, while I'm not afraid of them, they can make me nervous. I have no idea why. There actually are two breeds of incredibly poisonous spiders where I live, and I know for a fact that there has been at least one of them (a Black Widow) in my garage before. However, I'm not worried that some random spider will turn out to be one of them. I just don't like spiders. I don't know why. I think I read once that it goes back to the caveman days. :confused:

Arguably, it's not the best angle - I've seen these perched atop of milkweed flowers, and it's quite uncanny as they look at first glance to be a part of the flower... but the ones I've come across were a whiter tint of green, and the twin streaks along the abdomen were more often than not a delicate purple.

Oh, and the streaks have a waffling, curvy quality to them. Gorgeous.

http://ww3.ac-creteil.fr/svt/IMG/jpg/Misumena_vatia15.jpg

Yeah, a bit more like this one, but with more of a wave to the streak - and purple, too.

Why do I get the distinct impression that posting these photos has less to do with your appreciation of arachnid beauty, and more your appreciation of people's arachnophobia?

Evil, evil Dobbs.

And yes, that was a nice pic. I've never had a problem with spiders. They eat all the other little buggers. They're cool in my book.

As long as they aren't interupting me during shower time. That's a bit too much intrusion.

it's just an irrational fear

Yes, yes it is.

i think it is the way they move that freaks me out the most

That's what tends to freak a lot of people out, I think. Though it's good that you can recognize what it is about the spider that upsets you so.

they're so fast and when they stop they look like they're watching you. eueuhghgh!!

Well, a lot of the time they are watching you. That's not nearly as troublesome as the ones who don't perceive you at all, though. Those are the ones that cause all the fuss among arachnophobes when they blithely crawl onto someone's shoulder by accident.

No one ever said phobias were rational - if they were and people still persisted in them, there might be an argument for the stupidity of a phobia of spiders (or anything else). By definition, a phobia is an irrational fear.

I certainly can't equate someone suffering from a phobia is being "stupid." As far as it being an evolutionary hold-over, I think the explanation is more complex. There is something in humans that is wired to respond to anything "small and skittery" - spiders can certainly fit the category but they're one of a number of creatures that fit the criteria and can evoke a response like that. There are plenty of spiders out there that are dangerous and many of them exist in places where the first humans evolved - that and snakes and a number of other small but potentially hazardous creatures.

On the other hand, there are places in the world where spiders are a delicacy - obviously cultural upbringing plays a role too.

Either way, those are hard things in a person's psyche to fight - even for the most intelligent of people.

Yes, yes it is.
That's what tends to freak a lot of people out, I think. Though it's good that you can recognize what it is about the spider that upsets you so.
Well, a lot of the time they are watching you. That's not nearly as troublesome as the ones who don't perceive you at all, though. Those are the ones that cause all the fuss among arachnophobes when they blithely crawl onto someone's shoulder by accident.

yes, that is damn right. i was once sitting in bed in my room at uni with the covers over my lap reading a book. i threw off the covers to get up out of bed and saw a huge spider just sitting there next to me obviously enjoying the warmth. i totally freaked out but didn't recover quick enough to catch it and it ran down and behind the bed. needless to say i didn't sleep well that night and i had to move the bed in to the centre of the room as i thought then it would be less likely to 'get' me. i saw it again a few days later slowly crawling under the bed, so i stood on it hard.

thats a terrible thing to say!

fear of spiders is a survival mechanism. after all, when one sneaks up on you and is walking across the back of your neck you dont know if its a harmless daddy long legs or a deadly brown recluse! so its SMART to panic and kill the icky thing!

many smart people are afraid of spiders.

you have proof of that? smart people can have irrational beliefs?
EXACTLY!

why are you NOT afraid of something that can make you very sick when it bites you?
I haven't ever gotten really sick when bitten by a spider, not even the time I got bitten by a brown recluse.....I am sure that's everyone's experience.

I'll have to disagree with you. I am not stupid. I am afraid of spiders -- and arachnophobia is quite a common phobia to have.

I am fully aware that it is an irrational fear, and that I am bigger than it, but that doesn't change the fact that I fear them. If I can I'll use a bit of cardboard to scoop them up and put them outside my house; if they are unrelocatable, I am afraid that I kill them because I don't want them crawling on me. (I had that happen while I was driving -- not fun to have one tickling its way up your arm when you're scared of them and trying to figure out how to get over to the shoulder and get it off.)

Why are people afraid of mice? or dogs? or heights? or flying? Those are all irrational fears -- and very common ones.

many people believe a lot of things, I don't deny that. I just want to know if you know something is irrational why you continue to believe?

I am fully aware that it is an irrational fear, and that I am bigger than it, but that doesn't change the fact that I fear them. If I can I'll use a bit of cardboard to scoop them up and put them outside my house; if they are unrelocatable, I am afraid that I kill them because I don't want them crawling on me. (I had that happen while I was driving -- not fun to have one tickling its way up your arm when you're scared of them and trying to figure out how to get over to the shoulder and get it off.)

If I feel anything crawling on me (especially in the dark), I just make a point of very delicately brushing the offender off of me. I sometimes wander into the big webs that get put up overnight, but spider silk doesn't get to me the way it does some people.

Why are people afraid of mice? or dogs? or heights? or flying? Those are all irrational fears -- and very common ones.

I'm fine with extreme heights - the type where if you fell, death'd be a certainty. But you can't get me to say, go up on the roof of a three-storey building. Why? 'Cause if I fell, I most likely wouldn't die, but I'd certainly be in excruciating pain (and might end up a cripple).

because only stupid people are afraid of spiders, it's illogical and irrational to be afraid of them. because I am an intellectual and quite a bit larger than even the largest spider, I can't be afraid of them. in fact I hope that all the people who are afraid of them somehow come to and realize how stupid it is, because their phobia offends me and it makes my daily life burdensome just to know that so many arachniphobes live in my country, it makes me look stupid by comparison, and that's just wrong.

Somehow this makes me think about the people, who say that the people in third world countries could easily stop being poor by getting jobs.:rolleyes:

I'm an intellectual too, and I came to realize the stupidity of my fears already as a kid. The problem is, that realization won't make the fear go away. And I can't see how that fear could make your life even nearly as burdensome as it does ours.

Damn, that sounded a lot angrier than I meant.

Somehow this makes me think about the people, who say that the people in third world countries could easily stop being poor by getting jobs.:rolleyes:
it reminds me of other people too.

I'm an intellectual too, and I came to realize the stupidity of my fears already as a kid. The problem is, that realization won't make the fear go away. And I can't see how that fear could make your life even nearly as burdensome as it does ours.
why not? wouldn't logic dictate that you think like I do? I mean I realized that it was irrational and threw the fear out the window. I haven't been afraid of spiders in nearly 10 years, surely my life is better not being burdened by such an irrational fear.

Damn, that sounded a lot angrier than I meant.
no it didn't

yes, that is damn right. i was once sitting in bed in my room at uni with the covers over my lap reading a book. i threw off the covers to get up out of bed and saw a huge spider just sitting there next to me obviously enjoying the warmth. i totally freaked out but didn't recover quick enough to catch it and it ran down and behind the bed. needless to say i didn't sleep well that night and i had to move the bed in to the centre of the room as i thought then it would be less likely to 'get' me. i saw it again a few days later slowly crawling under the bed, so i stood on it hard.

Last summer I discovered a jumping spider in my garden that was a much, much larger variety than the ones I'm accustomed to seeing.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1d/Salticus_scenicus_with_a_fly_I.jpg
It looked rather like this but with more of a wedge-shaped striped abdomen

From head to abdomen, it was a good 3/4 of an inch (just slightly under 2 cm) in length. Now there was a spider that you knew could perceive you as an entire entity - not just a disembodied finger descending out of nowhere - from as much as three feet away.

I am afraid of spiders because they are so small and can crawl everywhere...they also look scary and disgusting. I would sooner fight a wolf or coyote than squash a black widow with a shoe.

you have proof of that? smart people can have irrational beliefs?


IM smart and *I* have beliefs that cant be proven scientifically. doesnt that prove something?


I haven't ever gotten really sick when bitten by a spider, not even the time I got bitten by a brown recluse.....I am sure that's everyone's experience.


i know some people who got bitten by spiders and got sick. LOTS of people are afraid of spiders!



many people believe a lot of things, I don't deny that. I just want to know if you know something is irrational why you continue to believe?

i believe it because its TRUE. there are several species of poisonous spiders here in new mexico, it would be a fool to not be afraid of them.

why not? wouldn't logic dictate that you think like I do? I mean I realized that it was irrational and threw the fear out the window. I haven't been afraid of spiders in nearly 10 years, surely my life is better not being burdened by such an irrational fear.


YEAH right up to the day when you get bit by a black widow and have to spend a few days in the hospital. THEN youll see that its not irrational at all.

I am afraid of spiders because they are so small and can crawl everywhere...they also look scary and disgusting. I would sooner fight a wolf or coyote than squash a black widow with a shoe.

ever seen a bird spider they not small

Originally Posted by Smunkeeville:

why not? wouldn't logic dictate that you think like I do? I mean I realized that it was irrational and threw the fear out the window.

Then you didn't have a phobia. If intelligence and rationality was the only element of the human mind, there'd be no such thing as a phobia. Or a fear, for that matter. You'd see something dangerous and take the appropriate response to the situation.

A phobia is something quite different. A person can be otherwise rational, logical and intelligent and STILL be quite subject to a phobia and act irrationally. We aren't, after all, computers that deal in strict terms of logic - if that's the standard you wish to hold people to, then get used to disappointment. Human minds are bundles of reactions, emotions, phobias, neuroses - logic and rationality do not have the field to themselves. In fact, they don't even have a majority vote a lot of the time.

I personally am not, and I think it's stupid to be afraid of spiders, most of them aren't even poisonous and the ones that are hardly ever really do anything really bad to you, and the ones that do are located in specific areas.

so why are some people afraid of spiders? are they stupid? were they raised up and indoctrinated with spider fear?

answer now.

Actually, turns out alot of phobias, such as fear of heights, is learned from your parents. So they prolly learned it from someone.

IM smart and *I* have beliefs that cant be proven scientifically. doesnt that prove something?



i know some people who got bitten by spiders and got sick. LOTS of people are afraid of spiders!




i believe it because its TRUE. there are several species of poisonous spiders here in new mexico, it would be a fool to not be afraid of them.



YEAH right up to the day when you get bit by a black widow and have to spend a few days in the hospital. THEN youll see that its not irrational at all.

interesting......you have a TG.

Last summer I discovered a jumping spider in my garden that was a much, much larger variety than the ones I'm accustomed to seeing.

[]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1d/Salticus_scenicus_with_a_fly_I.jpg[/IMG]
It looked rather like this but with more of a wedge-shaped striped abdomen

From head to abdomen, it was a good 3/4 of an inch (just slightly under 2 cm) in length. Now there was a spider that you knew could perceive you as an entire entity - not just a disembodied finger descending out of nowhere - from as much as three feet away.

eek! i actually think jumping spiders are kind of cute, but the ones i see are generally less than half a centimetre across.

Actually, turns out alot of phobias, such as fear of heights, is learned from your parents. So they prolly learned it from someone.

oh, so they just blindly believe it without putting thought into it then? well, that does make sense.

oh, so they just blindly believe it without putting thought into it then? well, that does make sense.

Actually, if you've been taught that from the time you were born by everyone around you, it does. By the time you can think about it rationally, the reaction is already deeply embedded.

ever seen a bird spider they not small

You just keep your huntsman spiders on your side of the international dateline. I don't want my clocks being eaten!:D

Why do I get the distinct impression that posting these photos has less to do with your appreciation of arachnid beauty, and more your appreciation of people's arachnophobia?

Yes, well I do venerate the archetype of Loki so I suppose there might be something to that analysis... but you must admit, as lifeforms go, they can be damned elegant.

Evil, evil Dobbs.

Oh, go on. Flatterer.

And yes, that was a nice pic. I've never had a problem with spiders. They eat all the other little buggers. They're cool in my book.

And that's the number one reason I've done nothing whatsoever to impede arachnids whenever & wherever I find them. Well, that and I've had some interesting spiritual experiences that involved the arachnid form. Let's just they're welcome in my home, a favoured animal.

As long as they aren't interupting me during shower time. That's a bit too much intrusion.

Well, they gotta drink water, too don't forget... anyway, I'll bet that the variety you get in your shower are those long-legged little green garden spiders, the ones who use their forelegs almost like antennae.

I personally am not, and I think it's stupid to be afraid of spiders, most of them aren't even poisonous and the ones that are hardly ever really do anything really bad to you, and the ones that do are located in specific areas.

so why are some people afraid of spiders? are they stupid? were they raised up and indoctrinated with spider fear?

answer now.

Why are some people afraid of pickles (I mean deathly afraid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUk_3eKL9Xk))? I don't think most phobias are rational but I wouldn't call someone stupid because they have an irrational fear.

My wife is afraid of heights and gets wobbley knees when she is only one step up on a ladder. She's not even sure why as she hasn't had anything happen to her that would be an obvious cause.

why not? wouldn't logic dictate that you think like I do? I mean I realized that it was irrational and threw the fear out the window. I haven't been afraid of spiders in nearly 10 years, surely my life is better not being burdened by such an irrational fear.

Your brain needs to be dissected in the name of science. You used to be arachnophobic, until you chose not to be? Wow.

I believe most, if not all, people realize the irrationality, and if they could do something about it, they would have done so already. Phobias are really not nice things to have. With time, I've been able to control the fear so that I don't freak out every time I see a spider or an ant; in fact, I can watch and admire them a for long time, and find it very enjoyable.

BTW, Dobbs posted some very nice pictures of Misumena Vatia. Thanks to him. It's one of my favorite spiders.

There is just no amount of logic, rationality or intelligence in the World that could make me touch one.

BTW, Dobbs posted some very nice pictures of Misumena Vatia. Thanks to him. It's one of my favorite spiders.

Mine, too. You're welcome - and thanks for the validation.

There is just no amount of logic, rationality or intelligence in the World that could make me touch one.

Yeah, that's a bit beyond a lot of people. You ought to see me leap into action when a nearby arachnophobe lunges at one, though. And in lieu of a handy piece of paper, I'll just herd 'em onto my sleeve and go for a short walk outside. I couldn't stand idly by and let one get creamed in my presence...

Why are some people afraid of pickles (I mean deathly afraid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUk_3eKL9Xk))? I don't think most phobias are rational but I wouldn't call someone stupid because they have an irrational fear.
why wouldn't you say they were stupid? it's illogical, surely that means at the very least that they haven't put much thought into their belief that spiders are scary?

Your brain needs to be dissected in the name of science. You used to be arachnophobic, until you chose not to be? Wow.
basic reason dictates that since I am bigger and can smush them, I really have nothing to fear. how people can't see that and wake up and discard their phobia is beyond me.

Here, Dobbs, you evil evil man....


http://gallery.photo.net/photo/2586805-lg.jpg

...just for you.

why wouldn't you say they were stupid? it's illogical, surely that means at the very least that they haven't put much thought into their belief that spiders are scary?

Because my wife isn't stupid. Shes always gotten great marks on her tests. Can a stupid person learn thigns well and get high marks in tough college courses? Are you calling my wife stupid?

Irrational does not equal stupid.

basic reason dictates that since I am bigger and can smush them, I really have nothing to fear. how people can't see that and wake up and discard their phobia is beyond me.

Kinda like how people can believe in something they can't see or prove exists, other than the fact that other people also have this same belief? :D

Kinda like how people believe in something they can't see or prove exists? :D

Thank you. I think a belief in faeries is more than likely irrational but I wouldnt call a person stupid for believing in them.

Mine, too. You're welcome - and thanks for the validation.

Anytime. Although the idea of this turning into a spider picture thread would seem disturbing and wrong on many levels, I wouldn't have anything against it.

Yeah, that's a bit beyond a lot of people. You ought to see me leap into action when a nearby arachnophobe lunges at one, though. And in lieu of a handy piece of paper, I'll just herd 'em onto my sleeve and go for a short walk outside. I couldn't stand idly by and let one get creamed in my presence...

I know some people like that. I, on the other hand, firmly believe that a good offence is the best defence when it comes to arachnids and other bugs. That doesn't always mean instant death sentence, but any smart spider does have a very strong me-phobia.

more pics for Dobbs:

http://www.minaxtarantulas.net/artiklar/lividum/Image3.jpg

http://www.spiderzrule.com/jewell.jpg

I like spiders, and my logic for doing so is as follows:

1. Spiders kill and eat things that are smaller than them
2. I am not smaller than a spider
3. Therefore, spiders kill and eat things that are, by their definition, not me

They also help combat insect problems without the use of chemicals that will probably make my skin turn bright orange, or some other annoying allergic reaction.

wow! isn't that flamebait?

why would it be? its just the honest opinion of a rational person.

because only stupid people are afraid of spiders, it's illogical and irrational to be afraid of them. because I am an intellectual and quite a bit larger than even the largest spider, I can't be afraid of them. in fact I hope that all the people who are afraid of them somehow come to and realize how stupid it is, because their phobia offends me and it makes my daily life burdensome just to know that so many arachniphobes live in my country, it makes me look stupid by comparison, and that's just wrong.

wow! isn't that flamebait?

basic reason dictates that since I am bigger and can smush them, I really have nothing to fear. how people can't see that and wake up and discard their phobia is beyond me.

Why doesn't a little kid who rationally knows there's no such thing as monsters stop jumping into bed (to keep away from its underside) and checking to make sure the closet door is shut. When I was a little kid- even long after I stopped believing in monsters- the dark shadows of an open closet still scared me. It's really the same thing. Though you know that nothing's going to happen, it still unnerves you nonetheless.

wow! isn't that flamebait?

No. Sorry.

because only stupid people are afraid of spiders, it's illogical and irrational to be afraid of them. because I am an intellectual and quite a bit larger than even the largest spider, I can't be afraid of them. in fact I hope that all the people who are afraid of them somehow come to and realize how stupid it is, because their phobia offends me and it makes my daily life burdensome just to know that so many arachniphobes live in my country, it makes me look stupid by comparison, and that's just wrong.

...

I hope you fear nothing, not even fear itself.

That was probably one of the more ridiculous and contradicting posts I have ever read. No offense, but the fact that arachniphobes live in your country should not make your daily life burdensome, or make you look stupid by comparison. That is irrational. What do you mean by that anyway? It makes you look stupid compared with the arachniphobes? Why does their phobia offend you anyway? What brought this on, are you in a relationship with a spider?:confused:

...
Anyway, I don't fear spiders but would prefer not to be bitten by a poisonous one. (or any for that matter) Just as I don't fear cars, but would prefer not to be hit by a moving or stationary one.

...

I hope you fear nothing, not even fear itself.

That was probably one of the more ridiculous and contradicting posts I have ever read. No offense, but the fact that arachniphobes live in your country should not make your daily life burdensome, or make you look stupid by comparison. That is irrational. What do you mean by that anyway? It makes you look stupid compared with the arachniphobes? Why does their phobia offend you anyway? What brought this on, are you in a relationship with a spider?:confused:

...
Anyway, I don't fear spiders but would prefer not to be bitten by a poisonous one. (or any for that matter) Just as I don't fear cars, but would prefer not to be hit by a moving or stationary one.

She's having a rough day; give her a break.

Trying to rationalize an inherently irrational, emotional, physiological response to something is completely foolish. When chemicals in your body are telling your sympathetic nervous system to activate out of fear, thinking about how silly your nervous system is for responding to something as tiny as a spider, isn't going to make a shitting difference.

Reason has its place, rationality has its place. You know what? So do emotions like fear, no matter how irrational you may think they are.

Personally? I don't much care about spiders. To me, a spider biting me is pretty much akin to me chewing on the floor boards simply because of the issue of scale. We aren't food, we aren't predators, and in their itty bitty little mind, we aren't naturally a threat until we act like it. More often then not I think they are pretty cool...

Does that mean I go out of my way to touch and play with them? Nope.

Does that mean I go out of my way to touch and play with them? Nope.
That's probably a good idea, spiders cheat like Hell at Monopoly.

She's having a rough day; give her a break.

Ah.

*tosses a piece of a Kit Kat bar to smunkee*

Spiders are creepy because they have far too many legs, move way too fast, can climb up walls, drop on you from ceilings, may or may not bite causing anything from irritating itchiness to... well, death, and those horror stories of spiders laying egg sacs in your ears to hatch do not help whatsoever.

P.S. Their webs are amazingly beautiful and Charlotte does not count. She's superiffically cool.

That's probably a good idea, spiders cheat like Hell at Monopoly.

That's okay, we're evenly matched in a game of Battleship.

Of course Arachnophobia is irrational, it's a phobia. From Websters Dictionary: Phobia - an uncontrollable, irrational, and persistent fear of a specific object, situation, or activity.

Am I correct in thinking you're trying to map this to the "Why are people Christians" thread? If that is the case you should have chosen something that is not, by it's very definition, irrational.

I don't understand it at all. There is such an exquisite beauty to spiders...

http://magickcanoe.com/spiders/flower-spider-eyes-large.jpg

That's a fantastic picture.

I like spiders. I wouldn't have one as a pet, but I'm more than happy to have them living in the house. I don't let my girlfriend kill them anymore. They're very useful because they eat the flies.

Here's one that lives in my house:

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g66/Boonytopia/DSC02781.jpg

and one that lives in my backyard:

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g66/Boonytopia/DSC03583.jpg

well im not afraid of spiders, but i am afraid of rats, so i wont pass judgement

Something seems familiar about this thread........
Spiders, feh. I'm not scared of spiders unless they are a certain size... daddy long legs, though, I used to play with them on the playground when I was five. :p

As for the bigger spiders that do creep me out, let's just say that thunderstorms freak me out more. :(

Daddy-Long-Legs aren't spiders, they're insects. They have 6 legs and wings.
They are also(I have heard, so take this with a pinch of salt) tremendously poisonous, and could easily kill a human if they wanted to eat us.

Something seems familiar about this thread........

this is supposed to be a parody of the 'why are some people christians' thread isn't it?

Hmm...
In other news, I can't think why WYTYG hasn't showed up yet. ;)

In other news, I can't think why WYTYG hasn't showed up yet. ;)

I was expecting her to be all over this thread. :p

Something seems familiar about this thread........


Daddy-Long-Legs aren't spiders, they're insects. They have 6 legs and wings.
They are also(I have heard, so take this with a pinch of salt) tremendously poisonous, and could easily kill a human if they wanted to eat us. 1. Your confusing Daddy-long-legs with Mosquito hawks.
2. Total myth. They even proved it on the "Mythbusters" TV show.

there's some neat arachnoid stuff here...the galleries are pretty...

http://www.arachnopets.com/

I'm scared of spiders, but it is completely rational. I don't know the differences between species of spiders just by looking at them, so they scare me because if I get bitten I could get seriously sick or die.

Something seems familiar about this thread........


Daddy-Long-Legs aren't spiders, they're insects. They have 6 legs and wings.
They are also(I have heard, so take this with a pinch of salt) tremendously poisonous, and could easily kill a human if they wanted to eat us.

Ifreann your right up to a point. In the UK/Ireland was is called a daddy long legs is a six legged insect with wings.
But I believe in the US they use the term to describe a spider.

The poison myth i think has already been mentioned that its a myth.

EDIT: just went on to wiki. It appears there are 3 uses for daddy long legs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daddy_long_legs)

imaging walking into a web like this.

http://www.loria.fr/~vthomas/images/spider/toile.jpg

I'm fine with them as long as they stay outside. I don't like the hairy ones - some of those eat birds.

I'm fine with them as long as they stay outside. I don't like the hairy ones - some of those eat birds.

Um... birds?

Did you know that some of the bigger spiders can jump six feet?


http://www.desertusa.com/video_pages/du_tarantula_movie.html

http://www.google.com/search?q=brown+recluse+spiders&revid=1505363854&sa=X&oi=revisions_inline&resnum=0&ct=broad-revision&cd=4

Um... birds?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goliath_birdeater

... although if you don't live in a South American jungle...

Some people are afraid of spiders because some spiders can kill a human.

I am afraid of bandsaws. I know that I'm not going to put my head on the bench and lunge at the moving blade with my throat, but they still scare me. There is the potential of my death there, the option, and that scares me.

I killed a spider today. It was a juvenile Golden Orb, utterly harmless to humans and a very clever web-spinner. It was getting in the way of some paint I was putting on, and I wouldn't waste the minute it would take to relocate the poor little thing. I feel bad about that.

Usually, I consider spiders my ally against annoying insects.

It's that first two seconds. Even that tiny a brain understands when you back away without sudden movements. Peace and love to all arachnids, my allies against annoying insects.

Of course Arachnophobia is irrational, it's a phobia. From Websters Dictionary: Phobia - an uncontrollable, irrational, and persistent fear of a specific object, situation, or activity.

Am I correct in thinking you're trying to map this to the "Why are people Christians" thread? If that is the case you should have chosen something that is not, by it's very definition, irrational.

it may not be a perfect metaphor but the accusation of stupidity IS parallel with those who attack christians on this forum.

as it is quite easy to see that calling someone stupid for fearing spiders is completely wrong, perhaps those who call christians stupid for believing in god can take a lesson from this thread.

I personally am not, and I think it's stupid to be afraid of spiders, most of them aren't even poisonous and the ones that are hardly ever really do anything really bad to you, and the ones that do are located in specific areas.

so why are some people afraid of spiders? are they stupid? were they raised up and indoctrinated with spider fear?

answer now.

I'm not afraid of spiders, unless they come in huge swarms.
I HATE THEM! Frickin' 8-eyed BEMs!

Because my wife isn't stupid. Shes always gotten great marks on her tests. Can a stupid person learn thigns well and get high marks in tough college courses? Are you calling my wife stupid?
I am sorry if I offended your wife, surely the opinion of some random person on the internet isn't hurtful enough to damage her though, I mean really, she shouldn't care. I just have my opinion, that's all.

Irrational does not equal stupid.
really?! :eek: maybe you should pass that around because for a few weeks, I thought they were synonymous around here.
Kinda like how people can believe in something they can't see or prove exists, other than the fact that other people also have this same belief? :D
ZOMG! it's exactly like that.

wow! isn't that flamebait?
nope. it's not even flaming to call them stupid or idiotic. I have been called both numerous times, reported it, and got a "grow a thicker skin"


Why doesn't a little kid who rationally knows there's no such thing as monsters stop jumping into bed (to keep away from its underside) and checking to make sure the closet door is shut. When I was a little kid- even long after I stopped believing in monsters- the dark shadows of an open closet still scared me. It's really the same thing. Though you know that nothing's going to happen, it still unnerves you nonetheless.
kids tend to believe what their parents tell them, even after you grow up and can think about it rationally you are still brainwashed.
...I hope you fear nothing, not even fear itself.

That was probably one of the more ridiculous and contradicting posts I have ever read. No offense, but the fact that arachniphobes live in your country should not make your daily life burdensome, or make you look stupid by comparison. That is irrational. What do you mean by that anyway? It makes you look stupid compared with the arachniphobes? Why does their phobia offend you anyway? What brought this on, are you in a relationship with a spider?:confused:
it is so ridiculous and contradictory I almost couldn't type it, to tell you the truth.

In fact, I do think it's silly to be afraid of spiders, I would never ever really call someone stupid for it. (although I might hint at it for purely educational reasons)

I actually have OCD so I have my own irrational fears to deal with (spiders not included). Even more than that, I am a Christian, and I have been treated in the same way that I have been treating you guys, for a while now. It sucks doesn't it?

My husband is really really deathly afraid of spiders, once he saw one in the house while I was out of town......so he left and slept in a hotel until I got back. He is getting better, he saw one a few years back while I was out of town and just didn't go in that room for a few days until I was back. I seriously can not understand his fear, he can tell me that he knows it's irrational, but he just can't shake it. This man, 6ft 4in 220lbs big and scary and muscled is afraid of a spider smaller than a penny. :confused: I respect that he is though, as much as I can, because like I said I have my own stuff to deal with. People say 'why do you believe in God?' and I say I just do. They come up with all their "logic" and I just can't shake it. I know it's not the most rational idea around, but really it doesn't affect anyone else.
Am I correct in thinking you're trying to map this to the "Why are people Christians" thread? If that is the case you should have chosen something that is not, by it's very definition, irrational.
I think I picked a fine subject, nearly everyone has some sort of irrational fear of spiders, and a lot of them really got defensive trying to protect their right to their irrational belief.......and yeah, phobia's definition is irrational, but guess what? faith is pretty irrational too.

Using spiders to defend faith in God? This thread is amusing to no end.

Well, more about the thread, around here it is completely natural and logical to be afraid of spiders, they are big, ugly and poisonous. they can kill you, it is completely logical to be afraid of tarántulas. Yep, I live in northern South America ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goliath_birdeater )

You are also bigger than snakes and can crush them, and yet the thing can kill you.

Yet let us dwell deeper into the phobia thing. I am deeply afraid of night moths, that are completely and absolutely inoffensive. Those things can be bigger than a bird around here, and utterly scary, yet my phobia comes from the fact that once when I was 12 I was laughing out loud and one of those huge things made a dive directly at my wide open mouth. The worst part is that I involuntarily chewed it when I closed my mouth. It still gives me the chills as I write this, and have deep desires of brushing my teeth.

Then my fear is completely irrational, and traumatic. I flee in terror when I see one of those flying or posed over something. My brothers used to pick them and place them on my hair just to see me running and screaming. Yet, it is a psychological issue, and we must deal with it. Please do not take drugs for phobias, and therapy doesn't seem to have any effect.

And Smunkee, calling the people that is afraid of spiders stupid is as idiotic as calling people stupid for believing in God or being christians. I guess I am a double idiot because I am afraid of something that is even more harmless than a spider. Actually, both faith and phobia are harmless, as long as the people doesn't try to impose their beliefs or phobias into the rest of the population of the world. Sadly, I haven't seen people trying to convince others of being afraid of spiders, or trying to convert them into the "Spiderfearity", or even more, criticizing other as heathens because they are not afraid of spideys. With religion, I can't say the same.

I thought you were above that. I really respect your beliefs, please respect my phobias. (Sorry about the vague post, I'm feeling dizzy and disperse today)

moths are scary because they fly at random. *nod*

Using spiders to defend faith in God? This thread is amusing to no end.

Well, more about the thread, around here it is completely natural and logical to be afraid of spiders, they are big, ugly and poisonous. they can kill you, it is completely logical to be afraid of tarántulas. Yep, I live in northern South America ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goliath_birdeater )

You are also bigger than snakes and can crush them, and yet the thing can kill you.

Yet let us dwell deeper into the phobia thing. I am deeply afraid of night moths, that are completely and absolutely inoffensive. Those things can be bigger than a bird around here, and utterly scary, yet my phobia comes from the fact that once when I was 12 I was laughing out loud and one of those huge things made a dive directly at my wide open mouth. The worst part is that I involuntarily chewed it when I closed my mouth. It still gives me the chills as I write this, and have deep desires of brushing my teeth.

Then my fear is completely irrational, and traumatic. I flee in terror when I see one of those flying or posed over something. My brothers used to pick them and place them on my hair just to see me running and screaming. Yet, it is a psychological issue, and we must deal with it. Please do not take drugs for phobias, and therapy doesn't seem to have any effect.

And Smunkee, calling the people that is afraid of spiders stupid is as idiotic as calling people stupid for believing in God or being christians. I guess I am a double idiot because I am afraid of something that is even more harmless than a spider. Actually, both faith and phobia are harmless, as long as the people doesn't try to impose their beliefs or phobias into the rest of the population of the world. Sadly, I haven't seen people trying to convince others of being afraid of spiders, or trying to convert them into the "Spiderfearity", or even more, criticizing other as heathens because they are not afraid of spideys. With religion, I can't say the same.

I thought you were above that. I really respect your beliefs, please respect my phobias. (Sorry about the vague post, I'm feeling dizzy and disperse today)

I personally am not, and I think it's stupid to be afraid of spiders, most of them aren't even poisonous and the ones that are hardly ever really do anything really bad to you, and the ones that do are located in specific areas.

so why are some people afraid of spiders? are they stupid? were they raised up and indoctrinated with spider fear?

answer now.

Eight eyes. Bristley hair. Eight eyes. Fangs. Eight eyes. Eight legs. Eight eyes.

moths are scary because they fly at random. *nod*

It may seem random - but that is their cunning plan

I'm usually not scared of spiders. Actually, I think they're quite fascinating and it's always fun to watch them catch an insect in their web. The only time spiders freak me out is when there is a huge closeup picture of them in a book. It looks like it's going to jump out and it always makes me flinch when I see it.

I am sorry if I offended your wife, surely the opinion of some random person on the internet isn't hurtful enough to damage her though, I mean really, she shouldn't care. I just have my opinion, that's all.


really?! :eek: maybe you should pass that around because for a few weeks, I thought they were synonymous around here.

ZOMG! it's exactly like that.


nope. it's not even flaming to call them stupid or idiotic. I have been called both numerous times, reported it, and got a "grow a thicker skin"



kids tend to believe what their parents tell them, even after you grow up and can think about it rationally you are still brainwashed.

it is so ridiculous and contradictory I almost couldn't type it, to tell you the truth.

In fact, I do think it's silly to be afraid of spiders, I would never ever really call someone stupid for it. (although I might hint at it for purely educational reasons)

I actually have OCD so I have my own irrational fears to deal with (spiders not included). Even more than that, I am a Christian, and I have been treated in the same way that I have been treating you guys, for a while now. It sucks doesn't it?

My husband is really really deathly afraid of spiders, once he saw one in the house while I was out of town......so he left and slept in a hotel until I got back. He is getting better, he saw one a few years back while I was out of town and just didn't go in that room for a few days until I was back. I seriously can not understand his fear, he can tell me that he knows it's irrational, but he just can't shake it. This man, 6ft 4in 220lbs big and scary and muscled is afraid of a spider smaller than a penny. :confused: I respect that he is though, as much as I can, because like I said I have my own stuff to deal with. People say 'why do you believe in God?' and I say I just do. They come up with all their "logic" and I just can't shake it. I know it's not the most rational idea around, but really it doesn't affect anyone else.

I think I picked a fine subject, nearly everyone has some sort of irrational fear of spiders, and a lot of them really got defensive trying to protect their right to their irrational belief.......and yeah, phobia's definition is irrational, but guess what? faith is pretty irrational too.


You didn't offend my wife as she doesn't frequent this board. You are right that people shouldn't be offended by the opinions of people on the internet. They ARE only opinions which are easy to ignore if you really wish to. Had I felt that you were actually calling my wife stupid, I would merely have said sorry for defending you and ignored you because your opinions wouldnt be worth considering. I've often defended peoples right to believe as they wish (on this board and elsewhere) as long as they don't force said beliefs on others. I'm sorry you are still upset that a couple people have been asshats to you.




Toltec Wisdom of don Miguel Ruiz
The Four Agreements

1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don't Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don't Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

If only the metaphor of christians to arachnophobes actually worked. Homosexuals don't get denied civil rights because people are afraid of spiders.

I'm sorry you are still upset that a couple people have been asshats to you.

still upset? they continue. Yesterday the statement was made that in order to be a Christian you have to "be living and have an IQ of less than 110"

I could dig up at least 10 posts from this week that say something similar.

still upset? they continue. Yesterday the statement was made that in order to be a Christian you have to "be living and have an IQ of less than 110"

I could dig up at least 10 posts from this week that say something similar.

Meh, forget about them and just remain as you are.

Smunkee, What is your favourite theological virtue?

EDIT: Sorry about that, I have just realized the virtues are for catholics only. Nevermind

still upset? they continue. Yesterday the statement was made that in order to be a Christian you have to "be living and have an IQ of less than 110"

I could dig up at least 10 posts from this week that say something similar.

So then, why do you continue to pay attention so someone who acts like that?

I feel that showing the asshattery of someones ways by emulating them might get the point across to people who already know better but probably not to the asshats it's directed at. In other words, I don't think it's goint to make a difference on the posting habits of certain dickheads.

moths are scary because they fly at random. *nod*

Moths are scary because they're trying to mate with lightbulbs in order to create a superspecies of Hyper Moths a la Mothra (http://www.onlyinternet.net/awinterrowd/kaiju/gallery/mothra.jpg)

I personally am not, and I think it's stupid to be afraid of spiders, most of them aren't even poisonous and the ones that are hardly ever really do anything really bad to you, and the ones that do are located in specific areas.

so why are some people afraid of spiders? are they stupid? were they raised up and indoctrinated with spider fear?

answer now.

not afraid of spiders... but I have a friend who is... actually, he says "I hate anything with more legs than me."

me, I just hate walking into a spider web. 1) it feels... freaky... and 2) you now wonder if the spider is now relocated to your hair or other part of your body. (yes, some spiders are small and light enough for you to NOT feel them.)

fear of spiders could be because of many reasons...
1) How they move. some spiders are fast... very fast. leaping great distances or scurring fast enough to startle anyone.

2) Even when we know about webs and such, the vision of a spider 'hovering' in mid air can be a frightening thing to kids... and can draw out old childhood memories.

3) some spiders are dangerous to man. thus the 'fear' of spiders would be the same as ones for snakes, sharks, tigers, etc... and while one's encounter with sharks, tigers, etc are limited, you never know when there's a spider in your bedsheet, pile of laundry, fruit basket...

Fear isn't something to be ashamed about. we all feel fear, I've seen grown Samoan men run from the B-52 (a local term for a large cockroach that can fly.) If someone is afraid, that person shouldn't be ridiculed or made to feel less than anyone else. all that does is make them afraid to show and accept their fear... and that can be dangerous in the long run.

I'm scared of spiders, but it is completely rational. I don't know the differences between species of spiders just by looking at them, so they scare me because if I get bitten I could get seriously sick or die.

Black widows are small, shiny, black spiders (larger than a nickel, but smaller than a quarter as far as I've seen) with a red hourglass shape on their undersides. I'm afraid I don't know what brown barn spiders look like.

Black widows are small, shiny, black spiders (larger than a nickel, but smaller than a quarter as far as I've seen) with a red hourglass shape on their undersides. I'm afraid I don't know what brown barn spiders look like.

http://www.badspiderbites.com/images/brown-recluse-spiders.jpg

another spider to watch out for... the Brown Recluse Spider.

Their venom is nasty... Google it for photos of the results of their venom...

Like Christians, spiders come in many varieties. Most are harmless, many are useful and some are deadly - but they are all at least a little scary.

Like Christians, spiders come in many varieties. Most are harmless, many are useful and some are deadly - but they are all at least a little scary.

I am Gartref. I see I have offended you. I am sorry.

still upset? they continue. Yesterday the statement was made that in order to be a Christian you have to "be living and have an IQ of less than 110"

I could dig up at least 10 posts from this week that say something similar.

Don't believe anything along those lines. I'm Jewish. People have always said the same thing about Jews (only usually in between gunshots), and then take a look at Albert Einstein. Things like that are obviously not true. Don't let them get to you. They're based in prejudiced ignorance, and they're designed to hurt. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

I have 500 posts? Cool. Didn't even see it coming...

I am Gartref. I see I have offended you. I am sorry.

"I did not say this. I am not here." :D

Black widows are small, shiny, black spiders (larger than a nickel, but smaller than a quarter as far as I've seen) with a red hourglass shape on their undersides. I'm afraid I don't know what brown barn spiders look like.

Pics are links btw...

http://walkaboutpark.com.au/UserFiles/Image/MainPhoto/redback-spider.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-back_spider)
Redback spider.

http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/spider/funnelweb.gif (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australasian_funnel-web_spider)
Australasian funnel-web spider.

May as well throw this one out there, it's a beauty! Props to who knows what it is.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/Makis/Cuteness/Ph0301a.jpg

still upset? they continue. Yesterday the statement was made that in order to be a Christian you have to "be living and have an IQ of less than 110"

I could dig up at least 10 posts from this week that say something similar.

I definitely sympathize with you Smukee, the militant athiests on this forum can be real jackasses, arrogantly believing that they have all the answers. Having said that, I can't blame them too much, since like you, they have grown tired of others bashing their beliefs (or lack thereof). Does it make it right? No, but I believe that if we tried to understand one another, the world would be in a lot better shape. Ok, that last sentence makes me sound like a tree-hugging hippie, but I truly believe that society has become too factionalized.

That said, I did like all of the pictures of spiders that people posted. :)

...except for millions covering the ceiling, that just gave me the creeps

EXACTLY!

why are you NOT afraid of something that can make you very sick when it bites you?

Large insects of all kinds give me the willies. I'm just afraid of spiders because they're fucking huge.

still upset? they continue. Yesterday the statement was made that in order to be a Christian you have to "be living and have an IQ of less than 110"

I could dig up at least 10 posts from this week that say something similar.

That's retarded. I had an IQ of 129 when I was a Christian... probabyl the same now.

Feh, I'm an atheist but I'm not militant. If there is a God, good for him. If there isn't, feh. Don't listen to them anyway, especially UB, he's really starting to get on my nerves.

Large insects of all kinds give me the willies. I'm just afraid of spiders because they're fucking huge.

Spiders aren't that big...

May as well throw this one out there, it's a beauty! Props to who knows what it is.
It's a hippie-spider, chiefly identifiable by its tie-dye exoskeleton and vegan diet.

Because they're assholes.

Spiders aren't that big...

a bird eating Spider can be the size of a dinner plate

Spiders aren't that big...

The big ones are.

The big ones are.

But they're not super-big, like banana spiders...

I have seen some really big ones though :eek:

I know damn well that my fear of spider is irrational. But something about the way they walk, the way the legs move... it just really creeps the hell out of me. I really, truly hate them, and I have nightmares about bugs crawling all over me. <shudder> Yes, I know spiders aren't bugs. Bugs creep me out, but not as much as spiders.

I know damn well that my fear of spider is irrational. But something about the way they walk, the way the legs move... it just really creeps the hell out of me. I really, truly hate them, and I have nightmares about bugs crawling all over me. <shudder> Yes, I know spiders aren't bugs. Bugs creep me out, but not as much as spiders.Have you ever watched a spider really close up? I find them just elegant.

I know damn well that my fear of spider is irrational. But something about the way they walk, the way the legs move... it just really creeps the hell out of me. I really, truly hate them, and I have nightmares about bugs crawling all over me. <shudder>

I have nightmares about all sorts of yucky stuff. I feel your pain. ;)

I have nightmares of drowning and getting hit by lightningat once?
strange, I never have nightmares, at least none I can remember. But one of my cats makes funny sounds when he's sleeping uneasy :p

I have nightmares of drowning and getting hit by lightning :(

At the same time?

I have nightmares about all sorts of yucky stuff. I feel your pain. ;)

I have nightmares of drowning and getting hit by lightning :(

I'm fine with them as long as they stay outside. I don't like the hairy ones - some of those eat birds.

Um... birds?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goliath_birdeater

... although if you don't live in a South American jungle...

Despite its name, the Goliath birdeater does not normally eat birds. Rather, it eats mostly invertebrates such as crickets, mealworms and moths, and also small vertebrates such as frogs, mice, and lizards. The Goliath birdeater is one of the few tarantulas which can capture and eat a full-grown mouse.

You were saying?

I definitely sympathize with you Smukee, the militant athiests on this forum can be real jackasses, arrogantly believing that they have all the answers. Having said that, I can't blame them too much, since like you, they have grown tired of others bashing their beliefs (or lack thereof). Does it make it right? No, but I believe that if we tried to understand one another, the world would be in a lot better shape. Ok, that last sentence makes me sound like a tree-hugging hippie, but I truly believe that society has become too factionalized.

That said, I did like all of the pictures of spiders that people posted. :)

...except for millions covering the ceiling, that just gave me the creeps

Hey, let's keep talking about spiders. Militant anybodys can be real jackasses - atheists don't have the market cornered on arrogance.

I grew up in Australia where so many of the little fuckers can kill you or cause you serious harm.

Now I live in the UK however and know that none of the spiders here can actually cause you much more damage than a bee sting and aren't bothered by them at all.

Have you ever watched a spider really close up? I find them just elegant.

Yes. Yes, I have. Then I screamed like a sissy and had a panic attack.

I have nightmares about all sorts of yucky stuff. I feel your pain. ;)

We once lived in a really crappy apt that we paid way too much for. The walls were full of holes, and I left a can of pop out next to the couch once. I got up the next morning and it was covered with ants. They just swarmed over the can and the sight of that almost made me throw up. <shudder>

We once lived in a really crappy apt that we paid way too much for. The walls were full of holes, and I left a can of pop out next to the couch once. I got up the next morning and it was covered with ants. They just swarmed over the can and the sight of that almost made me throw up. <shudder>?? Ants are cute.
http://dfe.goldenagecartoons.com/images/ant-aardvark/ant-aardvark.jpg


Yes. Yes, I have. Then I screamed like a sissy and had a panic attack.Why? Humans are not exactly on any spider's menu...

and yet, if you sign onto my theory that spiders are scary and will bite you, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

so why not decide to be afraid of spiders?

My wife is afraid of spiders, and kills them on sight. I am not afraid of spiders and ignore them. In deference to her phobia I will, if she is present, pick up a spider and put it outside. In deference to my fondness for spiders, she won't kill them in my presence.

Since marrying me, she has never once been bitten by a mosquito. She has however had to clean up a few cobwebs (I ignore those too).

We once lived in a really crappy apt that we paid way too much for. The walls were full of holes, and I left a can of pop out next to the couch once. I got up the next morning and it was covered with ants. They just swarmed over the can and the sight of that almost made me throw up. <shudder>

I used to live in an apartment that had a huge and problem. I was always accustomed to leaving my honey jars on the kitchen counter. I wasn't about to start keeping it in the fridge, so I started keeping it in a bowl of water. Ants aren't good swimmers.

Ummmm..... Changed my mind. Spiders are our friends:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3387228,00.html

We once lived in a really crappy apt that we paid way too much for. The walls were full of holes, and I left a can of pop out next to the couch once. I got up the next morning and it was covered with ants. They just swarmed over the can and the sight of that almost made me throw up. <shudder>

When we first moved in to our place, we had a problem with ants - they were drawn, through our bathroom window (which didn't close properly) to our medecine cabinet. What was attracting them? Mint-flavoured mouthwash. They had crawled right up the inside of the cap to get at the crusted, aromatic film therein.

We switched to the original, non-flavoured Listerine immediately thereafter, and our ant problem went away.

?? Ants are cute.
http://dfe.goldenagecartoons.com/images/ant-aardvark/ant-aardvark.jpg


Not the ones in our state. Michigan breeds big ants. And mosquitoes...

Why? Humans are not exactly on any spider's menu...

See above re: phobias not being rational.

When we first moved in to our place, we had a problem with ants - they were drawn, through our bathroom window (which didn't close properly) to our medecine cabinet. What was attracting them? Mint-flavoured mouthwash. They had crawled right up the inside of the cap to get at the crusted, aromatic film therein.

We switched to the original, non-flavoured Listerine immediately thereafter, and our ant problem went away.

I just love those plastic ant traps. I love encouraging them to eat, eat! You're only eating your DOOM!Bwahahahaha.... Erm... Yes, I do like those traps. They get rid of the whole colony quite nicely.

Something seems familiar about this thread........


Daddy-Long-Legs aren't spiders, they're insects. They have 6 legs and wings.
They are also(I have heard, so take this with a pinch of salt) tremendously poisonous, and could easily kill a human if they wanted to eat us.

They only have 6 legs?! The ones I've seen have had eight. And none of them had ever had wings...

And they are not remotely poisonous, they are actually very harmless to humans.

Why? Humans are not exactly on any spider's menu...

If we were then spiders would be much bigger.

They only have 6 legs?! The ones I've seen have had eight. And none of them had ever had wings...

And they are not remotely poisonous, they are actually very harmless to humans.

I had always hear that they were one of the most poisonous spiders around, but perfectly harmless to humans as their mouths are too small to bite us. Now I must go find the truth!

Because they are only meant for a more refined palate.:p

I had always hear that they were one of the most poisonous spiders around, but perfectly harmless to humans as their mouths are too small to bite us. Now I must go find the truth!

Busted! The MythBusters did this one. Jamie got bitten by lots of daddy longlegs and was just fine!

Linky! (http://spiders.ucr.edu/daddylonglegs.html)

And just so you know, I braved a spider site, with pictures of spiders on it. The sacrifices one makes...

Busted! The MythBusters did this one. Jamie got bitten by lots of daddy longlegs and was just fine!

Linky! (http://spiders.ucr.edu/daddylonglegs.html)

And just so you know, I braved a spider site, with pictures of spiders on it. The sacrifices one makes...

Awesome. Thanks for the link. I remember seeing them in the bathroom all the time when I was a kid. Our house had a lot of spiders. I was never afraid of them because I was told they were perfectly safe. It wasn't until much later that I heard they were supposedly poisonous. Glad to know they've been redeemed.

1. Your confusing Daddy-long-legs with Mosquito hawks.
2. Total myth. They even proved it on the "Mythbusters" TV show.

I heard they are very poisonous but their mouths are such that they can't break human skin. I could be completely wrong, though.

Change that from COULD BE to AM.

Beats the hell out of me. This one girl I work with is so afraid of them that she almost throws up if you just say "spider."

Awesome. Thanks for the link. I remember seeing them in the bathroom all the time when I was a kid. Our house had a lot of spiders. I was never afraid of them because I was told they were perfectly safe. It wasn't until much later that I heard they were supposedly poisonous. Glad to know they've been redeemed.

I played with them when I was little. :D

Reminds me of a joke I heard... it's a really stupid joke though...
One day a man and his daughter are sitting on their front porch, when the daughter notices some daddy-long-legs.

"Daddy, what's that?" she asks.
"It's a daddy long legs honey," the dad says.

The daughter points to another one. "Is that a mommy long legs?"
"No honey," the dad answers. "That's a daddy long legs too."

The daughter goes over to the daddy long legs and squishes them. "We'll have none of THAT is our house!" I know, it totally sucks... *flees*

I have nightmares of drowning and getting hit by lightning :(

I have a nightmare where a tornado comes in the middle of the night and I don't hear the sirens and I am trapped under rubble and my kids need help and my husband is dead and I can't get to them and they die........it sucks. I can't go back to sleep after it, I just keep having flash backs. :(

I have a nightmare where a tornado comes in the middle of the night and I don't hear the sirens and I am trapped under rubble and my kids need help and my husband is dead and I can't get to them and they die........it sucks. I can't go back to sleep after it, I just keep having flash backs. :(

That was the funniest thing I ever read... up until I got to the sirens, and realised something was wrong. Of course, I am kind of sleepy, so I mis-read 'tornado' as 'tomato'....

Spiders are just ugly. I'm not afraid of spiders, I just don't prefer being near them. But, of course, I'm not a freak like WYTYG, who has panic attacks when she sees pictures of them on the computer.

Spiders are just ugly. I'm not afraid of spiders, I just don't prefer being near them. But, of course, I'm not a freak like WYTYG, who has panic attacks when she sees pictures of them on the computer.
Spiders aren't ugly! They're cute! (http://homepage.mac.com/wildlifeweb/invertebrate/european_cross_spider/european_cross_spider_04tfk.jpg)

Spiders aren't ugly! They're cute! (http://homepage.mac.com/wildlifeweb/invertebrate/european_cross_spider/european_cross_spider_04tfk.jpg)

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/9053/omgwtf2copyaa9.jpg

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/9053/omgwtf2copyaa9.jpg

Gosh Ruffers, at least I only link (http://magickcanoe.com/spiders/flower-spider-eyes-large.jpg) to my imagespam!

Speaking of which, has anyone here got a phobia about cats?

I don't btw. It just seems logical given that tigers were once a real threat to people, and a housecat is virtually identical except for being smaller.

I personally am not, and I think it's stupid to be afraid of spiders, most of them aren't even poisonous and the ones that are hardly ever really do anything really bad to you, and the ones that do are located in specific areas.

so why are some people afraid of spiders? are they stupid? were they raised up and indoctrinated with spider fear?

answer now.

ALL spiders are VENOMOUS

sorry.... I'm being technical, but it's true! ;)

most lack the power to break human skin with their bite. Many have venom so weak it's un-noticeable if it did bite, and there are only 4 species I think that are classed as properly deadly and they're all in Australia. There are some others like the black widow who has caused few fatalities but not as potent as made out to be. Usually with venom like that it depends where you were bitten and how your body deals with it. Bee stings after all can kill some people.

When I was 8 I had a huntsman run up my leg and I couldn't get it out. It was such a horrible feeling. Since then I've been terrified of them.

I have a nightmare where a tornado comes in the middle of the night and I don't hear the sirens and I am trapped under rubble and my kids need help and my husband is dead and I can't get to them and they die........it sucks. I can't go back to sleep after it, I just keep having flash backs. :(I think most people has nightmares along those lines, myself included.

I have a nightmare where a tornado comes in the middle of the night and I don't hear the sirens and I am trapped under rubble and my kids need help and my husband is dead and I can't get to them and they die........it sucks. I can't go back to sleep after it, I just keep having flash backs. :(

I have nightmares where I'll be doing something I normally do and then a storm comes up, then I get hit by lightning and I wake up instantly but I can't move.

Once I woke up after one of those and literally couldn't move, and I couldn't see either because the blanket was over my head :(

I lived in an apartment once that was not overtly verminous, but it did have an issue with tiny little black ants that would get into any food left out for any length of time.

One day I got home from my student cashier job, footsore, weary and famished after a 12 hour shift only to find that last night's half a pizza had been carelessly left out on the counter. "Ah nertz" I thought. "It will be ruined."

Did I mention I was really, really hungry and tired? I checked the pizza. No ants. I thought maybe they had come and gone. I decided that I didn't care if the pizza had footprints on it. It wasn't like it was roaches - it was just harmless little wee black ants, right?

I threw the pizza in the microwave and heated it up. I was halfway through the last slice when the congealing cheese slipped off in that beautiful way it does and I saw where all the ants had gone off to. They had crawled under the toppings and were crawling around the crust like a tomato-flavoured ant farm: or had been anyway, up to the point when I nuked them.

Interestingly enough, I never had ant problems again after that. Based on the corpse density of that half slice, I suspect I ate the entire colony.